Viscosity-dependent enhancement of fluid resistance in water/glycerol micro fluid segments

The influence of the formation of micro fluid segments on the fluid resistance was studied in an example of water/glycerol mixture by pressure drop measurements in dependence on the flow rate and viscosity. Therefore, a micro fluidic arrangement consisting of two syringe pumps, a pressure sensor and an injector for segment generation was assembled. It was found that micro fluid segments generate a significant enhancement of flow-induced pressure drop. This enhancement depends on the flow rate as well as on the number of microfluid segments and viscosity. The resulting pressure drop can be described by an empirical equation reconsidering flow rate, viscosity, capillary size and number of segments.