Effects of structural parameters on fluid flow and mixing performance in a curved microchannel with gaps and baffles

We provide three-dimensional numerical simulations of mixing performance in a newly proposed micromixer with different structural parameters. The same amount of gaps and baffles are arranged along the curved channel within a certain distance. The effects of their structural parameters on mixing efficiency are presented, which include either the position and feature size of gaps and baffles, or the curvature radius of curved channel. The high efficiency mixing mechanism of the curved channel with gaps and baffles can attribute to the interaction of the increased contact area for premixed liquids, the jet and throttling effect over every unit of gap and baffle, the developing of the multidirectional vortices along the curved channel. The mixing index is sensitive to the width of the gaps and baffles for some Reynolds number ranges, but is not sensitive to the curvature radius of the curved channel. The characteristic of the pressure drop depending on Reynolds number is also investigated in order to keep an appropriate balance with mixing property.