Analysis of flow and slip behavior of microgel solution inside microchannel

We conducted experiments and computations to investigate the flow of a microgel solution inside a microchannel. The model fluid was a 0.2 wt% Carbopol 941 microgel solution, which was injected into the microchannel with dimensions of 200 mu m x 200 mu m x 15 mm at a flow rate of 800 mu L/h. We devised a new approach for visualizing the flow using the relative velocity, and used a new velocimetry method based on image processing to calculate the velocity profiles with reasonable accuracy. Our study focused on two aspects: 1) introducing a new velocimetry method based on image processing of flow visualizations, and 2) deducing a slip parameter by comparing the experiments and computations. Based on the model, we computationally explored various flow rates that could not be realized experimentally and investigated the slip behavior. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study focused on visualizing the flow using a new velocimetry method based on image processing and deducing a slip parameter by comparing experiments and computations.Various flow rates were computationally explored based on the model to investigate slip behavior.