Design and Simulation of Valve Less PZT Micropump for Drug Delivery System

In this paper some discrete parts of an electrostatic and flat-walled self-aligned valveless, micropump for drug delivery system is designed and simulated. The core component of the system is a piezoelectric diaphragm that can convert the reciprocating movement of a diaphragm actuated by a piezoelectric actuator into a pumping effect. The deflection in the diaphragm was analyzed by applying the voltages and pressures over different size of membrane. Nozzle/diffuser elements were used to direct the flow from inlet to outlet. Simulation was also done for a nozzle and diffuser element. A wide-angle flow channel with sharp inlet and outlets were used in the micropump with dynamic passive valves. The simulations shows differences in the flow patterns for diffuser and nozzle elements that explain the opposite positive flow directions. Numerical simulation were done using CFD program ANSYS. Based on the theoretical analysis, the effect of piezoelectric materials properties, driving voltage, driving frequency, nozzle/diffuser dimension, and other factors on the performance of the fluid system are discussed. As a result, a viable design and independent analysis for diaphragm and nozzle/diffuser with a flow channel of a micropump system for drug delivery is achieved.