Asymmetric heat transfer in liquid–liquid segmented flow in microchannels

Abstract

Heat transfer in segmented flow in microchannels can be significantly enhanced by recirculating vortices, due to the presence of interfaces. The processes of heat transfer in segmented flow subjecting to asymmetric boundary conditions are studied. Two types of boundary conditions are considered, asymmetric constant surface temperature and asymmetric constant surface heat flux. The paths of heat flow and the effects of the thermal conductivity, the plug length, and the Peclet number are studied. The results show different features from those at symmetric boundary conditions. The heat transfer process at asymmetric boundary conditions is controlled by both thermal advection and diffusion at the mid-plane of the channel. The coupling effects between the adjacent plugs complicate the process by the heat transfer across plug-plug interfaces.