(541i) Flow Regimes in a T-Junction Micro-Channel Using Lattice Boltzmann Method

Two phase flows in microfluidic channels show different flow patterns like stratified flow, slug flow, droplet flow etc. The different flow patterns observed depend on the operating parameters and geometry of the system. These influence the various forces acting on the fluids i.e. inertial forces, interfacial forces and viscous forces which in turn determine the resulting flow pattern. There have been extensive studies to quantify the different flow regimes and their transitions observed based on experiments and simulations. We adopt an approach from the mesoscopic scale as it is computationally elegant and captures the physics of flows dominated by viscosity and surface tension. Lattice Boltzmann Method is used as the numerical tool to simulate a macroscopic Diffuse Interface Model. The framework based on the He-Chen-Zhang Model is adopted. A flow regime map is obtained and compared with experiments in the literature (Zhao et al, AIChE J., 52: 4052-4060). The limitations and advantages of using this approach are discussed. Different modifications to the He Chen Zhang Model are proposed and their predictions are compared with experiments.