Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation

A composite droplet made of two miscible fluids in a narrow tube generally moves under the action of capillarity until complete mixture is attained. This physical situation is analysed here on a combined theoretical and numerical analysis. The mathematical framework consists of the two-phase flow ph...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: M. I. Khodabocus, M. Sellier, V. Nock
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Advances in Mathematical Physics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1234642
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849434723611312128
author M. I. Khodabocus
M. Sellier
V. Nock
author_facet M. I. Khodabocus
M. Sellier
V. Nock
author_sort M. I. Khodabocus
collection DOAJ
description A composite droplet made of two miscible fluids in a narrow tube generally moves under the action of capillarity until complete mixture is attained. This physical situation is analysed here on a combined theoretical and numerical analysis. The mathematical framework consists of the two-phase flow phase-field equation set, an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation, and closure relationships relating the surface tensions to the chemical concentration. The numerical framework is composed of the COMSOL Laminar two-phase flow phase-field method coupled with an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation. Through transient studies, we show that the penetrating length of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is linear at early-time regime and exponential at late-time regime. Through parametric studies, we show that the rate of penetration of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is proportional to a time-dependent exponential function. We also show that this speed obeys the Poiseuille law at the early-time regime. A series of position, speed-versus-property graphs are included to support the analysis. Finally, the overall results are contrasted with available experimental data, grouped together to settle a general mathematical description of the phenomenon, and explained and concluded on this basis.
format Article
id doaj-art-e3f4fc7326ce4a91a47a8763b900ecff
institution Kabale University
issn 1687-9120
1687-9139
language English
publishDate 2016-01-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Advances in Mathematical Physics
spelling doaj-art-e3f4fc7326ce4a91a47a8763b900ecff2025-08-20T03:26:33ZengWileyAdvances in Mathematical Physics1687-91201687-91392016-01-01201610.1155/2016/12346421234642Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical SimulationM. I. Khodabocus0M. Sellier1V. Nock2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New ZealandDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New ZealandDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch 8140, New ZealandA composite droplet made of two miscible fluids in a narrow tube generally moves under the action of capillarity until complete mixture is attained. This physical situation is analysed here on a combined theoretical and numerical analysis. The mathematical framework consists of the two-phase flow phase-field equation set, an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation, and closure relationships relating the surface tensions to the chemical concentration. The numerical framework is composed of the COMSOL Laminar two-phase flow phase-field method coupled with an advection-diffusion chemical concentration equation. Through transient studies, we show that the penetrating length of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is linear at early-time regime and exponential at late-time regime. Through parametric studies, we show that the rate of penetration of the bidroplet system into the capillary tube is proportional to a time-dependent exponential function. We also show that this speed obeys the Poiseuille law at the early-time regime. A series of position, speed-versus-property graphs are included to support the analysis. Finally, the overall results are contrasted with available experimental data, grouped together to settle a general mathematical description of the phenomenon, and explained and concluded on this basis.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1234642
spellingShingle M. I. Khodabocus
M. Sellier
V. Nock
Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
Advances in Mathematical Physics
title Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
title_full Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
title_fullStr Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
title_full_unstemmed Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
title_short Slug Self-Propulsion in a Capillary Tube Mathematical Modeling and Numerical Simulation
title_sort slug self propulsion in a capillary tube mathematical modeling and numerical simulation
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1234642
work_keys_str_mv AT mikhodabocus slugselfpropulsioninacapillarytubemathematicalmodelingandnumericalsimulation
AT msellier slugselfpropulsioninacapillarytubemathematicalmodelingandnumericalsimulation
AT vnock slugselfpropulsioninacapillarytubemathematicalmodelingandnumericalsimulation