Numerical Investigations of a Passive Micromixer Based on Minkowski Fractal Principle

Abstract

Abstract This paper is mainly to study the mixing efficiency and pressure drop of the Minkowski fractal obstacle micromixers. The mixing efficiency of primary Minkowski fractal obstacle (PMFO) micromixer and secondary Minkowski fractal obstacle (SMFO) micromixer are compared at five kinds of Reynolds numbers. With the increase of obstacle height and the decrease of distance, the chaotic convection in the microchannel is enhanced. Especially at obstacle height (h)\u2009=\u20090.2\u2006mm, obstacle distance (D)\u2009=\u20090.15\u2006mm, and Re\u2009=\u2009100, the vortex caused by the Minkowski fractal obstacle structure is more obvious. In addition, vortex phenomenon increases the contact area of two fluids and enhances chaotic convection. It shows that the flow direction of the fluid in the microchannel varies significantly.