Parametric Investigation of Separating RBCs from Platelets using Dielectrophoresis

This paper discusses a simulation of the continuous separation of blood cells using a non-uniform electric field. Numerous factors influencing the separation of RBCs and platelets are addressed and examined in this numerical analysis. The simulation utilizes the equations of continuity, Navier-Stokes, and Newton’s second law to understand the behavior of blood cells in the non-uniform electric field and to separate them based on their dielectric properties. The DEP force is modeled using Newton’s second law equation, and its influence on the separation of RBCs and platelets is examined. The simulation was conducted using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, which employs a 2D FEM algorithm to investigate the cases. Various microchannel serpentine geometries were studied, and electrodes embedded along the microchannels applied a non-uniform electric field on the particles. The simulation results revealed that the separation of blood cells can be achieved using Dielectrophoresis based on their dielectric properties. The results of the simulation show that the separation of platelets from red blood cells can be achieved efficiently using the DEP mechanism. It was found that the separation efficiency is affected by the geometry of the channel, the voltage applied, the frequency of the electric field, and the velocity of the inlet stream. By optimizing these parameters, high separation efficiency can be achieved. And it was found that better separation occurs in the triangular, rectangular (where the height is less than the width), and square geometries in a higher voltage range.