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Analysis of double-chamber parallel valveless micropumps

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Abstract

The characteristics of a double-chamber valveless parallel micropump are analysed using a one-dimensional non-linear model. The relationships between the mean volume flux, pressure difference and (measurable) characteristics of the pump are derived in a closed-form expression which are validated against the numerical solutions. These results show that when pump chambers are driven exactly out of phase, the volume flux is maximum and the variation of the pump chamber pressure is (significantly) reduced. The model predictions were tested against the experimental results of Olsson et al. (Sens Actuators A Phys 47:549–556, 1995) for both in and out of phase pumps. The mean volume flux decreases linearly with pressure rise. For both cases, the agreement is good and is an improvement over previous analytical models. The implications of these results for optimal pump design are discussed.

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Abbreviations

α:

Characterises the shape of the deformed planar surface

β:

The ratio of pipe length from the junction to the nozzles, to the external pipes

\(\epsilon\) :

Dimensionless flow asymmetry

ω:

Angular frequency of the actuator

ρ:

Density

τ:

Dimensionless time

ζ:

Pressure-loss coefficient

ΔP * :

Difference between the chamber pressure and mean static pressure

\(\overline{\epsilon}\) :

Mean value of the dimensionless flow asymmetry

\(\tilde{\epsilon}\) :

Fluctuating component of the dimensionless flow asymmetry

\(\tilde{u}_*\) :

Dimensionless velocity

A 0 :

Cross-sectional area of the channels

A 1 :

Cross-sectional area of the throat of the diffuser/nozzle elements

C d :

Relative strength of the frictional force to the dynamic force

C p :

Measures of the ratio of applied pressure to the chamber pressure

C :

Maximum volume displaced by the pump compared to the volume of fluid in the system

E ϕ :

Dimensionless mean flow asymmetry

f:

Darcy-Weisbach friction factor

L r :

Wetted perimeter of the channel

L v :

Valve length (diffuser/nozzle element length)

L :

Length of inlet and exit channels

P E :

Exit pressure

P I :

Inlet pressure

P v :

Water vapour pressure

P *e :

Pressure after diffuser/nozzle elements

P *i :

Pressure before diffuser/nozzle elements

P C* :

Chamber pressure

Q 0 :

Maximum volume flux

Q :

Pump volume flux

Re :

Reynolds number

R :

Chamber radius

V 0 :

Chamber volume in the absence of surface deflection

V m :

Amplitude of volume oscillation

X d :

Maximum deflection of actuator

u * :

Velocity

References

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Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the Dorothy Hodgkin Postgraduate Award (DHPA) of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) of United Kingdom and Ebara Research Co. Ltd. of Japan for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering, UCL, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK

    A. Azarbadegan, C. A. Cortes-Quiroz, I. Eames & M. Zangeneh

Authors
  1. A. Azarbadegan
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  2. C. A. Cortes-Quiroz
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  3. I. Eames
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  4. M. Zangeneh
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Correspondence to A. Azarbadegan.

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Azarbadegan, A., Cortes-Quiroz, C.A., Eames, I. et al. Analysis of double-chamber parallel valveless micropumps. Microfluid Nanofluid 9, 171–180 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-009-0519-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-009-0519-1

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