Slug flow in microchannels: Numerical simulation and applications

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art numerical techniques employed in the literature for modeling slug flow in microchannels. The proposed solutions in literature for overcoming some of the drawbacks of the numerical methods are presented. Additionally, literature covering specific applications such as enhancement of heat transfer and mixing is reviewed to provide further insight into the transport mechanisms and their applications. Digital microfluidics, as a means of slug manipulation and control, is introduced in the following section of the paper. The application of thermocapillary, magnetic, electric, optical and acoustic forces is elaborated in particular. (C) 2018 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.