Use of electrochemical microsensors for hydrodynamics study in crossing microchannels

作者：Huchet Florian^*; Havlica Jaromir; Legentilhomme Patrick; Montillet Agnes; Comiti Jacques; Tihon Jaroslav

来源：Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2008, 5(1): 55-64.

DOI：10.1007/s10404-007-0220-1

• crossing microchannel
• electrodiffusion technique
• wall shear rate
• CFD modelling
• micromixer

The study of microfluidic systems is an important research challenge related to the design of microdevices for chemical processes. The understanding of physical phenomena, such as flow behaviour and heat and mass transfer performance is needed in order to develop these microsystems for industrial applications as mixers, reactors or heat exchangers. This work aims at characterizing two flow pattern behaviours, by using an electrochemical method, in a microdevice composed of crossing microchannels. A nonintrusive electrodiffusion method involving an electrochemical reaction of active species on an electrode flush-mounted into a wall is used to investigate wall shear stress. The measured limiting diffusion current is related to the wall shear rate in the vicinity of the electrode. The experimental cell consists of two crossing microchannels intersecting at right angle. Two channels sections are investigated, respectively 500 and 833 mu m in hydraulic diameter. In each case, the influence of the crossing on the flow behaviour and on the mixing performance are characterized locally by using microelectrodes implemented at several positions on the wall of the channels located after the crossing. The experimental results are analyzed and a comparison with the results of CFD simulations using Fluent is performed.

• 出版日期2008-7