Thermodynamics of partially Miscible Flows: a CFD Appraoch K

Physical models and numerical analysis on the fluid mechanics and mass transfer characteristics of multiphase flows are of practical relevance for optimizing the purification and separation processes in biotechnology and chemical engineering. Based on the generalized bracket approach of nonequilibrium thermodynamics, we propose a phase-field model to describe binary systems with different degrees of miscibility. We validate our numerical strategy by solving the rising bubble problem and comparing our results with benchmark data from the literature. Further, we successfully validate the implementation of our new phase-field model under real flow conditions, i.e., with experimental observations made inside a Y-shaped microchannel. We accurately predict the position of the interface and reproduce the mixing behavior of miscible and partially miscible components. Our new solver can address the application-specific optimization problems that are of ten encountered in designing novel microfluidic devices.