Evaluation of the mixing performance in a planar passive micromixer with T micromixer with square chamber mixing units (SAR)

Microscale mixing methods are crucial in various disciplines, encompassing chemical reactions and biological investigations. The present study used simulation methodologies to investigate the operational efficiency of splitting recombination (SAR) micromixers. The study demonstrates that SAR micromixers offer a notable advantage in enhancing mixing efficiency. The advantage above is a consequence of the effective combination of splitting-recombination and chaotic advection processes within the micromixer architecture. An in-depth analysis of the micromixer's behavior demonstrates that its performance is supported by intricate fluid dynamics, which provide remarkably high mixing efficiency. It is worth noting that the micromixer exhibits its maximum mixing efficiency, which is roughly 99% when the Reynolds number (Re) is at or below 0.5. Nevertheless, it is seen that as the Reynolds number grows, there is a steady decrease in mixing efficiency. At a Reynolds number of 70, the measurement of mixing efficiency yields a value of 75%. However, when the Reynolds number is further increased to a range of 90-100, the efficiency decreases to its lowest value of approximately 60%. The results above highlight the exceptional mixing ability of the SAR micromixer, hence stressing its potential for various applications that demand improved mixing capabilities. The results emphasize the promise of SAR micromixers as a reliable solution for complex mixing processes in many applications, providing valuable insights that may contribute to future developments in microscale mixing technologies.