Design and Analysis of a Passive Micromixer Based on Multiple Passages

We propose a novel passive micromixer based on multiple passages and analyze its mixing performance comprehensively. The multiple passages are constructed with straight channels, making them easier to manufacture, compared to conventional SAR micromixers and other micromixers based on curved channels. Its mixing performance has been demonstrated to be superior to that of the previous micromixers across a broad range of Reynolds numbers. Five distinct designs incorporating converging passages were explored to study the significance of the number of passages on the mixing performance. Across a broad range of Reynolds number ranges (0.1 to 80), the two-passage design significantly improved mixing performance, with a degree of mixing (DOM) consistently exceeding 0.84. Particularly, the mixing enhancement is prominent within the low and intermediate range of Reynolds numbers (Re≤20). This enhancement in the regime of molecular diffusion dominance stems from the elongated interface between the two fluids. The mixing enhancement in the transition regime is due to a secondary flow being generated on the cross-section normal to the main stream direction. The intensity of this secondary flow is significantly influenced by the number of multiple passages. The optimal number for the present micromixer design is two. The DOM remains almost constant for the submergence of multiple passages in the range of 40 to 70 (μm).