Analysis of Viscous Micropump with Single Rotating Cylinder.

This study presents the transient nature and performance of viscous micropump for low Reynolds number where flow is assumed laminar, unsteady, incompressible and two dimensional. The device consists of a cylinder placed eccentrically inside an extremely narrow channel, where channel axis is perpendicular to cylinder axis. When the cylinder rotates, it generates a net force on fluid due to unequal shear stresses on the top and bottom surfaces of the cylinder. This net force is capable of generating a net flow against a pressure gradient. The flow field inside the micro channel has been analyzed by using structured grid Finite Volume Method (FVM) based on Navier-Stokes equation. All parameters used in flow simulation are expressed in non-dimensional quantities for better understanding of flow behavior, regardless of dimensions or the fluid that is used. The effect of the channel height (S), the cylinder eccentricity (ε), the Reynolds number (Re) and Pump load (P*) have been studied. Various flow patterns inside the micro pump as well as variations in flow velocity with time are obtained. Both the steady state and transient results of viscous micro pump are validated. It is found that the average velocity of fluid increases with increasing cylinder eccentricity and decreases with increasing the channel height. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]