Hydrodynamic Characteristics of N2-[Bmim][NO3] Two-Phase Taylor Flow in Microchannels

In this study, the hydrodynamic characteristics for N2 and [Bmim][NO3] in a cross flow T-shaped square microchannel were investigated experimentally. A Micro-PIV system was used to capture ionic liquids (ILs) velocity distribution in a microchannel, and a high-speed camera system was applied to record flow regimes. The effect of a two-phase flow rate on gas holdup, bubble length, liquid slug length, bubble velocity and the velocity distribution in liquid slug were studied systematically related to Taylor flow. Based on the experimental data, some dimensionless empirical correlations were developed to predict the hydrodynamics of ILs in microchannels, with an average relative deviation less than 10%. They can also be used to predict other gas (Ar and He) and ILs ([Bmim][BF4] and [Omim][BF4]) systems. This work is conducive to further study mass transfer characteristics of ILs and finally provide guidance for the design of ILs system microchannel reactors.