Theoretical and Numerical Investigation of Liquid-Gas Interface Location of Capillary Driven Flow During the Time Throughout Circular Microchannels

TL;DR

This study compares numerical methods in COMSOL Multiphysics to accurately simulate liquid-gas interfaces in capillary-driven flow within circular microchannels, aiming to optimize microfluidic device design and reduce costs.

Contribution

It identifies the most accurate and time-efficient numerical method in COMSOL for simulating capillary flow in microchannels, enhancing microfluidic device development.

Findings

Verified and compared simulation methods with experimental data.

Identified the most accurate and time-saving numerical approach.

Facilitated improved design of microfluidic devices.

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to find the best, most rapid, and the most accurate numerical method to find the liquid-gas interface of capillary driven flow during the time in circular Microchannels by using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Capillary driven flow by eliminating micropumps or any physical pressure gradient generators can make the microfluidic devices cheaper and more usable. Hence, by using this two-phase flow, the final costs of lots of microfluidic devices and lab-on-a-chip can significantly be decreased and help them to be commercialized. The first step to employing the capillary flow in these devices is the simulation of this flow inside the microchannels. One of the most common and valid software for this work is COMSOL Multiphysics; this fact reveals the importance of this study. In this research study, simulation results obtained by using two possible numerical methods in this software, for capillary flows of water and ethanol in two different circular microchannels, verified and compared with four other methods, which verified experimentally before. Finally, the most accurate and time-saving numerical method of this software will be specified. This appropriate technique can contribute to simulate microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip devices, which are made of different mechanical and electrical parts, in COMSOL Multiphysics software by choosing the best method.