Velocity in microchannel with temporal temperature variation

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on analyzing fluid dynamics within a microchannel of length 2L and width h, subjected to a cyclic temperature profile that induces time-dependent density variations. Participants utilize mass conservation and momentum balance equations to derive velocity (u, v) and pressure (p) solutions under specific boundary conditions, including no-slip at the walls and constant pressure at the channel's entrance and exit. A moving observer frame is proposed to simplify the problem, leading to a steady-state analysis of the flow characteristics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles, specifically in microchannels.
  • Familiarity with mass conservation and momentum balance equations.
  • Knowledge of boundary conditions in fluid flow problems.
  • Experience with transforming coordinate systems in fluid dynamics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the continuity equation in fluid dynamics.
  • Explore the implications of Reynolds number in microchannel flow.
  • Learn about the effects of temperature variations on fluid density and flow behavior.
  • Investigate numerical methods for solving fluid dynamics equations in complex geometries.
USEFUL FOR

Fluid dynamics researchers, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in the design and analysis of microfluidic systems will benefit from this discussion.

  • #61
big dream said:
Yes, sir that would be very useful.
The short answer is "intuition, based on many years of experience."

The long answer is: I recognized that, for an observer moving to the left with a constant velocity c, the spatial coordinate in his frame of reference, X=x+ct (the X axis is also moving to the left with the observer) has constant density at every value of X (i.e., at each value of X, the density is not changing with time), since ##\rho=\rho(x+ct)=\rho(X)##. Basically, in the x frame of reference the density profile is traveling to the left like a wave moving at speed c, but in the X frame of reference, the density profile is stationary. This automatically led mathematically to the transformation of independent variables that we used.
 
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  • #62
Chestermiller said:
Before doing anything else, I need you to prove to yourself that, if we make the following transformation of variables,

t = T
y = Y
x = X - ct
v = V(X,Y)
u = U(X,Y) - c
p = P(X)

our equations reduce to:
$$\rho=\rho(X)$$
$$\frac{\partial (\rho U)}{\partial X}+\frac{\partial (\rho V)}{\partial Y}=0\tag{1}$$
$$\frac{\partial P}{\partial X}=\mu \frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial Y^2}\tag{2}$$
subject to the boundary conditions ##U=c## and ##V=0## at ##Y=0,h##. These are equivalent to the equations that an observer who is traveling at a constant speed c in the negative x direction would write. This observer would conclude that, as reckoned from his frame of reference, the system is at steady state, with all parameters functions of X and Y only.
Have you considered any scale like U=u/c , V=v/c, X= x/L, Y=y/L to reduce the momentum balance equation from $$ {\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}} + ({\bf u} \cdot \nabla) {\bf u} = - {1\over\rho} \nabla p + \gamma\nabla^2{\bf u} + {\gamma}{1\over3}\nabla (\nabla \cdot {\bf u})$$
To $$\frac{\partial P}{\partial X}=\mu \frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial Y^2}\tag{2}$$
or directly take the first term $${\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}}=0$$ as the flow is steady. and $$\rho{\bf u} \cdot \nabla {\bf u}={\bf u} \cdot \nabla (\rho{\bf u})=0 $$
still could not eliminate this term, $${1\over3}\nabla (\nabla \cdot {\bf u})$$
or you have considered the momentum balance equation like this $$ {\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}} + ({\bf u} \cdot \nabla) {\bf u} = - {1\over\rho} \nabla p + \gamma\nabla^2{\bf u} + {g_{x}} $$ as $$\rho g_{x}=0$$
Or firstly use Galilean transformation then reduce the equation.I am little confused which way to show this momentum balance equation.
 
  • #63
I think I've helped enough on this thread already. I'll leave it up to you to work out the rest of these details.
 
  • #64
I changed my mind because of your post on that other forum. So, here goes.

If we apply our coordinate transformation to the momentum equation, we obtain for the X component the following:
$$U\frac{\partial U}{\partial X}+V\frac{\partial U}{\partial Y}=-\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial X}+\gamma\left[\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial X^2}+\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial Y^2}\right]+\frac{\gamma}{3}\left[\frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial X^2}+\frac{\partial^2V}{\partial X\partial Y}\right]$$
OK so far??
 

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