Abstract: Very strong capillary forces combined with confinement contribute to the
difficulty in the direct simulations of drops in microfluidic devices. In this
talk, I'll present our recent combined asymptotic and numerical study of a
simplified model for a dispersion which is pumped through a T-junction. The
numerical method is based on a height-function formulation for a volume-of-fluid
representation of the two liquids. Both the Bretherton and the Richardson bubble
are used for benchmarking the code, thus establishing the degree of accuracy and
robustness. The viscosity ratio of the drop to matrix liquid is varied to
investigate the range of behavior from the presence of a bubble to that of a
highly viscous drop. I will present our computational results of the drop
breakup in a T-junction along with the asymptotic theory in the limit of low
capillary number. If time permits, I'll show my recent numerical findings of
drop breakup that has been observed in experimental data [Phys. Fluids 21,
072001 (2009)] when a large drop goes through a T-junction.