Fluid flow in micro-channels

We consider the problem of liquid and gas flow in micro-channels under conditions of a small Knudsen and Mach numbers, that correspond to continuum model. Data from the literature on pressure drop in circular, rectangle, triangular and trapezoidal micro-channels with hydrodynamic diameter ranging from 1.01 mu m to 4010 mu m are analyzed. The Reynolds number at transition from laminar to turbulent flow is considered. Attention is paid to comparison between predictions of the conventional theory and experimental data, obtained during the last decade, as well as to discussion of possible sources of unexpected effects which were revealed by a number of previous investigations. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.