Showing papers on "Knudsen number published in 2016"

Modeling Nonequilibrium Gas Flow Based on Moment Equations

Abstract: This article discusses the development of continuum models to describe processes in gases in which the particle collisions cannot maintain thermal equilibrium. Such a situation typically is present in rarefied or diluted gases, for flows in microscopic settings, or in general whenever the Knudsen number—the ratio between the mean free path of the particles and a macroscopic length scale—becomes significant. The continuum models are based on the stochastic description of the gas by Boltzmann's equation in kinetic gas theory. With moment approximations, extended fluid dynamic equations can be derived, such as the regularized 13-moment equations. Moment equations are introduced in detail, and typical results are reviewed for channel flow, cavity flow, and flow past a sphere in the low–Mach number setting for which both evolution equations and boundary conditions are well established. Conversely, nonlinear, high-speed processes require special closures that are still under development. Current approaches are ...

Size-dependent thermo-mechanical vibration and instability of conveying fluid functionally graded nanoshells based on Mindlin's strain gradient theory

Abstract: The free vibration and instability characteristics of nanoshells made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) with internal fluid flow in thermal environment are studied in this paper based upon the first-order shear deformation shell theory. In order to capture the size effects, Mindlin's strain gradient theory (SGT) is utilized. The mechanical and thermal properties of FG nanoshell are determined by the power-law relation of volume fractions. The Knudsen number is considered to analyze the slip boundary conditions between the flow and wall of nanoshell, and the average velocity correction parameter is used to obtain the modified flow velocity of nano-flow. The governing partial differential equations of motion and associated boundary conditions are derived by Hamilton's principle. An analytical solution method is also employed to solve the governing equations under the simply-supported end conditions. Then, some numerical examples are presented to investigate the effects of fluid velocity, longitudinal and circumferential mode numbers, length scale parameters, material properties, temperature difference and compressive axial loads on the natural frequencies, critical flow velocities and instability of system.

Longitudinal vibration and instabilities of carbon nanotubes conveying fluid considering size effects of nanoflow and nanostructure

Abstract: In this study, the effects of small-scale of the both nanoflow and nanostructure on the vibrational response of fluid flowing single-walled carbon nanotubes are investigated. To this purpose, two various flowing fluids, the air-nano-flow and the water nano-flow using Knudsen number, and two different continuum theories, the nonlocal theory and the strain-inertia gradient theory are studied. Nano-rod model is used to model the fluid-structure interaction, and Galerkin method of weighted residual is utilizing to solve and discretize the governing obtained equations. It is found that the critical flow velocity decreases as the wave number increases, excluding the first mode divergence that it has the least value among of the other instabilities if the strain-inertia gradient theory is employed. Moreover, it is observed that Kn effect has considerable impact on the reduction of critical velocities especially for the air-flow flowing through the CNT. In addition, by increasing a nonlocal parameter and Knudsen number the critical flow velocity decreases but it increases as the characteristic length related to the strain-inertia gradient theory increases.

Study of Gas Flow Characteristics in Tight Porous Media with a Microscale Lattice Boltzmann Model

Abstract: To investigate the gas flow characteristics in tight porous media, a microscale lattice Boltzmann (LB) model with the regularization procedure is firstly adopted to simulate gas flow in three-dimensional (3D) digital rocks. A shale digital rock and a sandstone digital rock are reconstructed to study the effects of pressure, temperature and pore size on microscale gas flow. The simulation results show that because of the microscale effect in tight porous media, the apparent permeability is always higher than the intrinsic permeability, and with the decrease of pressure or pore size, or with the increase of temperature, the difference between apparent permeability and intrinsic permeability increases. In addition, the Knudsen numbers under different conditions are calculated and the results show that gas flow characteristics in the digital rocks under different Knudsen numbers are quite different. With the increase of Knudsen number, gas flow in the digital rocks becomes more uniform and the effect of heterogeneity of the porous media on gas flow decreases. Finally, two commonly used apparent permeability calculation models are evaluated by the simulation results and the Klinkenberg model shows better accuracy. In addition, a better proportionality factor in Klinkenberg model is proposed according to the simulation results.

Theory of the Lattice Boltzmann method: Derivation of macroscopic equations via the Maxwell iteration

Abstract: We propose using the Maxwell iteration to derive the hydrodynamic equations from the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE) with an external forcing term. The proposed methodology differs from existing approaches in several aspects. First, it need not explicitly introduce multiple-timescales or the Knudsen number, both of which are required in the Chapman-Enskog analysis. Second, it need not use the Hilbert expansion of the hydrodynamic variables, which is necessary in the asymptotic analysis of the LBE. The proposed methodology assumes the acoustic scaling (or the convective scaling) δ(t)∼δ(x), thus δ(t) is the only expansion parameter in the analysis of the LBE system, and it leads to the Navier-Stokes equations in compressible form. The forcing density derived in this work can reproduce existing forcing schemes by adjusting appropriate parameters. The proposed methodology also analyzes the numerical accuracy of the LBE. In particular, it shows the Mach number Ma should scale as O(δ(t)(1/3)) to maintain the truncation errors due to Ma and δ(t) in balance when δ(t)→0, so that the LBE can converge to the expected hydrodynamic equations effectively and efficiently.

Gas permeation through nanoporous membranes in the transitional flow region.

Abstract: An experimental study on the permeability of anodic alumina (20-120 nm) and track-etched (30 nm) nanoporous membranes for different gases in the transitional flow regime is reported in the range of Knudsen numbers from 0.1 to 10. A significant variation (up to 30%) of the membrane permeance for different gases at the same Knudsen numbers is reported with certainty. It is established that this discrepancy relates to a molecule's effective collision area, which is poorly described in the frameworks of conventional gas permeation models. Two models are proposed for the description of the effect: self-diffusion of penetrate gases due to intermolecular collisions and enhancement of the slip flow contribution due to tangential momentum accommodation growth with the decrease of a molecule's effective collision area. The best fit parameters for the simultaneous fit of the experimental data with different models for 30 membrane-gas pairs are given.

Simulation of microscale gas flow in heterogeneous porous media based on the lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract: A microscale multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann model with the regularization procedure is adopted to simulate gas flow in different porous media. The diffuse reflection boundary condition is used to deal with the random solid boundaries. Because of the complex geometry of the pores, the characteristic length is no longer a constant but a function of the pore locations for the porous media. A rational method is proposed to obtain the local characteristic lengths of the porous media for the microscale gas flow simulations. The simulation results show that gas flow characteristics in different flow regions are notably different. In the continuum flow region and slip flow region, the gas flow abilities in different pores are quite different. The effect of heterogeneity of the porous media on gas velocity distribution is very obvious. As the Knudsen number increases, the differences of gas flow abilities in different pores decrease. For gas flow in the strong transition flow region and free molecular flo...

Hydrodynamic description of an unmagnetized plasma with multiple ion species. I. General formulation

Abstract: A generalization of the Braginskii ion fluid description [S. I. Braginskii, Sov. Phys. - JETP 6, 358 (1958)] to the case of an unmagnetized collisional plasma with multiple ion species is presented. An asymptotic expansion in the ion Knudsen number is used to derive the individual ion species continuity, as well as the total ion mass density, momentum, and energy evolution equations accurate through the second order. Expressions for the individual ion species drift velocities with respect to the center of mass reference frame, as well as for the total ion heat flux and viscosity, which are required to close the fluid equations, are evaluated in terms of the first-order corrections to the lowest order Maxwellian ion velocity distribution functions. A variational formulation for evaluating such corrections and its relation to the plasma entropy are presented. Employing trial functions for the corrections, written in terms of expansions in generalized Laguerre polynomials, and maximizing the resulting functionals produce two systems of linear equations (for “vector” and “tensor” portions of the corrections) for the expansion coefficients. A general matrix formulation of the linear systems as well as expressions for the resulting transport fluxes are presented in forms convenient for numerical implementation. The general formulation is employed in Paper II [A. N. Simakov and K. Molvig, Phys. Plasmas 23, 032116 (2016)] to evaluate the individual ion drift velocities and the total ion heat flux and viscosity for specific cases of two and three ion species plasmas.

Non-equilibrium dynamics of dense gas under tight confinement

Abstract: The force-driven Poiseuille flow of dense gases between two parallel plates is investigated through the numerical solution of the generalized Enskog equation for two-dimensional hard discs. We focus on the competing effects of the mean free path (Formula presented.), the channel width (Formula presented.) and the disc diameter (Formula presented.). For elastic collisions between hard discs, the normalized mass flow rate in the hydrodynamic limit increases with (Formula presented.) for a fixed Knudsen number (defined as (Formula presented.)), but is always smaller than that predicted by the Boltzmann equation. Also, for a fixed (Formula presented.), the mass flow rate in the hydrodynamic flow regime is not a monotonically decreasing function of (Formula presented.) but has a maximum when the solid fraction is approximately 0.3. Under ultra-tight confinement, the famous Knudsen minimum disappears, and the mass flow rate increases with (Formula presented.), and is larger than that predicted by the Boltzmann equation in the free-molecular flow regime; for a fixed (Formula presented.), the smaller (Formula presented.) is, the larger the mass flow rate. In the transitional flow regime, however, the variation of the mass flow rate with (Formula presented.) is not monotonic for a fixed (Formula presented.): the minimum mass flow rate occurs at (Formula presented.). For inelastic collisions, the energy dissipation between the hard discs always enhances the mass flow rate. Anomalous slip velocity is also found, which decreases with increasing Knudsen number. The mechanism for these exotic behaviours is analysed.

Divergence of the Chapman-Enskog expansion in relativistic kinetic theory

Abstract: In this letter we show for the first time that the relativistic Chapman-Enskog series for a massless gas undergoing Bjorken expansion diverges. In order to fix this problem, we propose a novel type of expansion that includes non-perturbative contributions in the Knudsen number that are not considered in Chapman-Enskog theory. This approach is in good agreement with exact solutions of the Boltzmann equation for a wide range of values of Knudsen number and does not display the clear signs of divergence exhibited by the Chapman-Enskog series.

The physics of confined flow and its application to water leaks, water permeation and water nanoflows: a review

Abstract: This review assesses the current state of understanding of the calculation of the rate of flow of gases, vapours and liquids confined in channels, in porous media and in permeable materials with an emphasis on the flow of water and its vapour. One motivation is to investigate the relation between the permeation rate of moisture and that of a noncondensable test gas such as helium, another is to assist in unifying theory and experiment across disparate fields. Available theories of single component ideal gas flows in channels of defined geometry (cylindrical, rectangular and elliptical) are described and their predictions compared with measurement over a wide range of conditions defined by the Knudsen number. Theory for two phase flows is assembled in order to understand the behaviour of four standard water leak configurations: vapour, slug, Washburn and liquid flow, distinguished by the number and location of phase boundaries (menisci). Air may or may not be present as a background gas. Slip length is an important parameter that greatly affects leak rates. Measurements of water vapour flows confirm that water vapour shows ideal gas behaviour. Results on carbon nanotubes show that smooth walls may lead to anomalously high slip lengths arising from the properties of 'confined' water. In porous media, behaviour can be matched to the four standard leaks. Traditional membrane permeation models consider that the permeant dissolves, diffuses and evaporates at the outlet side, ideas we align with those from channel flow. Recent results on graphite oxide membranes show examples where helium which does not permeate while at the same time moisture is almost unimpeded, again a result of confined water. We conclude that while there is no a priori relation between a noncondensable gas flow and a moisture flow, measurements using helium will give results within two orders of magnitude of the moisture flow rate, except in the case where there is anomalous slip or confined water, when moisture specific measurements are essential.

Extended application of lattice Boltzmann method to rarefied gas flow in micro-channels

Abstract: Simulation of rarefied gas flow in micro-channels is of great interest owing to its diverse applications in many engineering fields. In this study, a multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann (MRT-LB) model with a general second-order slip boundary condition is presented to investigate the behaviour of gas flow with a wide range of Knudsen number in micro-channels. With the aid of a Bosanquet-type effective viscosity, the effective relaxation time is correlated with local Knudsen number (Kn) to account for the varying degree of rarefaction effect. Unlike previous studies, the derived accommodation coefficient r for the combined bounce-back/diffusive reflection (CBBDR) boundary condition is dependent on the local Kn, which allows more flexibility to simulate the slip velocity along the channel walls. When compared with results of other methods, such as linearised Boltzmann equation, experimental data, direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) and Information Preservation DSMC (IP-DSMC), it is found that the LB model is capable of capturing the flow behaviour, including the velocity profile, flow rate, pressure distribution and Knudsen minimum of rarefied gas with Kn up to 10. The effect of Knudsen layer (KL) on the velocity of gas flow with a wide range of Kn is also discussed. It is found that KL effect is negligible in the continuum flow and y -independent in the free molecular flow, while in the intermediate range, especially in transition flow, KL effect is significant and particular efforts should be made to capture this effect.

Plasma kinetic effects on interfacial mix

Abstract: Mixing at interfaces in dense plasma media is a problem central to inertial confinement fusion and high energy density laboratory experiments. In this work, collisional particle-in-cell simulations are used to explore kinetic effects arising during the mixing of unmagnetized plasma media. Comparisons are made to the results of recent analytical theory in the small Knudsen number limit and while the bulk mixing properties of interfaces are in general agreement, some differences arise. In particular, “super-diffusive” behavior, large diffusion velocity, and large Knudsen number are observed in the low density regions of the species mixing fronts during the early evolution of a sharp interface prior to the transition to a slow diffusive process in the small-Knudsen-number limit predicted by analytical theory. A center-of-mass velocity profile develops as a result of the diffusion process and conservation of momentum.

An improved macroscale model for gas slip flow in porous media

Abstract: We report on a refined macroscopic model for slightly compressible gas slip flow in porous media developed by upscaling the pore-scale boundary value problem. The macroscopic model is validated by comparisons with an analytic solution on a two-dimensional (2-D) ordered model structure and with direct numerical simulations on random microscale structures. The symmetry properties of the apparent slip-corrected permeability tensor in the macroscale momentum equation are analysed. Slip correction at the macroscopic scale is more accurately described if an expansion in the Knudsen number, beyond the first order considered so far, is employed at the closure level. Corrective terms beyond the first order are a signature of the curvature of solid–fluid interfaces at the pore scale that is incompletely captured by the classical first-order correction at the macroscale. With this expansion, the apparent slip-corrected permeability is shown to be the sum of the classical intrinsic permeability tensor and tensorial slip corrections at the successive orders of the Knudsen number. All the tensorial effective coefficients can be determined from intrinsic and coupled but easy-to-solve closure problems. It is further shown that the complete form of the slip boundary condition at the microscale must be considered and an important general feature of this slip condition at the different orders in the Knudsen number is highlighted. It justifies the importance of slip-flow correction terms beyond the first order in the Knudsen number in the macroscopic model and sheds more light on the physics of slip flow in the general case, especially for large porosity values. Nevertheless, this new nonlinear dependence of the apparent permeability with the Knudsen number should be further verified experimentally.

Particle Ellipsoidal Statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook Approach for Simulation of Hypersonic Shocks

Abstract: To reduce the computational costs related to direct simulation Monte Carlo computations for low Knudsen number flows, a new particle method, based on the ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook model of the Boltzmann equation, is investigated. In this method, a fraction of the computational particles in a cell is selected for velocity reassignment from the local Maxwellian distribution based the local collision frequency and an even smaller fraction is selected for internal mode energy reassignment based on the rotational and vibrational relaxation rates. A scaling algorithm is used to decrease the required number of particles per cell and to guarantee that the energy and momentum are conserved in each time step. The accuracy and efficiency of the ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook method are tested in three different test cases and the results are compared with the direct simulation Monte Carlo solution and experiment as well. The ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook approach is...