Lattice Boltzmann Modeling-based Design of a Membrane-free Liquid-liquid Microseparator

F. Strniša, P. Žnidaršič-Plazl and I. Plazl

Abstract
The benefits of continuous processing and the challenges related to the integration with efficient downstream units for end-to-end manufacturing have spurred the development of efficient miniaturized continuously-operated separators. Membrane-free microseparators with specifically positioned internal structures subjecting fluids to a capillary pressure gradient have been previously shown to enable efficient gas-liquid separation. Here we present initial studies on the model-based design of a liquid-liquid microseparator with pillars of various diameters between two plates. For the optimization of in silico separator performance, mesoscopic lattice-Boltzmann modeling was used. Simulation results at various conditions revealed the possibility to improve the separation of two liquids by changing the geometrical characteristics of the microseparator.

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Keywords
modeling-based design, liquid-liquid separation, microfluidics, lattice Boltzmann method