Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A note on using VOF method for polymer bead manufacturing

  • Research Communication
  • Published:
International Journal of Plastics Technology

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

The production of mono-dispersed spherical and non-spherical polymer beads and capsules using micro-fluidics requires precise control of dispersed phase which are distributed in a continuous phase. The prediction of two phase or three phase flow patterns in the mini/micro channels finds its application in production process of such spherical polymers. In the present work a numerical model based flow analysis is done for creation of the spherical/non spherical dispersed air bubbles in a continuous liquid phase. The results are validated with experiments done in a similar liquid–gas flow experiments carried out in a glass mini channel of size 2.05 mm. The flow regime is recorded with a high speed camera. The volume of fluid model in ANSYS Fluent software is used to predict the flow pattern details numerically. The model can be effectively used for predicting the size behavior in such spherical/non-spherical polymer bead production.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

References

  1. Nie Z, Shengqing X, Seo M, Lewis CP, Kumacheva E (2005) Polymer processing with various shapes and morphologies produced in continuous microfluidic reactors. J Am Chem Soc 127(22):8058–8063

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Shui L, Eijkel JCT, Van Den Berg A (2007) Multiphase flow in microfluidic system—control and applications of droplets and interfaces. Adv Coll Interface Sci 133(1):35–49

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Yang QY, Han YF, Liu WX, Zhang HX, Ren YY, Jin ND (2017) Investigation on the effect of polymer in vertical oil–water two phase flow using nonlinear analysis. Exp Thermal Fluid Sci 80:1–18

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Engl W, Tachibana M, Panizza P, Backov R (2007) Millifluidic as a versatile reactor to tune size and aspect ratio of large polymerized objects. Int J Multiph Flow 33(8):897–903

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Desamala AB, Dasamahapatra AK, Mandal TK (2014) Oil–water two phase flow characteristics in horizontal pipeline-a compressive CFD study. Int J Chem Mol Eng 8(4):360–364

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kashid MN, Kowalinski W, Renken A, Baldyga J, Kiwi-Minsker L (2012) Analytical method to predict two phase flow pattern in horizontal micro-capillaries. Chem Eng Sci 74:219–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hohne T (2010) Experimental and numerical simulation of horizontal two phase flow regimes. J Comput Multiph Flows 2(3):131–143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Hickox CE (1971) Instability due to viscosity and density stratification in axisymmetric pipe flow. Phys Fluid 14(2):251–262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Sowinski J, Dziubinski M, Fidos H (2009) Velocity and gas void fraction I two phase liquid gas flow in narrow mini channels. Arch Mech 61(1):29–40

    Google Scholar 

  10. Gada VH, Datta D, Sharma A (2013) Analytical and numerical study for two phase stratified flow in a plane channel subjected to different thermal boundary conditions. Int J Therm Sci 71:88–102

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Seshadri A, Mahadevan S, Muniyandi V (2015) Measurement of liquid film thickness in air—water two phase flows in conventional and mini channels using image processing. Korean J Chem Eng 32:826–836

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, 613401, India

    S. K. Thirumalaikumaran, N. Mithran, R. Suwathy & M. Venkatesan

Authors
  1. S. K. Thirumalaikumaran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. N. Mithran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Suwathy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. Venkatesan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Venkatesan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Thirumalaikumaran, S.K., Mithran, N., Suwathy, R. et al. A note on using VOF method for polymer bead manufacturing. Int J Plast Technol 22, 170–176 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-018-9209-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12588-018-9209-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation