- A. Beskok and G. E. Karniadakis, Simulation of Slip-Flows
in
Complex Micro-Geometries,
DSC-Vol. 40, Micromechanical Systems, Editors D. Cho, J.
P. Peterson,
A. P. Pisano, and C. Friedrich Book No. G00743-1992, pp. 355-370.
We present a numerical simulation method to simulate time-dependent slip-flow for
values of Knudsen number less than 0.1
in complex micro-domains encountered in micro-devices such as micro-capillaries,
micro-valves, and micro-bearings. The present method is an extension of the
spectral element technique which
has been applied succesfully in the past for simulations of incompressible flows
governed by the Navier-Stokes equations.
In the first part, validation of the method is obtained by comparison of the
numerical simulation results in simple prototype
flows (e.g. Poiseuille and Couette slip-flows) with analytical solutions. Reduction
of pressure drop in micro-channels,
reported in similar experimental studies, is investigated using slip-flow theory
and simulations. In the second part,
we consider model flows through complex geometries such as three-dimensional
ducts, micro-cavities and slip-flow past
a circular cylinder. The effect of slip-flow on skin friction reduction and
associated increase in mass flow rate as
well as the variation of the normal stresses is investigated as a function of Kn
udsen number. Our results demonstrate that
a stand alone simulation approach, free of numerical artifacts, can be
employed to efficiently predict momentum and
energy transport in micro-devices.