A criterion for experimental validation of slip-flow modelsfor incompressible rarefied gases through microchannels

This paper is devoted to analysing the friction factor for incompressible rarefied gas flow through microchannels. A theoretical investigation is conducted in order to underline the conditions for experimentally evidencing rarefaction effects on the pressure drop. It is demonstrated that for a fixed geometry of the microchannel cross-section, it is possible to calculate the minimum value of the Knudsen number for which the rarefaction effects can be observed experimentally, taking into account the uncertainties related to evaluation of the friction factor