Analysis of a Novel Y Y Micromixer for Mixing at a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers

Abstract

A novel passive micromixer, denoted as the YY mixer, based on splitandrecombine (SAR) principle is proposed and studied both experimentally and numerically over Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 100. Two species are supplied to a prototype via a Y inlet, and flow through four identical elements repeated in series; the width of the mixing channel varies from 0.4 to 0.6 mm, while depth is 0.4 mm. An image analysis technique was used to evaluate mixture homogeneity at four target areas along the mixer. Numerical simulations were found to be a useful support for observing the complex threedimensional flow inside the channels. Comparison with a known mixer, the teardrop one, based on the same SAR principle, was also performed, to have a point of reference for evaluating performances. A good agreement was found between numerical and experimental results. Over the examined range of Reynolds numbers Re, the YY micromixer showed at its exit an almost flat mixing characteristic, with a mixing efficiency higher than 0.9; conversely, the teardrop mixer showed a relevant decrease of efficiency at the midrange. The good performance of the YY micromixer is due to the threedimensional 90 deg change of direction that occurs in its channel geometry, which causes a fluid swirling already at the midrange of Reynolds numbers. Consequently, the fluid path is lengthened and the interfacial area of species is increased, compensating for the residence time reduction.