Micromixer parallel lamination

Fig. 3 Parallel lamination mlcromlxer types (a) Bifurcation-type feeds (Adapted from [66] with kind permission from Springer Science), (b) Interdigital-type feeds, super focus mixer (Reproduced from [67] with permission. Copyright Wiley-VCH ). (c) Chessboard micromixer (Adapted from [68] with permission. Copyright lOP Publishing), (d) Circular micromixer (Adapted from [69] with permission. Copyright lOP Publishing)...

Similar to parallel lamination micromixers, sequential lamination micromixers [also called split-and-recombine (SAR) micromixers] rely on an exponential increase in the contact surface area and decrease in the length path to achieve a shorter mixing time. The difference between the two types of micromixers is the method used to achieve lamination of the fluid to be mixed. As suggested by the name, the lamination in sequential lamination micromixers is obtained by sequential processes of splitting and rejoining the fluids (Fig. 4a) [84, 86-89]. 

Wu Z, Nguyen N (2005) Convective-diffusive transport in parallel lamination micromixers. Microfluid Nanofluid 1(3) 208-217... 

Figure 7.2 Parallel lamination micromixers (a) basic T-mixer (b) Y-mixer (c) mixer with a throat (d) concept of injection mixer (e) concept of parallel lamination (f) and concept of hydraulic focusing.

Figure 7.3 Concentration distribution in a parallel lamination micromixer (a) the dimensionless 2D model (b) result for Y-mixer (n = l,r=0.5) (c) result for parallel animation mixer with multiple streams (n = 5, r=0.5).

While the multi-lamination micromixers use a parallel approach, the split and recombination units use a linear approach by splitting the flow, recombining it and by rearranging it, almost always with some recirculation flow [60, 63, 65, 66, 84,85]. Designs used to achieve this flow include, but are not limited to, fork-like, ramp-like, cross-like, and curved. Mae et al. reported a two-phase mixer designed to create a water-oil emulsion that could process up to 5 L h (YM-1) and 20 L h (YM-2) [63]. Figure 7.6 shows the YM-1 structure. 

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