Draft:Scale Analysis of Stokes Flow in 2D Periodic Channels of Arbitrary Geometry

• Comment: Previously rejected as an original research paper. Bobby Cohn (talk) 13:33, 8 October 2024 (UTC)

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Scale Analysis of Stokes Flow in 2D Periodic Channels of Arbitrary Geometry

Introduction

Stokes flow, also referred to as creeping flow, is a type of fluid flow that occurs in a flow regime where the Reynolds number is very low such that inertial forces can be neglected. Application of this regime spans microfluidics, biological systems, and lubrication theory, among others. In the current context, where Stokes flow analysis is carried out in periodically constructed channels with arbitrary cross-sectional geometry, scale analysis which provides an easy method of reducing the mathematical model, helps to identify several vital forces and variables.

This article focuses on the analysis of Stokes flow at the microscale in two-dimensional (2D) periodic channels with arbitrary shapes. Here, we also present the details of the theory on which the mathematical model is based, including the major assumptions and the specific aspects that need to understand in order to model the flow of the fluid that occupies these channels.

Background on Stokes Flow

Stokes flow is governed by the Navier-Stokes equations under conditions where the Reynolds number (Re) is very small:

$Re={\frac {\rho UL}{\mu }}\ll 1$

where:

• ρ is the fluid density,
• U is the characteristic velocity,
• L is a characteristic length scale,
• μ is the dynamic viscosity.

For low Reynolds numbers, the Navier-Stokes equations reduce to the Stokes equations, where the inertial term $\rho \mathbf {u} \cdot \nabla \mathbf {u}$ can be neglected. The governing equations for incompressible Stokes flow are:

$\nabla \cdot \mathbf {u} =0\quad {\text{(Continuity equation)}}$

$-\nabla p+\mu \nabla ^{2}\mathbf {u} =0\quad {\text{(Momentum equation)}}$

where:

• u is the velocity field,
• p is the pressure field,
• μ is the dynamic viscosity.

The boundary conditions for this flow problem depend on the geometry of the channel, which we address later in the context of 2D periodic channels.

2D Periodic Channels of Arbitrary Geometry

For a periodic channel, the shapes of the cross-section of the periodic channel can be of an arbitrary nature; hence, it is difficult to solve them analytically. These channels have one-directional periodicity; this is, the boundaries of the channel are repetitive after some length while the fluid passes through the channels between these boundaries.

The geometry of such channels can be described by a periodic function:

$y=f(x)$

where $f(x)$ represents the upper and lower boundaries of the channel, which are periodic with some period L. It may also be possible to have changes in different modes of amplitude and wavelength, resulting in a halo-like flow in the structures.

Here, in this article, we will restrict our discussion to the steps that are involved in the scale analysis to obtain elementary relations and assumptions in such complex geometrical arrangements for the flow of fluids.

Scale Analysis

Dimensional Parameters

To perform a scale analysis, we first identify the relevant scales in the problem. Consider the following characteristic scales:

• U: characteristic velocity of the fluid,
• L: characteristic length scale (typically the period of the channel),
• H: characteristic height of the channel (amplitude of the periodic walls),
• μ: dynamic viscosity,
• ΔP: pressure difference across the channel.

The velocity field u, pressure p, and geometry are normalized using these characteristic quantities:

$\mathbf {u} =U{\tilde {\mathbf {u} }},\quad x=L{\tilde {x}},\quad y=H{\tilde {y}},\quad p={\frac {\mu U}{L}}{\tilde {p}}$

where the tilde variables represent non-dimensionalized quantities.

Aspect Ratio

A key parameter in scale analysis is the aspect ratio $\epsilon$, which is the ratio of the height to the length scale:

$\epsilon ={\frac {H}{L}}$

When $\epsilon \ll 1$, the channel is considered "slender," and the flow can be approximated using lubrication theory. Conversely, if $\epsilon \approx 1$, both horizontal and vertical scales play a significant role in the flow dynamics, requiring more sophisticated analysis.

Dimensionless Governing Equations

Now, if the scaled variables are substituted into the Stokes equations, the blow dimensionless momentum and continuity equations. In two dimensions, the dimensionless forms are:

$\nabla \cdot {\tilde {\mathbf {u} }}=0$

$-\nabla {\tilde {p}}+\nabla ^{2}{\tilde {\mathbf {u} }}=0$

When dealing with channel designs, the no-slip condition on the walls of the channel means that the boundary conditions must reflect the periodicity in the x-direction and the no-slip condition on the walls of the channel (in channels with periodic boundaries):

${\tilde {u}}(0,{\tilde {y}})={\tilde {u}}(1,{\tilde {y}}),\quad {\tilde {v}}(0,{\tilde {y}})={\tilde {v}}(1,{\tilde {y}})$

${\tilde {\mathbf {u} }}(x,{\tilde {y}}=f({\tilde {x}}))=0\quad {\text{(No-slip condition on walls)}}$

Lubrication Approximation for Small Aspect Ratios

For small aspect ratios ($\epsilon \ll 1$), lubrication theory provides an approximation to the flow. The dominant terms in the momentum equation are the pressure gradient and the viscous term in the y-direction. The resulting simplified equation is:

${\frac {\partial {\tilde {p}}}{\partial {\tilde {x}}}}={\frac {\partial ^{2}{\tilde {u}}}{\partial {\tilde {y}}^{2}}}$

This equation governs the flow in the slender channel, where the pressure is assumed to vary primarily in the horizontal direction.

The velocity field can then be solved by integrating the equation subject to the boundary conditions, yielding:

${\tilde {u}}({\tilde {y}})={\frac {1}{2}}{\frac {\partial {\tilde {p}}}{\partial {\tilde {x}}}}\left({\tilde {y}}^{2}-{\tilde {y}}f({\tilde {x}})\right)$

The volumetric flow rate Q can be computed by integrating the velocity field across the height of the channel.

Higher-Order Corrections

For cases where $\epsilon$ is not small, higher-order corrections need to be considered. These corrections account for the variation of the velocity and pressure fields in both the x and y-directions. As the geometry becomes more complex, numerical methods such as boundary integral methods or finite element analysis may be required to obtain accurate solutions.

Applications

For channels with Superperiodic boundary conditions, the boundary conditions must reflect the superperiod multiply of the module m along the x-axis and the no-slip condition on the walls of the channel. The scale analysis of Stokes flow in 2D periodic channels is applicable in various areas, including:

• Microfluidics: Designing the channels for the precise control of the fluid flow in lab-on-chip devices and the achievement of two-dimensional periodic conditions for analysis validation and results prediction.
• Lubrication theory: Understanding the flow in thin films between two periodic surfaces.
• Biological systems: Modeling the flow of fluids in complex, periodic geometries like blood vessels or porous tissues.

Conclusion

With scaling analysis of Stokes flow in 2D periodic channels with arbitrary geometry, valuable insights into fluid behavior at low Reynolds numbers are obtained. It further permits the formulation of dominant scales and approximations by the aspect ratio, simplifying complex governing equations to determine analytical solutions for specific cases. However, for more complex geometries, a powerful tool for the understanding of intricate flow patterns in such channels is with the numerical methods.

References

• Batchelor, G. K. An Introduction to Fluid Dynamics. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
• Happel, J., and Brenner, H. Low Reynolds Number Hydrodynamics. Springer, 1965.
• Pozrikidis, C. Introduction to Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics. Oxford University Press, 1997.