A Review on the Hydrodynamics of Taylor Flow in Microchannels: Experimental and Computational Studies

Abstract

Taylor flow is a strategy-aimed flow to transfer conventional single-phase into a more efficient two-phase flow resulting in an enhanced momentum/heat/mass transfer rate, as well as a multitude of other advantages. To date, Taylor flow has focused on the processes involving gas–liquid and liquid–liquid two-phase systems in microchannels over a wide range of applications in biomedical, pharmaceutical, industrial, and commercial sectors. Appropriately micro-structured design is, therefore, a key consideration for equipment dealing with transport phenomena. This review paper highlights the hydrodynamic aspects of gas–liquid and liquid–liquid two-phase flows in microchannels. It covers state-of-the-art experimental and numerical methods in the literature for analyzing and simulating slug flows in circular and non-circular microchannels. The review’s main objective is to identify the considerable opportunity for further development of microflows and provide suggestions for researchers in the field. Available correlations proposed for the transition of flow patterns are presented. A review of the literature of flow regime, slug length, and pressure drop is also carried out.