Investigation and simulation of particle separation by using pinched flow fractionation

Pinched flow fractionation is one of the newest method introduced for separation of particles withdifferent sizes. In this method, particles suspended in one flow are introduced in a microchannel andfocused by another flow which is free of particles along the one side of the microchannel. When thefocused flow exits from the tight part of the microchannel encounters with the second part of microchannelwhich is wider than the first part. In the sider section, particles with different sizes move in different pathsand separation occur. In this article, at first, the best geometry operating more efficient than another isdetermined by simulation of velocity profiles and investigation of streamlines. Then, the effect of differentflow rates on the selected geometry is investigated.

Keywords:

particle separation , passive method , pinched flow fractionation