Computational Modeling and Analysis of Fluid Structure Interaction in Micromixers with Deformable Baffle

Abstract

Abstract A passive micromixer with obstacles in the form of deformable baffles is examined numerically. The model deploys an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian framework with Fluid-structure interaction coupled with a diffusion–advection model. Numerical analysis is carried out in the Reynolds number [Re] range of 0.01≤Re≤300. The objective of the present study is to enhance mixing between two component flow streams in a microchannel encompassing a deformable baffle. In the present work, the baffle deforms only due to the dynamic force of fluids. No external forces are applied. To exemplify the effectiveness of the present design, water and a suspension of curcumin drug loaded nanoparticles are taken as two fluids. Mixing index based on the variance of the local concentration of the suspension is employed to appraise the mixing performance of the micromixer. The introduction of the deformable baffle in a micromixer proliferates the mixing performance with minimal pressure drop over the tested Reynolds number range.