Exploring the Bioenergy Potential of Microfluidics: The Case of a T-Micromixer with Helical Elements for Sustainable Energy Solutions

Abdelkader Mahammedi, Naas Toufik Tayeb, Kouider Rahmani, Awf Al-Kassir and Eduardo Manuel Cuerda-Correa ()
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Abdelkader Mahammedi: Department of Technology, ZianeAchour University of Djelfa, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
Naas Toufik Tayeb: Gas Turbine Joint Research Team, University of Djelfa, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
Kouider Rahmani: Research Laboratory Modeling Simulation and Optimization of Real Complex Systems, Djelfa 17000, Algeria
Awf Al-Kassir: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de los Materiales, Escuela de Ingenierías Industriales, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Eduardo Manuel Cuerda-Correa: Departamento de Química Orgánica e Inorgánica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, 06006 Badajoz, Spain

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-18

Abstract: This study explores the potential application of microfluidics in the field of bioenergy, with a particular focus on the energy potential of biogas derived from vine shoots, a locally abundant waste material. The enhanced mixing capability of a micromixer has been analyzed to make it suitable for microfluidic energy applications. Mixing index, pressure drop, and kinematic measurements within the T-micromixer with helical elements and their related mixing performances have been studied and validated using CFD for different values of Reynolds number (0.1–60) for laminar Newtonian miscible fluid. Geometrical characteristics were further examined to improve the mixing performance. Various values of twisted angles were evaluated and compared to choose the optimal angle. A new parameter, Q, was introduced to represent the ratio of vorticity square over the sum of vorticity square and deformation square intensities. Furthermore, the results of the numerical simulation were compared with the given data in the literature, showing a significant agreement, in addition to the fact that a high-quality mixture can be created with a geometry angle of 90°, and a mixing index above 0.99 can be obtained at low Reynolds numbers. The numerical investigation of the flow regimes of miscible fluid in the T-microkenics with the proposed angle can be utilized to develop the mixing performance of the micromixers in a wide variety of processes.

Keywords: biogas; vine shoots waste; computational fluid dynamics; pressure drop; mixing index; vorticity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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