Numerical investigation of a fiber web effect on the pressure drop and particles collection in a microchannel

Abstract

In this paper pressure drop and particle deposition in a microchannel with a hydraulic diameter of 225 micrometer is investigated numerically. Several hundred micron length fibers caught at the entrance of the channels making a "fiber web" also is modeled in this research. Governing equations for the flow field are solved with an Eulerian approach while the equations of particle motion in the flow are solved by a Lagrangian approach. Assuming the symmetry in the domain, one channel and the corresponding plenum are studied in the computational domain. For studying the effects of fibers in the flow, two fiber webs with four and six solid fibers are studied. The increase of pressure drop in the microchannel because of the entrance fiber web is computed and discussed. Also deposition and collection of the particles with various diameters at the fiber webs are also presented. Copyright © 2009 by ASME.