Effects of Geometric Parameters on Mixing Efficiency and Optimization in Variable Cross Section Microchannels

Micromixers are important devices used in many fields for various applications which provide high mixing efficiencies and reduce the amount of reagents and samples. In addition, effective premixing of reactants is essential for obtaining high reaction rates. In order to further improve the mixing performance, three-dimensional numerical simulations and optimizations of the flow and mixing characteristics within a variable cross section T-shaped micromixer were carried out. The effects of the geometric parameters containing channel diameter, channel shape, channel contraction and expansion ratio, and number of expansion units on the mixing were investigated with the evaluation criteria of mixing index and performance index. The optimized geometric parameters of the channel were a diameter of 0.2 mm, the shape of Sem channel, an expansion ratio of 1:3, and a number of expansion units of 7, respectively. It can be showed that the mixing efficiency of the optimized micromixer was greatly improved, and the mixing index at different velocities could reach up to more than 0.98.