冰阀是一种利用微/纳米流道内流体自身的冻结/融化相变过程来实现关断或开启作用的新型流体元件.由于无运动部件、无泄漏、不会引起流体污染且易于实现电控等优点,该器件在微/纳米流体系统的控制中具有重要的应用前景.针对冰阀的工作原理,基于相应的流体力学及传热学数学模型,从数值计算角度对微流道冰阀器件的执行过程进行了模拟,并开展了相应的参数化研究,在此基础上可对冰阀的工作状态及控制过程更好地加以理解和剖析.
As a new flow component, the ice valve was developed to close or open the liquid flow running inside a micro/nano channel based on the freeze/thawing phase change of the working fluid using a thermoelectric cooling device. Without any leakage, being very clean, causing no pollution to the solution itself and easily electricity-controllable, the ice valve would find significant applications in the control of micro or nano fluidics. Following the working principle of ice valve, this paper is aimed to numerically simulate the operation behavior of the ice valve by using the corresponding fluid mechanics and heat transfer models. Parametric studies were also performed from which the comprehensive working features and controlling activities can be well understood.