Water Purification in Micromagnetofluidic Devices: Mixing in MHD Micromixers

Abstract

This contribution addresses a possible solution for water purification from heavy metals by magnetic nanoparticles in microfluidic water flow systems. In this technique, the most important component is the micromixer while efficient mixing and particle driving is achieved by external magnetic fields. For the simulation of water flow and nanoparticles, Computational Fluid Dynamics methods are used. The 2D and 3D Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the flow field while trajectories of the magnetic nanoparticles are simulated by the use of a Lagrangian method. Compared to traditional techniques, this method is expected to succeed chemical speed and increased water purification times.