Numerical Prototyping of Droplet Generators

HARISPE, DAVID; CARAM, JORGE P.; KLER, PABLO A.

Congreso; MECOM2022 - XXXVIII CONGRESO ARGENTINO DE MECÁNICA COMPUTACIONAL; 2022

Computational mechanics allows the development of numerical prototypes that facilitate the process of designing and optimizing devices for microdroplet generation through different virtual experiments. The formation of microdroplets from one fluid (dispersed phase) into another (continuous phase) can occur in a controlled manner in a discontinuous flow (´dripping´), or a continuous jet (´jetting´) which eventually breaks into droplets far downstream in an uncontrolled manner. Although experimental systems that are able to produce droplets of up to three phases have been reported, the transition from dripping to jetting regime is not yet fully understood even for simple two-phase (co-flow) systems. Moreover, the operating conditions (flow ratio, surface tension, geometries) needed for microdroplets to be experimentally produced in two-phase systems are still under study.