SCI和EI收录∣中国化工学会会刊

Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering ›› 2022, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 153-161.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2021.08.007

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Formation dynamics and size prediction of bubbles for slurry system in T-shape microchannel

Zhen Chen1, Chunying Zhu1, Taotao Fu1, Xiqun Gao2, Youguang Ma1   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
    2 Yifang Industry Corporation, Liaoyang Petrochemical Fiber Company, Liaoyang 111003, China
  • Received:2021-04-21 Revised:2021-08-11 Online:2022-06-22 Published:2022-05-28
  • Contact: Chunying Zhu,E-mail:zhchy971@tju.edu.cn;Youguang Ma,E-mail:ygma@tju.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21978197 and 21776200).

Formation dynamics and size prediction of bubbles for slurry system in T-shape microchannel

Zhen Chen1, Chunying Zhu1, Taotao Fu1, Xiqun Gao2, Youguang Ma1   

  1. 1 State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China;
    2 Yifang Industry Corporation, Liaoyang Petrochemical Fiber Company, Liaoyang 111003, China
  • 通讯作者: Chunying Zhu,E-mail:zhchy971@tju.edu.cn;Youguang Ma,E-mail:ygma@tju.edu.cn
  • 基金资助:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21978197 and 21776200).

Abstract: The bubble formation dynamics and size manipulation in the slurry of polystyrene microspheres in the microfluidic T-junction were visually investigated by a high-speed camera. Based on the evolution of the bubble neck with time, the formation process of bubbles is divided into three stages: filling, squeezing and pinch-off. The particle concentration has an obvious effect on the squeezing stage, while less impact on the filling and pinch-off stages. In the squeezing stage, the evolution of the dimensionless minimum neck width of bubbles with time could be described by a power-law relationship. The increase of the particle concentration or continuous phase flow rate could lead to the increase of body flow of the continuous phase and the enhancement of the squeezing force acted on the bubble neck, correspondingly, the power-law index α in the squeezing stage enlarges. Moreover, the bubble size increases with the increase of the gas phase flow rate and the decrease of the particle concentration and continuous phase flow rate. However, the effect of the particle concentration on the bubble size weakens with the increase of the continuous phase flow rate. In addition, a new prediction correlation of the bubble size for the slurry system in a T-shape microchannel was proposed with good prediction accuracy.

Key words: Microfluidic, T-shape microchannel, Bubble, Slurry, Dynamics

摘要: The bubble formation dynamics and size manipulation in the slurry of polystyrene microspheres in the microfluidic T-junction were visually investigated by a high-speed camera. Based on the evolution of the bubble neck with time, the formation process of bubbles is divided into three stages: filling, squeezing and pinch-off. The particle concentration has an obvious effect on the squeezing stage, while less impact on the filling and pinch-off stages. In the squeezing stage, the evolution of the dimensionless minimum neck width of bubbles with time could be described by a power-law relationship. The increase of the particle concentration or continuous phase flow rate could lead to the increase of body flow of the continuous phase and the enhancement of the squeezing force acted on the bubble neck, correspondingly, the power-law index α in the squeezing stage enlarges. Moreover, the bubble size increases with the increase of the gas phase flow rate and the decrease of the particle concentration and continuous phase flow rate. However, the effect of the particle concentration on the bubble size weakens with the increase of the continuous phase flow rate. In addition, a new prediction correlation of the bubble size for the slurry system in a T-shape microchannel was proposed with good prediction accuracy.

关键词: Microfluidic, T-shape microchannel, Bubble, Slurry, Dynamics