Effect of Triangular Obstacles on Droplet Splitting Behavior in T-Shaped Branched Microchannel: A Numerical Study

This study examines the dynamics of droplet splitting within a branched T-junction microchannel, utilizing finite element simulations to model the process. A two-phase Level Set Method (LSM) is employed to analyze the mechanisms governing droplet generation and splitting at the T-shaped bifurcation. The impact of two triangular obstacles: an isosceles and a right-angled triangle at the splitting zone on droplet splitting behavior and splitting time is explored. Additionally, the effect of the flow rate ratio (qr) on the morphological evolution of droplets is examined. The numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data reported in the literature. The findings show that when the flow rate ratio (qr) rises, so does the effective droplet diameter. The presence of triangular obstacles at the splitting zone significantly influences the droplet behavior, with a reduction in splitting time observed compared to an obstacle-free channel. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing droplet splitting in microfluidic systems.