Using the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Method to Study the Effect of Wall Temperature variation on Gas Mixing Evolution through Micro T-Mixers

摘要

In this work, we study the gas mixing behavior in a micro T-mixer using the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. The gas mixing process is monitored through a T-mixer, which is fed by two different CO and N_2 gases; flowing into the T-mixer through the upper and lower inlets. We investigate the effects of axial and lateral wall temperature gradients on the mixing evolution at different rarefaction levels. The achieved results show that any temperature difference between the channel walls would result in an increase in mixing length for the chosen wall temperature gradient ranges and the studies pressure cases. Our observations show that a positive temperature gradient toward the channel exit would result in an increase for the defined mixing length, and vice versa. Normalizing the results with those of the zero temperature gradient case, the normalized results indicate that these effects are more effective at lower pressures. The outcomes of this study can be used in MEMS to enhance the mixing processes in many different applications.