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Novel no-moving-part valves for microfluidic devices

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Abstract

This study characterizes and analyzes the performances of micro diffusers/nozzles with five types of enhancement structures and one of conventional micro nozzle/diffuser valve. The pressure drops across the designed micro nozzles/diffusers are found to be increased considerably when the obstacle and fin structure are added. Further, the micro nozzle/diffuser having added circular area reveals the lowest pressure drop, owing to the hydraulic diameter is increased by circular area and lower interface friction. The maximum improvement of the loss coefficient ratio is about 16% for an added 3-fin structure operated at a Reynolds number around 70. Upon this situation, the static rectification efficiency improves 4.43 times than the conventional nozzle/diffuser. Experimental results indicate the performance peaks at a Reynolds number around 70, and an appreciable decline is encountered when the Reynolds number is reduced. It is due to the efficiency ratio of conventional micro nozzle/diffuser significant increases with the Reynolds number.

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Abbreviations

A :

Cross-sectional area (m2)

C :

Perimeter (m)

D h :

Hydraulic diameter (m)

f :

Friction factor

H :

Depth (m)

L :

Length (m)

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flowrate (kg/s)

Re :

Re number

\( \overline{u} \) :

Mean velocity (m/s)

V :

Velocity (m/s)

W :

Throat width (m)

x :

Position from the neck (m)

θ :

Opening angle (°)

α :

Aspect ratio

μ :

Dynamic viscosity (Ns/m2)

η :

Ratio of the loss coefficient of nozzle and diffuser

ε :

Static rectification efficiency

ξ:

Total pressure loss coefficient

ρ:

Density (kg/m3)

ΔP :

Pressure drop (Pa)

1:

Region 1

2:

Region 2

3:

Region 3

x :

Position of neck

d, diff:

Diffuser

n, nozzle:

Nozzle

+:

Positive

−:

Negative

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to the financial support from the Bureau of Energy and Department of Industrial Technology, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan and National Science Council of Taiwan under the contract no. of NSC 98-2218-E-151-001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electro-Optical and Energy Engineering, MingDao University, Changhua, 52345, Taiwan

    Kai-Shing Yang

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Yunlin, 64002, Taiwan

    Ing-Youn Chen

  3. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan

    Chi-Chuan Wang

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, 80778, Taiwan

    Jin-Cherng Shyu

Authors
  1. Kai-Shing Yang
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  2. Ing-Youn Chen
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  3. Chi-Chuan Wang
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  4. Jin-Cherng Shyu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jin-Cherng Shyu.

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Yang, KS., Chen, IY., Wang, CC. et al. Novel no-moving-part valves for microfluidic devices. Microsyst Technol 16, 1691–1697 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-010-1069-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-010-1069-x

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