Lattice Boltzmann simulation of droplet deformation and breakup due to collision with obstacles in microchannel

In this paper, passive droplet deformation and breakup in microchannel with obstacles were investigated. The lattice Boltzmann method based on pseudo-potential method was utilized for the two-phase flow simulation in two cases, symmetric and asymmetric deformation and breakup of droplet. Validation was performed by several well-known benchmarks. The effects of various flow and physical parameters such as Reynolds number, contact angle, channel height and droplet diameter in symmetric case were investigated. It was seen that in the symmetric case, by increasing triangular obstacles’ height, initial diameter of droplet and contact angle, the maximum velocity of droplet in narrow section increased. Also, the effects of obstacles distance and size on the droplet motion and breakup in asymmetric case were investigated.