Numerical Simulation of Velocity Distribution among Microchannels with Bifurcation Structures as Manifolds

Abstract

Manifold structure shows important effects on the velocity distribution among parallel microchannels. The bifurcation structure was adopted as the manifolds of microchannel array in a plane and a specific case was illustrated to estimate the effects of structural parameters on the velocity distribution using numerical simulation. Simulation result indicated that the velocity distribution appeared to be double W-shape, and somewhat symmetrical. In addition, the velocity values in each W-shape distribution also appeared symmetrical. It also indicated that two bifurcation channels from the same low-level bifurcation channel had different velocity values due to different singular losses. Larger microchannel length, smaller microchannel width or depth, larger RW or RL, suitable RZ were favor in obtaining relatively uniform velocity distribution among microchannels.

Computational fluid dynamics simulations to improve performance characteristics of a manifold having a central inlet and outlet

“…The distribution of fluids in microscopic manifolds has increased over the past decade. Wei et al (2010) studied the effects of structural parameters on velocity distribution using numerical simulation of bifurcation structures as the manifolds of microchannel arrays in a plane (Figure 1B). The arrays considered by the authors were symmetric in nature.…”