A novel passive micromixer based on multiple baffles and a submergence scheme was designed, and its mixing performance was simulated over a wide range of Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.1 to 80. The degree of mixing (DOM) at the outlet and the pressure drop between the inlets and outlet were used to assess the mixing performance of the present micromixer. The mixing performance of the present micromixer showed a significant enhancement over a wide range of Reynolds numbers (0.1 ≤ Re ≤ 80). The DOM was further enhanced by using a specific submergence scheme. At low Reynolds numbers (Re < 5), submergence scheme Sub24 produced the highest DOM, approximately 0.57, which was 1.38 times higher than the case with no submergence. This enhancement was due to the fluid flowing from or toward the submerged space, creating strong upward or downward flow at the cross-section. At high Reynolds numbers (Re > 10), the DOM of Sub1234 became the highest, reaching approximately 0.93 for Re = 20, which was 2.75 times higher than the case with no submergence. This enhancement was caused by a large vortex formed across the whole cross-section, causing vigorous mixing between the two fluids. The large vortex dragged the interface between the two fluids along the vortex perimeter, elongating the interface. The amount of submergence was optimized in terms of DOM, and it was independent of the number of mixing units. The optimum submergence values were 90 μm for Sub24 and Re = 1, 100 μm for Sub234 and Re = 5, and 70 μm for Sub1234 and Re = 20.
Keywords: dean vortex; degree of mixing (DOM); mixing energy cost (MEC); multiple baffles; submergence scheme.