Numerical investigation into thermal mixing efficiency in Y-shaped channel using Lattice Boltzmann method and field synergy principle

This study employs the lattice Boltzmann method to simulate the thermal mixing efficiency of two-dimensional, incompressible, steady-state low Reynolds number flows in a Y-shaped channel. The effects of introducing a staggered arrangement of wave-like and circular obstacles into the mixing section of the Y-shaped channel are systematically examined. The simulation results demonstrate that both types of obstacle yield an effective improvement in the thermal mixing efficiency compared to that achieved in a Y-channel with a straight mixing section. Adopting the field synergy principle, it is demonstrated that the enhanced mixing efficiency is the result of an increased intersection angle between the velocity vector and the temperature gradient within the channel.