Hydrodynamics of Droplet Generation Under Squeezing Regime in a T-junction Cylindrical Microfluidic System

This study presents the numerical investigation on effects of inertial force in dispersed phase and channel hydrophobicity on the hydrodynamics of droplet generation under squeezing regime in a cylindrical T-junction micro geometry using 3D finite element and level set conservative methods. The results are elucidated in terms of the phase profiles, point pressure profiles and velocity magnitude and recirculation zones. The results depict that with increase in the contact angle (θ) from 120° to 135°, the time required by the droplet to stabilize increases. The pressure profiles, recirculation zone contours and velocity magnitude graphs are then presented to elucidate the droplet breakup phenomena and recirculation zones in both phases.