Development of a 2D diffuse interface model to analyze the hydrodynamic resistance of two-phase flows for various wall conditions in microchannels

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF HYDRODYNAMIC RESISTANCE IN MICROCHANNELS WITH CHEMICALLY OR TOPOGRAPHICALLY PATTERNED WALLS

Supervisors: Jung Min Oh and Frieder Mugele

Introduction

The behavior of two-phase flows in confined geometries has been subject of investigation due to its wide-range implications, for example in oil recovery in porous media. The flow of oil and water through porous rock can be modeled by the flow of a droplet through a liquid-filled microchannel. The presence of wall heterogeneities or a droplet alters the flow field, and changes the hydrodynamic resistance of the channel.

Project objective

The objective is: Development of a 2D diffuse interface model to analyze the hydrodynamic resistance of two-phase flows for various wall conditions in microchannels.

The assignment consists of several steps:

1	Verification of the analysis method (diffuse interface method) by solving the conventional Bretherton problem in axisymmetric or 2D channels.

2	Calculation of velocity and pressure fields, and hydrodynamic resistance in case of a drop in a plain microchannel.

3	Development of a 2D diffuse interface model taking into account the additional Laplace pressure due to the channel height, and the effect of corner flows.

4	Investigation of pinning/depinning phenomena and the effect of roughness in topographically textured microchannels

5	Development of a hydrodynamic resistance model taking into account the wettability or roughness of the channel walls.

6	Theoretical interpretation of numerical simulations and comparison with experimental results.

If you would like to have more information about this thesis assignment, please contact Jung Min Oh (j.m.oh@tnw.utwente.nl) or Frieder Mugele (f.mugele@utwente.nl).