Proceedings of MNC2007

MicroNanoChina07
January 10-13, 2007, Sanya, Hainan, China

MNC2007-21107

PERFORMANCE SIMULATIONS OF TESLA MICROFLUIDIC VALVES

S. Zhang, S. H. Winoto and H.T. Low

Department of Mechanical Engineering,

National University of Singapore
9 Engineering Drive 1,
Singapore 117576, SINGAPORE

ABSTRACT
W Valve width
A three-dimensional (3-D) parametric model of Tesla-type
valves is proposed. A geometrical relationship is derived for α Valve side channel leaving angle
optimization study, and based on the model, performance β Valve side channel return angle
investigations in terms of diodicity and pressure-flow rate γ Valve aspect ratio
characteristics of the valve are numerically carried out with Δpf Forward flow pressure drop
same hydraulic diameter and different aspect ratios (of the Δpr Reverse flow pressure drop
model cross-sectional dimensions) ranging from 0.5 to 4. The μ Fluid dynamic viscosity
3-D computational simulations show that, for the same ρ Fluid density
hydraulic diameter, the unity aspect ratio gives higher diodicity
at Reynolds number less than 500 and higher will be achieved
with bigger aspect ratio when the Reynolds number is above INTRODUCTION
500. Investigations of pressure-flow rate characteristics of the
Tesla valve show that Tesla valve with high aspect ratio gives The Tesla valve in macro-scale was invented by Tesla in 1920
more flow control ability. [1] for applications in gas turbines. Due to increasing interest in
micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) in the 1990’s, this
NOMENCLATURE type of valve was then applied for micro fluidic systems [2].
Since Tesla valve is a no moving parts (NMP) valve, this type
D Valve depth (m) of valve offers many advantages over conventional check-
Dh Hydraulic diameter valves in micro-scale, such as simplicity of fabrication,
Di Diodicity versatility in pumping particle-laden fluids, and flexibility in
L Length of the straight segment of the valve side designing for resonance (since the frequency of operation is not
channel limited by mechanical valve dynamics).
L1 Valve entry segment length along centerline The performance of Tesla valve depends highly on its
L2 Valve exit segment length along centerline geometrical parameters and the Reynolds number. Hence, it is
L3 Length of the straight segment at the loop return important to optimize for best performance. Most of the
region of the valve optimization studies reported was based on two-dimensional
R Valve loop radius models, for example in [3] and [4]. That is, they did not take
R' Valve loop radius with straight segment L3 into account the viscous loss caused by the side walls of the
Re Reynolds number valve models. In micro-scale, the large surface area to volume
V Bulk flow velocity ratio leads to a higher viscous loss than that in macro-scale.
Therefore, the computationally predicted efficiencies based on

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 two dimensional models are higher than the real three-
dimensional models.
The most promising application of Tesla-type valves is for

L
flow rectifying elements in a membrane micro pump (Fig. 1) to
produce a net one way flow. The chamber with lager depth in
such micro pump can realize a swept volume adjust function,

W
which gives flexibility of the flow control of the micropump. L2
This brings forward the problem of aspect ratio of the valve
since it is connected directly to the chamber since the valve in
itself is a channel.

w
flo
se
er
ev
R
Figure 2 Schematic drawing of a Tesla-type valve.

To simplify the geometric model of Tesla-type valve, it can

Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of a membrane pump consisting of
a chamber with an oscillating top diaphragm and tow check
valves.
The aim of this work is to assess the performance of Tesla
valves by using a more realistic three-dimensional computation,
such as those carried out in [5], in an attempt to optimize its
design. The three-dimensional performance predictions will be
compared for the valve models with aspect ratios ranging from
0.5 to 4.0 (for the same hydraulic diameter) to investigate the
be looked as an inner part and an offset of the outer wall.
Figure 3(a) shows the conventional shapes of the inner part of
the valve, and since a better performance can be obtained with
larger angle β [3], Gamboa et al. [4] added a straight segment at
the loop return region to make a wider range of angle β
possible, as shown in Fig. 3(b).

L
L

effect of aspect ratio on the performance of Tesla valves.

PARAMETRIC DESCRIPTION OF THE TESLA VALVE

In any shape optimization, it is imperative that the specified

geometric model be capable of assuming a great variety of

L3
L3

shapes. The geometric model should allow for as much as

shape flexibility as possible with as few design parameters as
possible. To minimize the number of design parameters for the
L

Tesla valve, a geometric model, including what are considered

to be the most important design parameters, was developed
L3

based on the previous study [3, 4]. Although not every

imaginable Tesla valve geometry can be described by the
chosen set of parameters, it is hoped that most geometry can be
closely approximated using this mathematical description.
Figure 3 Possible geometries of the inner part of the Tesla-type
Seven parameters (Fig. 2) were selected to describe a
valves.
three-dimensional Tesla valve, namely inlet and outlet length
L1 and L2, channel width and depth W and D, length of
Therefore, the following equations can be derived from the
straight segment of side channel L, angles of side channel
geometrical characteristics from Fig. 3(a) [6]:
leaving and rejoining the main channel α and β, and the radius
of the circular segment R which can be derived from the above
⎛ R⎞
parameters. − sin ⎜ α − arctan ⎟ R 2 + L2
R= ⎝ L⎠ (1)
cos β

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 If a straight segment of length L3 is added, the radius can be order to investigate the volume flow rate versus pump pressure
calculated using the following equation: characteristics of the valve.
The computations were allowed to proceed until the
⎛α + β ⎞ residual field reached acceptably low levels. Simulations were
R′ = R − L3 ⋅ cot ⎜ ⎟ (2) conducted with finer grids by using grid adaptation to ensure
⎝ 2 ⎠ that the results obtained are independent of the grid.
The diodicity is usually used as the performance indicator
where R' is the new valve loop radius, R is the same as in of a Tesla valve. This parameter is defined as the ratio of the
equation (1), L3 > 0 and α + β < 3π/2. The above equations pressure drop in the reverse flow direction to that in the
express the valve loop radii in terms of the other six design forward flow direction at a given steady-state volume flow rate,
parameters and hence much work involved in the shape that is:
optimization. In this study, simulations are mostly based on the
model shown in Fig. 3(a), investigations of the other model in Δpr
Fig. 3(b) will be reported elsewhere. Di = (5)
Since the present study mainly focuses on the effects of the Δp f
valve aspect ratio on its performance, the same hydraulic
diameter of models Dh was chosen to be 100 μm for different In their numerical simulation studies, Truong et al. [3],
valve aspect ratios ranging from 0.5 to 4. The aspect ratio γ is Gamboa et al. [4] and Bardell [5] also used this parameter to
defined as: assess the performance of Tesla valve.
D
γ= (3)
W
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
where D is the depth of the channel and W the width of the
channel. The dimensions of the simulated models are
The numerical simulations for forward and reverse flow
summarized in Table 1.
velocity fields for the Tesla valves with aspect ratios γ = 0.5
and 2 at a pressure drop of 40kPa, are respectively shown in
Table 1 Dimensions of simulated Telsa-type valves (in μm).
Figures 4(a) and 4(b). It can be seen that the valves allow the
γ D W L α β fluid to pass more easily in the forward direction than in the
reverse direction.
0.5 75 150 400 45˚ 20˚
1 100 100 400 45˚ 20˚
2 150 75 400 45˚ 20˚
4 250 62.5 400 45˚ 20˚

The numerical simulations of fluid flow in NMP valves

were carried out using a commercially available CFD software
package Fluent® v6.2. The working fluid used was water at 20º
C (with density ρ = 998.2 kg/m3 and dynamic viscosity μ =
1.003×10-3 kg/m·s). Velocity inlet and pressure outlet boundary
conditions were alternatively applied to the forward and reverse
boundaries, producing an equilibrium volume flow rates of 0.6
ml/min to 12 ml/min, which correspond to Reynolds number
(Re) values of 100 to 2000, where Re is defined as:
ρVDh
Re = (4)
μ
Figure 4 Forward flow and reverse flow velocity fields on
where ρ is the fluid density, μ the fluid dynamic viscosity, V
the centerplane of Tesla valves with aspect ratios of 0.5 and
the average (or bulk) flow velocity, and Dh the hydraulic
2 at pressure drop of 40 kPa.
diameter of the channel. Usually, microfluidic systems work in
the Reynolds number range of 0 to 1000. However, in this
Figure 5 shows the variation of diodicity of the valves with
study, the Reynolds number was increased up to 2000 for
the same hydraulic diameter of 100μm, but of different aspect
possible applications in meso-scale (“sugar cube” size) fluidic
ratios (ranging from 0.5 to 4) with the flow Reynolds number.
systems. Pressure drop ranging from 10kpa to 100kpa were
It suggests that for Re ≤ 500, the valve with aspect ratio of
also applied to the valve for both forward and reverse flows, in

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 unity gives a better performance than the valves with other
aspect ratios. As the Reynolds number is increased, the valves 6.5
with higher aspect ratios γ produce higher diodicities. For 6.0 Forward flow, γ = 0.5
Reynolds number Re < 500: the variations of diodicity Di with 5.5 Reverse flow, γ = 0.5
different aspect ratios are not large, and the difference between Forward flow, γ = 4
5.0
valve with γ = 4 and γ = 1 is only about 0.02 to 0.04, while the Reverse flow, γ = 4
valve with unity aspect ratio has slightly higher diodicity. 4.5

Flow rate (ml/min)

However, for 500 < Re < 2000: the difference between the 4.0
valve with γ = 4 and γ = 1 is about 0.08 to 0.13. In this range, 3.5
the valves with higher aspect ratio γ exhibit higher Di. 3.0
Although the differences in Di are relatively small, these can
2.5
lead to relatively large improvements in net flow rates when the
valves are used in conjunction with the membrane pump [4]. 2.0
1.5
1.0
1.7
0.5
0 20 40 60 80 100
1.6
Pressure drop (kPa)
1.5
Figure 6 Predicted volume flow rate versus pressure drop for Tesla
1.4 valves with γ = 0.5 and γ = 4. The solid curves are second – order
polynomial fit to the data for use in estimating the characteristics.
Di

1.3

1.2 6.5
γ = 0.5 6.0 Forward flow, γ = 1
γ=1
1.1 5.5 Reverse flow, γ = 1
γ=2
5.0 Forward flow, γ = 2
γ=4
1.0 Reverse flow, γ = 2
4.5
Flow rate (ml/min)

0 500 1000 1500 2000 4.0

Re 3.5
3.0
Figure 5 Predicted Di versus Re for the valves with different
aspect ratio. 2.5
2.0
1.5
Figures 6 and 7 present the performance characteristics of 1.0
the valves in terms of volume flow rate versus pressure drop
0.5
for different aspect ratios γ. It is obvious from Fig. 6 that the
0 20 40 60 80 100
volume flow rate difference between forward flow and reverse
flow of valve with γ = 4 is much higher than that of valve with Pressure drop (kPa)
γ = 0.5, which indicates that when the valve is used in a
Figure 7 Predicted volume flow rate versus pressure drop for Tesla
membrane micropump, higher aspect ratio enhances the flow
valves with γ = 1 and γ = 2. The solid curves are second – order
control ability of the micropump. This is also demonstrated in polynomial fit to the data for use in estimating the characteristics.
Fig. 7. Figure 8 shows the difference between forward and
reverse flow rates against the applied pressure drop. When a
Tesla valve is used in conjunction with a pulsating membrane
pump, there will be a net difference between the forward and
the reverse flow rates at a certain applied pressure drop. At
pressure drop of 100kPa, the predicted flow rate of the valve
with γ = 4 is 0.91 ml/min while that with γ = 0.5 is only 0.56
ml/min. This means that it can produce a wider range of flow
rates, which can improve the flow control ability of the
membrane pump.

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 1.0 Asian Symposium on Visualization, Singapore, November 3 –
0.9 γ = 0.5 7, 2003.
γ=1
0.8 γ=2 [4] Gamboa, A. R., Morris, C. J. and Forster, F. K.,
0.7 γ=4 “Improvements in fixed-valve micropump performance through
Flow rate (ml/min)

shape optimization of valves”, J. Fluids Engineering, 127, No.

0.6
2, pp. 339 – 346, 2005.
0.5
0.4
[5] Bardell R. L., “The diodicity mechanism of Tesla-Type No-
Moving-Parts valves”, published doctoral dissertation,
0.3 University of Washington, USA, 2000.
0.2
[6] Zhang S., Winoto S. H. and Low H. T., “Numerical study of
0.1
Tesla-type microvalves”, Proceedings of the 11th Asian
0.0 Congress of Fluid Mechanics, Kuala Lumpur, May 22 – 25, pp.
0 20 40 60 80 100 475 – 479, 2006.
Pressure drop (kPa)

Figure 8 The difference in flow rate between the forward and

reverse flows for Tesla valves with aspect ratio γ of 0.5, 1, 2 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Two three-dimensional parametric model of the Telsa-type

valve has been proposed in order to describe as many valve
shapes as possible. Based on the models shown in Fig. 3(a), the
effects of the valve aspect ratio on its performance have been
numerically investigated in terms of the diodicity and the
relationships between the pressure drop and the flow rate, for
Reynolds number Re up to 2000. The predicted results show
that for the same hydraulic diameter, the valves with higher
aspect ratio will give better performance, that is, higher
diodicity Di, and hence will improve the flow control ability of
such valves. However, simulations based on models shown in
Fig. 3(b) should be also carried out to obtain a more complete
understanding of the effect of valve’s shape on its performance.
This will be reported elsewhere in the near future.

REFERENCES

[1] Tesla N., “Valvular conduit”, U.S. Patent No. 1329559,

1920.

[2] Forster F.K., Bardell R.L., Afromowitz M.A. and Sharma

N.R., “Design, fabrication and testing of fixed-valve micro-
pumps”, Proc. ASME Fluids Engineering Division, ASME
International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition
(San Francisco), Vol. 234, pp. 39 – 44, 1995.

[3] Truong T-Q., Wu Z., Nguyen N-T., Huang X.,

“Optimization and validation of rectification microvalves with
micro particle image velocimetry”, Proceedings of the 7th

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