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Droplet generation in micro-sieve dispersion device

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Abstract

Microfluidic devices with micro-sieve plate as the dispersion medium have been widely used for the mass production of emulsions. While unfortunately, few studies have so far been made for the droplet generation rules in those devices. In this work, the droplet generation processes in micro-sieve dispersion devices are investigated with specially designed micro-sieve pore arrays. The effects of channel structure, pore arrangement, and feeding method of dispersed phase on the average size and distribution of droplets are studied carefully. It is found the dimensionless average droplet diameters (d av/d e) in micro-sieve dispersion devices can be represented by a linear relation with Ca−1/4 of continuous phase, the same as the scaling law in T-junction microchannels. The flow distribution among pores and the steric hindrance between droplets affect the diameter distribution of generated droplet very much. Monodispersed droplets with polydispersity index less than 5% can be made at Ca number larger than 0.01 and phase ratio (Q D/Q C) less than 1/6 in the present investigation.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the supports of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21036002, 20876084) and SRFDP (20090002110070) for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The State Key Lab of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Bei**g, 100084, China

    K. Wang, Y. C. Lu, J. H. Xu & G. S. Luo

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  1. K. Wang
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  2. Y. C. Lu
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  3. J. H. Xu
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  4. G. S. Luo
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Correspondence to K. Wang or G. S. Luo.

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Wang, K., Lu, Y.C., Xu, J.H. et al. Droplet generation in micro-sieve dispersion device. Microfluid Nanofluid 10, 1087–1095 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-010-0737-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-010-0737-6

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