The effect of y-component electroosmotic body force in mixed electroosmotic/pressure driven microflows

The present study reports numerical analysis for mixed electroosmotic/pressure driven flow of Newtonian fluid in slit microchannels. Two dimensional Laplace, Poisson–Boltzmann, and momentum equations are solved numerically in a rectangular microchannel using finite volume method and SIMPLE algorithm. Electroosmotic body force is considered in x and y-momentum equations. The effect of considering y-component electroosmotic body force in velocity distribution is investigated. Moreover, the effects of external applied electric field, zeta potential, Debye length, and the channel height on y-velocity distribution are studied. The numerical results show importance of considering y-component electroosmotic body force by reduction of zeta potential and Debye length.

Mixed electroosmotic/pressure driven flow with a specified inlet flowrate is solved numerically and effect of considering y-component electroosmotic body force in velocity distribution is investigated.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ The effects of electroosmotic body force on velocity profile at near wall regions. ▶ The effects of zeta potential and Debye length on y-velocity component. ▶ Importance of y-component electroosmotic body force for small zeta potentials.