H-theorem for nonlinear regularized 13-moment equations in kinetic gas theory (Q450075)

According to the author the regularized 13-moment equations (R13) are a successful macroscopic model to describe non-equilibrium gas flows in rarefied or micro situations. Based on an approach suggested by \textit{H. C. Öttinger} [``Thermodynamically admissible 13 moment equations from the Boltzmann equation'', Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, No. 12, Article ID 120601 (2010; \url{doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.120601})], this paper presents a nonlinear entropy law for the R13 system. The author concludes that thermodynamic field equations with desirable structural properties like entropy and Hamiltonian structures still need to be checked very carefully for physical accuracy. The 13-moment equations suggested by Öttinger have these properties but are inappropriate for kinetic gas theory due to inconsistencies. Still, the approach -- especially Öttinger's choice of variables -- can be used to establish a nonlinear extension of the regularized 13-moment equations which allows to formulate an entropy law with non-negative production and (locally) convex entropy. The existence of an underlying entropy law increases the confidence in this advanced model. The new extension of the R13 equations needs to be studied for nonlinear processes like shock waves and shock tubes.