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Microscopic investigation of vortex breakdown in a dividing T-junction flow

San To Chan, Simon J. Haward, and Amy Q. Shen
Phys. Rev. Fluids 3, 072201(R) – Published 16 July 2018
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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D)-printed microfluidic devices offer new ways to study fluid dynamics. We present a clear visualization of vortex breakdown in a dividing T-junction flow. By individual control of the inflow and two outflows, we decouple the effects of swirl and rate of vorticity decay. We show that even slight outflow imbalances can greatly alter the structure of vortex breakdown, by creating a net pressure difference across the junction. Our results are summarized in a dimensionless phase diagram, which will guide the use of vortex breakdown in T-junctions to achieve specific flow manipulation.

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  • Received 13 December 2017
  • Revised 22 June 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevFluids.3.072201

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid Dynamics

Authors & Affiliations

San To Chan, Simon J. Haward, and Amy Q. Shen

  • Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 3, Iss. 7 — July 2018

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