Effects of Repeating Microstructures on Pressure Drop in Rectangular Minichannels

A literature review in laminar incompressible flow in microchannels has shown both early and late transitions from laminar to turbulent flow as well as no deviation from the conventional flow transition of Re = 2300. In the present work, air and water flow through rectangular channels with hydraulic diameters ranging from 325∝m to 1819∝m. Smooth surface conditions are tested to validate the test section, while a repeating roughness is used to show the effects of surface roughness and its orientation on flow characteristics in minichannels. Testing has shown that smooth channels show no deviation, while artificially roughened channels show considerable deviation from the macroscale flow transition of Re = 2300.