Velocity profiles and friction factor analysis of liquid flow in microstructured microchannel

Abstract

In this work, simulations were performed for the flow of water through rough microchannel taking into consideration a pressure-driven flow. Analysis on pressure drop, friction factor and velocity profile have been investigated by varying inlet velocity corresponding to Reynolds numbers (0.056-560) at the channel inlet region. Simulation results reveal friction factor for microchannel decreases as the liquid inlet velocity is increased with distinct pressure drop at microstructure region. Slip velocities were observed at sidewalls for high Reynolds numbers. Simulations were carried out using commercial code software ANSYS CFX 11.0.