Numerical study and experimental validation of a valveless piezoelectric air blower for fluidic applications

In this paper, we report the numerical and experimental study of a valveless microblower actuated by a lead zirconate titanate (PZT) diaphragm. The blower is numerically studied using the open source software OpenFOAM for the first time. As part of the study, we further developed a lumped model to describe the response of the blower to the applied frequency on the diaphragm. The model parameters were obtained based on the geometry of the blower and the diaphragm material. The response of the blower obtained by the model was in close agreement with the experimental data that is archived from the prototype consisting of inexpensive audio electronic components. The flow rate of the device can be up to 0.7 l/m and the developed back pressure is 300Pa. Our study is useful for the development of an air generator applicable in health science, for energy applications, and integrated fluidic systems.