fenicsR13

We present a mixed finite element solver for the linearized regularized 13-moment equations of non-equilibrium gas dynamics. The Python implementation builds upon the software tools provided by the FEniCS computing platform. We describe a new tensorial approach utilizing the extension capabilities of FEniCS’ Unified Form Language to define required differential operators for tensors above second degree. The presented solver serves as an example for implementing tensorial variational formulations in FEniCS, for which the documentation and literature seem to be very sparse. Using the software abstraction levels provided by the Unified Form Language allows an almost one-to-one correspondence between the underlying mathematics and the resulting source code. Test cases support the correctness of the proposed method using validation with exact solutions. To justify the usage of extended gas flow models, we discuss typical application cases involving rarefaction effects. We provide the documented and validated solver publicly.

Coupled constitutive relations: a second law based higher-order closure for hydrodynamics

In the classical framework, the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations are obtained through the linear uncoupled thermodynamic force-flux relations which guarantee the non-negativity of the entropy production. However, the conventional thermodynamic descrip- tion is only valid when the Knudsen number is sufficiently small. Here, it is shown that the range of validity of the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations can be extended by incorporating the nonlinear coupling among the thermodynamic forces and fluxes. The resulting system of conservation laws closed with the coupled constitutive relations is able to describe many interesting rarefaction effects, such as Knudsen paradox, transpiration flows, thermal stress, heat flux without temperature gradients, etc., which cannot be predicted by the classical Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations. For this system of equations, a set of phenomenological boundary conditions, which respect the second law of thermodynamics, is also derived. Some of the benchmark problems in fluid mechanics are studied to show the applicability of the derived equations and boundary conditions.

Parametric Study of Rarefaction Effects on Micro- and Nanoscale Thermal Flows in Porous Structures

Hydrodynamics and heat transfer in micro/nano channels filled with porous media for different porosities and Knudsen numbers, Kn, ranging from 0.1 to 10, are considered. The performance of standard lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is confined to the microscale flows with a Knudsen number less than 0.1. Therefore, by considering the rarefaction effect on the viscosity and thermal conductivity, a modified thermal LBM is used, which is able to extend the ability of LBM to simulate wide range of Knudsen flow regimes. The present study reports the effects of the Knudsen number and porosity on the flow rate, permeability, and mean Nusselt number. The Knudsen's minimum effect for micro/nano channels filled with porous media was observed. In addition to the porosity and Knudsen number, the obstacle sizes have important role in the heat transfer, so that enhanced heat transfer is observed when the obstacle sizes decrease. For the same porosity and Knudsen number, the inline porous structure has the highest heat transfer performance.