Controlled Diffusion Separator
Application ID: 12641
This model simulates an H-shaped micro-cell designed for diffusion-controlled separation. The cell puts two different laminar streams in contact for a controlled period of time. The contact surface is well-defined and, by controlling the flow rate, it is possible to control the amount of species that are transported from one stream to the other through diffusion. By this procedure, it is possible to separate species with high diffusivity from species with low diffusivity.
For example, if a species with high diffusivity enters through the lower inlet, it will diffuse across the thickness of the horizontal channel and exit through both outlets. A species with low diffusivity that enters the lower inlet will stay in its stream and also exit through the lower outlet.
This example was originally formulated by Albert Witarsa under Professor Bruce Finlayson's supervision at the University of Washington in Seattle. The work was done as part of a graduate course assignment to evaluate the potential of patents in microfluidics through mathematical modeling.
This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products:
however, additional products may be required to completely define and model it. Furthermore, this example may also be defined and modeled using components from the following product combinations:
- COMSOL Multiphysics® and
- either the Battery Design Module, CFD Module, Chemical Reaction Engineering Module, Corrosion Module, Electrochemistry Module, Electrodeposition Module, Fuel Cell & Electrolyzer Module, Microfluidics Module, Polymer Flow Module, Porous Media Flow Module, or Subsurface Flow Module
The combination of COMSOL® products required to model your application depends on several factors and may include boundary conditions, material properties, physics interfaces, and part libraries. Particular functionality may be common to several products. To determine the right combination of products for your modeling needs, review the Specification Chart and make use of a free evaluation license. The COMSOL Sales and Support teams are available for answering any questions you may have regarding this.