It is often assumed that a good deal of mixing occurs in the flow of liquids. However, this is not always the case; especially when it comes to liquid flow through devices on the order of millimeters.

In collaboration with researchers from CPAC, effort was made to model the fluid dynamics of an interconnect from the Swagelok Modular Platform Components (MPC) System and determine the extent of mixing that occurs, if any. Using COMSOL Multiphysics software, the interconnect was recreated to scale in 3-dimensions. Next, a fluid dynamic model was solved assuming the fluid was water-like and using the Navier-Stokes equation for incompressible fluids. The results showed that at a flow rate of 10 mL/min, the fluid had a laminar flow. Also, from testing various inlet concentration profiles, it was found that little mixing would occur.