Abstract
A novel magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) micro-mixer is proposed in this current study, and performed is the numerical analysis of the mixing features of two different electrolyte solutions in this device with the uniformly applied magnetic field. This fluidic device is designed in a minimized size, with mixing and pumping functions. In this device, there exist two or three curved-walled regions responsible for mixing or pumping, and three or four rectangular ducts for the inflow-, middle-, and outflow-channels. The current, induced from two different electrodes applying different electric potentials, is coupled with the applied magnetic field, yielding Lorentz force to propel the two solutions to mix. Within the mixer, the fluid is directed to flow along the curved surface in the curved-walled regions, and to move forward to the outlet. CFX code is utilized to analyze the flow characteristics. This study investigates the mixing efficiency in diverse cases with different voltages of the electrodes and with different geometries of the mixing region. The results testify that the novel mixer shows higher mixing performance when higher input voltages (absolute value) are applied to the electrodes of the mixing region, when the input voltages (absolute value) applied to the electrodes of the pumping region is lower, and when more mixing regions are adopted.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by National R&D Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology & Ministry of Knowledge Economy (2015M1A7A1A0 2050613).
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Recommended by Associate Editor Seok Pil Jang
Chang Nyung Kim is a Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Korea. His research interests include numerical analysis of magne-tohydro-dynamics and thermoelectricity.
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Chen, Y., Fan, X. & Kim, C.N. A new electromagnetic micromixer for the mixing of two electrolyte solutions. J Mech Sci Technol 33, 5989–5998 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-1143-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-019-1143-y