Viscous oil–water flows in a microchannel initially saturated with oil: Flow patterns and pressure drop characteristics

Immiscible viscous liquid–liquid two-phase flow patterns and pressure drop characteristics in a circular microchannel have been investigated. Water and silicone oil with a dynamic viscosity of 863 mPa s were injected into a fused silica microchannel with an inner diameter of 250 μm. As the microchannel was initially filled with the silicone oil, an oil film was found to always form and remain on the microchannel wall. Different flow patterns were observed and classified over a wide range of water and oil flow rates. A flow pattern map is presented in terms of Re, Ca, and We numbers. Two-phase pressure drop data have also been collected and analyzed to develop a simple correlation for slug, annular and annular-droplet flow patterns in terms of superficial water and oil velocities.

► Viscous oil–water flow pattern and pressure drop data obtained in a microchannel.
► In a microchannel initially saturated with oil, water flowed in the core.
► Viscous oil always formed a stable film on the channel wall.
► A flow pattern map is presented in terms of Re, Ca and We numbers.
► Two-phase friction pressure drop varied linearly with water and oil flow rates.