Numerical study of influence of inlet and outlet structure on the flow field in the parallel plate flow chamber

Based on the structure features of the existing parallel plate flow chambers (PPFC), the influence of three different inlet and outlet structures on the flow field in the PPFC was numerically studied under the boundary condition of the same flow rate and same pressure difference, respectively. It was indicated that the height of flow chamber should be kept at proper level in order to provide similar pressure distribution for the cultured cells at the different location of PPFC's lower plate; the pressure at the center region of PPFC could be calculated by an expression when symmetrical inlet and outlet structure was employed; the uniform distribution of the inlet velocity along width direction was benefit to decrease the entrance length; and the choice of geometric size was more important than the selection of inlet & outlet structure's type in PPFC designing.