Analytical methods for problems of molecular transport (Q995982)

There seem to exist only very few activities in physical research that do not require some level of understanding of transport processes. Thus, the aim of the present work is to present a concise, but basically complete, introduction to the field of transport theory with a fairly tight focus on a few recently successful analytical solution techniques. The material of the book divides itself into two parts: the non-equilibrium properties of an infinite expanse of gas and those of a bounded gas. The first part (chapters 1--5) contains the basics of the kinetic theory of gases developed along the traditional lines of Chapman and Cowling. Some simplifications of the presentation have been made to facilitate the reader's understanding of the basic principles. Describing the Chapman-Enskog method, the attention is focused on the first-order approximation for rigid-sphere molecules. Nevertheless, the second-order Chapman-Enskog solutions, along with tabulated values of all quantities necessary for their complete evaluation, are also provided for the Lennard-Jones intermolecular potential as this development is potentially very important for practical applications. The second part of the book (chapters 6--12) contains a limited selection of analytical methods that may be used to solve boundary value problems of transport with reasonable accuracy. Typical features found in the statements of boundary value problems for various gas flow regimes are discussed in chapter 6. Within the framework of the traditional Maxwellian boundary model, new expressions for the reflected distribution functions at surfaces are presented which are then adapted to numerous applied problems of practical nature. The physical features associated with statements of the boundary conditions for condensable and non-condensable gases are discussed and appropriate definitions for the basic accommodation coefficients are described in detail. Chapter 7 contains a kinetic theory treatment of gas transport problems for extremely high Knudsen numbers. The theory presented here starts with a Boltzmann equation that takes its simplest form due to the absence of the collision operator. Under stationary conditions, the constancy of the distribution function along molecular trajectories results in its discontinuity in velocity space. For the spherical geometry, a new analytical representation of the distribution function in the full velocity space is given. This representation is a generalization of that previously proposed for the planar geometry. A number of basic problems are considered which show, in detail, the features of the mathematical solution technique that is presented here, in monographic form, for the first time. Chapters 8 and 9 present selected methods of solution of planar transport problems. Detailed analytical solutions of some applied problems are given for the special case when molecules can be approximated as rigid spheres. Describing selected methods, the authors concentrate on various moment approaches, emphasising the importance of using conservation laws to construct exact moment solutions. The presentation of the moment approaches starts with the classic Maxwellian method and proceeds on to a generalized form of the Maxwellian method called after one of the authors of the book Loyalka method. Loyalka assumed a special form of the distribution function for molecules at a wall. A key feature of the Loyalka method is the opportunity to construct an accurate theory of slip phenomena for arbitrary intermolecular potentials. In chapter 8, various boundary models are discussed in detail, and a new model is introduced that allows for the incorporation of two conservation laws. In chapter 9, the discussion of planar transport problems is continued with a discussion of the variational method. Then, a discussion of the accuracy of the various presented methods of solution of planar transport problems follows. Features of the integral representation of the distribution function and of the construction of basic functionals for slip problems are treated in detail. A new approximate method to describe the gas behaviour in the Knudsen layer is briefly explained. Chapter 10 contains straightforward applications of the slip-flow theory to various classical problems of interest. Derivations of the basic equations and statements of the boundary conditions in the slip-flow regime are discussed as well. While the subject treated here may be found in other literature, the authors bridged several gaps in the subject in order to make possible a systematic description of various linearized problems. Chapter 11 contains original material that has been worked out only recently and which, in some cases, is still under development. For many cases, methods and results for arbitrary Knudsen number and different geometries are described for the first time in such a complete manner. For instance, analytical expressions for the bracket integrals associated with each transport problem as well as numerical and various approximate methods of calculation of these bracket integrals for different curvilinear geometries are original and have not been reported previously. The authors suggest a very simple procedure that may be used to calculate bracket integrals for arbitrary intermolecular potentials. The advantage of this method is shown in analyses of some classical spherical transport problems such as the torque and thermal conduction problems. In chapter 12, the analytical methods presented earlier for the Maxwell and Loyalka methods are again used to solve planar boundary value problems involving the various boundary slip phenomena. Here the emphasis is on binary gas mixtures while the preceding chapters have focused only on simple one-component gases. The relevant boundary slip phenomena are discussed in detail and the accuracy of the various methods is evaluated further in the context of the gas mixtures. Chapter 12 also contains all of the material necessary to completely specify the transport coefficients for a binary gas mixture for both the first- and second-order Chapman-Enskog approximations. In addition to the material in chapters 1--12, a number of appendices has been included to facilitate the ease of the reader in finding and using information which is necessary to effectively make use of the analytical methods described in the book. Appendices A--C contain descriptions of analytical methods needed to evaluate the necessary bracket integrals associated with the various transport problems in both the planar and curvilinear geometries. The methods of calculation of bracket integrals containing the discontinuous distribution function seem to have been collected in one monograph for the first time. Appendix D provides additional information about the variational principle for the use in planar transport problems. Here the reader finds greater detail regarding the general principles behind the construction of the necessary variational functionals needed for specific boundary value transport problems. Appendix E contains an extensive listing of definite integrals that are most frequently encountered in boundary value transport problems, and appendix F contains tabulated numerical values of the \(\Omega\)-integrals that are encountered using the Lennard-Jones potential model. These integrals have to be used employing either the first-order or second-order Chapman-Enskog approximations. To each chapter, there belong problems which the reader may solve to gain familiarity with the techniques. While some of the problems require the reader to use only basic information presented in the necessary form in the book, other problems demand for an engagement in some significant extension and generalization of the basic material presented in the book. The work is intended to serve as textbook for the study of basic analytical methods and mathematical techniques that may be used in the kinetic theory of gases. Besides the book is useful as a reference for scientists and engineers working in the fields of rarefied gas dynamics and aerosol mechanics, or working in any applied discipline in which gas-surface interactions can be expected to play a significant role.