Asymmetrical breakup and size distribution of droplets in a branching microfluidic T-junction

The breakup and distribution of droplets at a branching T-junction were investigated experimentally by a high-speed camera. The effects of two-phase flow rates, two-phase Reynolds number and capillary number of the dispersed phase on droplet volume distribution were studied. The results indicated that the volume distribution ratio decreases first and then increases with the increase of two-phase flow ratio Q(d)/Q(c). Similarly, as the Reynolds number Rec of the continuous phase increases, the volume distribution ratio also decreases at first and then increases. The increase of Reynolds number Red of the dispersed phase would lead to a reduction in the volume distribution ratio . Moreover, the increase of the capillary number Ca-d of dispersed phase could result in an increase in the volume distribution ratio . Correlations for predicting the volume distribution ratio were proposed, and the calculated results show good agreement with experimental data.