State-of-art of branching T-junction: Experiments, modeling, developing prospects and applications

As one of the separation components, T-junction is widely used in the field of energy for phase separation so as to improve system efficiency because of its compact size, simple geometry and low cost. However, because of the complexity of influencing factors affecting the phase separation law of T-junction, there is not a systematic conclusion having been summarized by scholars on the law of phase separation in branching T-junction. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the influencing factors on phase separation in branching T-junction based on the experiments and theoretical models. Firstly, the existing experiments on phase separation in branching T-junction are reviewed. Secondly, the pros and cons of the classical theoretical prediction models of the fraction of phase taken off are summarized. Then, the knowledge gap and development prospects of T-junction are summarized. This paper points out that a promising development exists in multiple T-junctions, phase separation of refrigerants and micro-T-junction and much more work on the law of separation, mechanism and theoretical model is supposed to be carried out in the future. At last, applications of T-junction are summarized.