Modelling double emulsion formation in planar flow-focusing microchannels

DOI10.1017/JFM.2020.299zbMATH Open1460.76018arXiv1906.01034OpenAlexW3106270677MaRDI QIDQ5111055FDOQ5111055

Haihu Liu, Ningning Wang, C. H. Zhang, H. Kusumaatmaja, Ciro Semprebon

Publication date: 26 May 2020

Published in: Journal of Fluid Mechanics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Double emulsion formation in a hierarchical flow-focusing channel is systematically investigated using a free energy ternary lattice Boltzmann model. A three dimensional formation regime diagram is constructed based on the capillary numbers of the inner ($C{a}_i$), middle ($C{a}_m$) and outer ($C{a}_o$) phase fluids. The results show that the formation diagram can be classified into periodic two-step region, periodic one-step region, and non-periodic region. By varying $C{a}_i$ and $C{a}_m$ in the two-step formation region, different morphologies are obtained, including the regular double emulsions, decussate regimes with one or two alternate empty droplets, and structures with multiple inner droplets contained in the continuous middle phase thread. Bidisperse behaviors are also frequently encountered in the two-step formation region. In the periodic one-step formation region, scaling laws are proposed for the double emulsion size and for the size ratio between the inner droplet and the overall double emulsion. Furthermore, we show that the interfacial tension ratio can greatly change the morphologies of the obtained emulsion droplets, and the channel geometry plays an important role in changing the formation regimes and the double emulsion sizes. In particular, narrowing the side inlets or the distance between the two side inlets promotes the conversion from the two-step formation regime to the one-step formation regime.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1906.01034

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zbMATH Keywords

computational methodsmicrofluidicsemulsions

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Non-Newtonian fluids (76A05) Interface problems; diffusion-limited aggregation in time-dependent statistical mechanics (82C24)

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Cited In (10)

• OpenLB -- open source lattice Boltzmann code
• Reduction in vacuum phenomenon for the triple junction in the ternary Cahn-Hilliard model
• The lattice Boltzmann method for nearly incompressible flows
• Deformation and breakup behaviors of a Giesekus viscoelastic droplet in Newtonian shear flow
• Jump mass transfer for double emulsion systems
• Modeling self-assembly and capture phenomenon of two droplets in high aspect ratio microchannels
• Simulation of the double emulsion formation through a hierarchical T-junction microchannel
• A hybrid continuum surface tension force for the three-phase VOF method
• Binary fluid flow simulations with free energy lattice Boltzmann methods
• Viscoelastic effects on the deformation and breakup of a droplet on a solid wall in Couette flow

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