Fluid flow transport phenomenon in X-shaped micro-intersecting channels

Numerical and experimental study is performed on the fluid flow transport phenomenon in X-shaped micro-channels. Emphasis is placed on mixing characteristics of the left and right channel flows subsequent to their convergence. Water as the working fluid is supplied to both the left and right channels at different mass flow rates. Numerical simulation, flow visualization and measurement are carried out over a wide range of flow condition, 1 < Re < 700. It is found that (i) the larger angle of the converging passages has the better performance of mixture, (ii) the mixing performance is affected by the mass flow rate ratio from both channels and (iii) the angle pays an important role at the X-shaped micro-channels.