Motion and equilibrium position of elliptical and rectangular particles in a channel flow of a power-law fluid

Numerical method investigation on the aggregation characteristics of non-spherical particles

Under the background of the mechanical mechanism research of microfluidic technology for separating and screening pipeline particulate matter, this paper proposes an improved relative motion model by combining the multiple reference frame method and the relative motion model. Worked with a quasi-fixed constant method, this model can numerically calculate the aggregation features of non-spherical particles in the low Reynolds number channels. The results demonstrate that when Re = 40~80, ellipsoids exhibit an aggregation trend similar to circular particles with the same diameter as its largest circumscribed sphere. The aggregation position is affected by the ratio of long and short axes of particles, and the distribution trend is determined by the relative size of these particles. When the channel's Reynolds number is less than the critical Reynolds number, the aggregation position of elliptical particles will be closer to the pipe center with the increase in the Reynolds number, which is contrary to the aggregation tendency of circular particles more proximate to the pipe wall with the increase in the Reynolds number. This finding provides a novel idea and method for further exploring the aggregation rules of non-spherical particles and offers substantial guidance for separating and monitoring pipeline particulate matter via microfluidic technology and other related industrial applications.

Fabrication and Manipulation of Non-Spherical Particles in Microfluidic Channels: A Review

Non-spherical shape is a general appearance feature for bioparticles. Therefore, a mechanical mechanism study of non-spherical particle migration in a microfluidic chip is essential for more precise isolation of target particles. With the manipulation of non-spherical particles, refined disease detection or medical intervention for human beings will be achievable in the future. In this review, fabrication and manipulation of non-spherical particles are discussed. Firstly, various fabrication methods for non-spherical microparticle are introduced. Then, the active and passive manipulation techniques for non-spherical particles are briefly reviewed, including straight inertial microchannels, secondary flow inertial microchannels and deterministic lateral displacement microchannels with extremely high resolution. Finally, applications of viscoelastic flow are presented which obviously increase the precision of non-spherical particle separation. Although various techniques have been employed to improve the performance of non-spherical particle manipulation, the universal mechanism behind this has not been fully discussed. The aim of this review is to provide a reference for non-spherical particle manipulation study researchers in every detail and inspire thoughts for non-spherical particle focused device design.

Steady State of Motion of Two Particles in Poiseuille Flow of Power-Law Fluid

The steady state of motion of two particles in Poiseuille flow of power-law fluid is numerically studied using the lattice Boltzmann method in the range of Reynolds number 20 ≤ Re ≤ 60, diameter ratio of two particles 0.125 ≤ β ≤ 2.4, and power-law index of the fluid 0.4 ≤ n ≤ 1.2. Some results are validated by comparing with other available results. The effects of Re, β, and n on the steady state of motion of two particles are discussed. The results show that, for two particles of the same diameter, the particle spacing l in the steady state is independent of n. In shear-thinning fluid, l increases rapidly at first and then slowly, finally approaching a constant for different Re. In shear-thickening fluid, although l tends to be stable in the end, the values of l after stabilization are different. For two particles of different sizes, l does not always reach a stable state, and whether it reaches a stable state depends on n. When the small particle is downstream, l increases rapidly at first and then slowly in shear-thickening fluid, but increases rapidly at first and then decreases slowly, finally approaching a constant in a shear-thinning fluid. In shear-thinning fluid, the larger n is, the smaller l is. In shear-thickening fluid, β has no effect on l in steady-state. When the large particle is downstream, l increases rapidly at first and then slowly in shear-thinning fluid but increases rapidly at first and then decreases in a shear-thickening fluid. The effect of n on l in the steady state is obvious. In shear-thinning fluid, l increases rapidly at first and then slowly, the larger Re is, the smaller l is. In shear- thickening fluid, l will reach a stable state.