Approximate kinetic equations in rarefied gas theory

The fundamental kinetic equation of gas theory, the Boltzniann equation, is a complex integrodiffcrential equation. The difficulties associated with its solution are the result not only of the large number of independent variables, seven in the general case, but also of the very complicated structure of the collision integral. However, for the mechanics of rarefied gases the primary interest lies not in the distribution function itself, which satisfies the Boltzmann equation, but rather in its first few moments, i.e., the averaged characteristics. This circumstance suggests the possibility of obtaining the averaged quantities by a simpler way than the direct method of direct solution of the Boltzmann equation with subsequent calculation of the integrals.It is well known that if a distribution function satisfies the Boltzmann equation, then its moments satisfy an infinite system of moment equations. Consequently, if we wish to obtain with satisfactory accuracy some number of first moments, then we must require that these moments satisfy the exact system of moment equations. However, this does not mean that to determine the moments of interest to us we must solve this system, particularly since the system of moment equations is not closed. The closure of the system by specifying the form of the distribution function (method of moments) can be considered only as a rough approximate method of solving problems. First, in this case it is not possible to satisfy all the equations and we must limit ourselves to certain of the equations; second, generally speaking, we do not know which equation the selected distribution function satisfies, and, consequently, we do not know to what degree it has the properties of the distribution function which satisfies the Boltzmann equation.A more reliable technique for solving the problems of rarefied gasdynamics is that based on the approximation of the Boltzmann equation, more precisely, the approximation of the collision integral. The idea of replacing the collision integral by a simpler expression is not new [1–4]. The kinetic equations obtained as a result of this replacement are usually termed model equations, since their derivation is usually based on physical arguments and not on the direct use of the properties of the Boltzmann collision integral. In this connection we do not know to what degree the solutions of the Boltzmann equation and the model equations are close, particularly since the latter do not yield the possibility of refining the solution. Exceptions are the kinetic model for the linearized Boltzmann equation [5] and the sequence of model equations of [6], constructed by a method which is to some degree analogous with that of [5].In the present paper we suggest for the simplification of the solution of rarefied gas mechanics problems a technique for constructing a sequence of approximate kinetic equations which is based on an approximation of the collision integral. For each approximate equation (i.e., equation with an approximate collision operator) the first few moment equations coincide with the exact moment equations. It is assumed that the accuracy of the approximate equation increases with increase of the number of exact moment equations. Concretely, the approximation for the collision integral consists of a suitable approximation of the reverse collision integral and the collision frequency. The reverse collision integral is represented in the form of the product of the collision frequency and a function which characterizes the molecular velocity distribution resulting from the collisions, where the latter is selected in the form of a locally Maxwellian function multiplied by a polynomial in terms of the components of the molecular proper velocities. The collision frequency is approximated by a suitable expression which depends on the problem conditions. For the majority of problems it may obviously be taken equal to the collision frequency calculated from the locally Maxwellian distribution function; if necessary the error resulting from the inexact calculation of the collision frequency may be reduced by iterations.To illustrate the method, we solve the simplest problem of rarefied gas theory-the problem on the relaxation of an initially homogeneous and isotropic distribution in an unbounded space to an equilibrium distribution.The author wishes to thank A. A. Nikol'skii for discussions of the study and V. A. Rykov for the numerical results presented for the exact solution.     

Investigation of slow monatomic gas flows past a circular cylinder

Slow low-Knudsen-number monatomic-gas flow past a circular cylinder is numerically investigated on the basis of a model kinetic equation. The gas flow is described by a new kinetic equation, from which the continuum equations for slow nonisothermal gas flows containing temperature stresses follow rigorously. It is shown that a closed convective-flow region arises near a nonuniformly heated cylinder in a slow gas flow if the flow impinges on the hot side of its surface. Using a new model of the Boltzmann equation makes it possible to study gas flows both in continuum and rarefied flow regimes.     

Boltzmann equation and moment equations in curvilinear coordinates

Various forms of writing the Boltzmann equation in an arbitrary orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system are discussed. The derivation is presented of a general transport equation and moment equations containing moments of the distribution function no higher than the fourth. For a gas of Maxwellian molecules it is shown that the system of moment equations for flows which differ little from equilibrium flows transforms into the system of hydrodynamic equations. The resulting equations may be useful in solving problems on motions of a rarefied gas by the moment methods. The results are valid for both the Boltzmann equation and model kinetic equations.The author wishes to thank A. A. Nikol'skii for discussions and helpful comments.     

GAS-KINETIC UNIFIED ALGORITHM FOR BOLTZMANN MODEL EQUATION IN ROTATIONAL NONEQUILIBRIUM AND ITS APPLICATION TO THE WHOLE RANGE FLOW REGIMES

基于过去开展稀薄自由分子流到连续流气体运动论统一算法框架,采用转动惯量描述气体分子自旋运动,确立含转动非平衡效应各流域统一玻尔兹曼模型方程.基于转动能量对分布函数守恒积分,得到计及转动非平衡效应气体分子速度分布函数方程组,使用离散速度坐标法对分布函数方程所依赖速度空间离散降维;应用拓展计算流体力学有限差分方法,构造直接求解分子速度分布函数的气体动理论数值格式;基于物面质量流量通量守恒与能量平衡关系,发展计及转动非平衡气体动理论边界条件数学模型及数值处理方法,提出模拟各流域转动非平衡效应玻尔兹曼模型方程统一算法.通过高、低不同马赫数1：5～25氮气激波结构与自由分子流到连续流全飞行流域不同克努森数（9×10^-4～10）Ramp制动器、圆球、尖双锥飞行器、飞船返回舱外形体再入跨流域绕流模拟研究,将计算结果与有关实验数据、稀薄流DSMC模拟值等结果对比分析,验证统一算法模拟自由分子流到连续流再入过程高超声速绕流问题的可靠性与精度.     

转动非平衡玻尔兹曼模型方程统一算法与全流域绕流计算应用

基于过去开展稀薄自由分子流到连续流气体运动论统一算法框架,采用转动惯量描述气体分子自旋运动,确立含转动非平衡效应各流域统一玻尔兹曼模型方程.基于转动能量对分布函数守恒积分,得到计及转动非平衡效应气体分子速度分布函数方程组,使用离散速度坐标法对分布函数方程所依赖速度空间离散降维;应用拓展计算流体力学有限差分方法,构造直接求解分子速度分布函数的气体动理论数值格式;基于物面质量流量通量守恒与能量平衡关系,发展计及转动非平衡气体动理论边界条件数学模型及数值处理方法,提出模拟各流域转动非平衡效应玻尔兹曼模型方程统一算法.通过高、低不同马赫数1:5～25氮气激波结构与自由分子流到连续流全飞行流域不同克努森数（9×10-4～10）Ramp制动器、圆球、尖双锥飞行器、飞船返回舱外形体再入跨流域绕流模拟研究,将计算结果与有关实验数据、稀薄流DSMC模拟值等结果对比分析,验证统一算法模拟自由分子流到连续流再入过程高超声速绕流问题的可靠性与精度.      

基于Boltzmann模型方程的气体运动论统一算法研究

模型方程出发,研究确立含流态控制参数可描述不同流域气体流动特征的气体分子速度分布函数方程; 研究发展气体运动论离散速度坐标法, 借助非定常时间分裂数值计算方法和NND差分格式, 结合DSMC方法关于分子运动与碰撞去耦技术, 发展直接求解速度分布函数的气体运动论耦合迭代数值格式; 研制可用于物理空间各点宏观流动取矩的离散速度数值积分方法, 由此提出一套能有效模拟稀薄流到连续流不同流域气体流动问题统一算法. 通过对不同Knudsen数下一维激波内流动、二维圆柱、三维球体绕流数值计算表明, 计算结果与有关实验数据及其它途径研究结果(如DSMC模拟值、N-S数值解)吻合较好, 证实气体运动论统一算法求解各流域气体流动问题的可行性. 尝试将统一算法进行HPF并行化程序设计, 基于对球体绕流及类``神舟'返回舱外形绕流问题进行HPF初步并行试算, 显示出统一算法具有很好的并行可扩展性, 可望建立起新型的能有效模拟各流域飞行器绕流HPF并行算法研究方向. 通过将气体运动论统一算法推广应用于微槽道流动计算研究, 已初步发展起可靠模拟二维短微槽道流动数值算法; 通过对Couette流、Poiseuille流、压力驱动的二维短槽道流数值模拟, 证实该算法对微槽道气体流动问题具有较强的模拟能力, 可望发展起基于Boltzmann模型方程能可靠模拟MEMS微流动问题气体运动论数值计算方法研究途径.      

稀薄流到连续流的气体运动论模型方程算法研究

通过引入碰撞松弛参数和当地平衡态分布函数对BGK模型方程进行修正，确定含流态控制参数可描述不同流域气体流动特性的气体分子速度分布函数的简化控制方程。发展和应用离散速度坐标法于气体分子速度空间，利用一套在物理空间和时间上连续而速度空间离散的分布函数来代替原分布函数对速度空间的连续依赖性。基于非定常时间分裂数值计算方法和无波动、无自由参数的NND耗散差分格式，建立直接求解气体分子速度分布函数的气体运动论有限差分数值方法。推广应用改进的Gauss-Hermite无穷积分法和华罗庚－王元提出的以单和逼近重积分的黄金分割数论积分方法等，对离散速度空间进行宏观取矩获取物理空间各点的气体流动参数，由此发展一套从稀薄流到连续流各流域统一的气体运动论数值算法。通过对不同Knudsen数下一维激波管问题、二维圆柱绕流和三维球体绕流的初步数值实验表明文中发展的数值算法是可行的。     

Resonance in rarefied gases

Dispersion and damping of ultrasound waves are a standard test for mathematical models of rarefied gas flows. Normally, one considers waves in semi-infinite systems in relatively large distance of the source. For a more complete picture, ultrasound propagation in finite closed systems of length L is studied by means of several models for rarefied gas flows: the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations, Grad’s 13 moment equations, the regularized 13 moment equations, and the Burnett equations. All systems of equations are considered in simple 1-D geometry with their appropriate jump and slip boundary conditions. Damping and resonance are studied in dependence of frequency and length. For small L, all wave modes contribute to the solution.     

Kramers’ problem and the Knudsen minimum: a theoretical analysis using a linearized 26-moment approach

A set of linearized 26 moment equations, along with their wall boundary conditions, are derived and used to study low-speed gas flows dominated by Knudsen layers. Analytical solutions are obtained for Kramers’ defect velocity and the velocity-slip coefficient. These results are compared to the numerical solution of the BGK kinetic equation. From the analysis, a new effective viscosity model for the Navier–Stokes equations is proposed. In addition, an analytical expression for the velocity field in planar pressure-driven Poiseuille flow is derived. The mass flow rate obtained from integrating the velocity profile shows good agreement with the results from the numerical solution of the linearized Boltzmann equation. These results are good for Knudsen numbers up to 3 and for a wide range of accommodation coefficients. The Knudsen minimum phenomenon is also well captured by the present linearized 26-moment equations.     

Rarefied gas flow in a triangular duct based on a boundary fitted lattice

The rarefied fully developed flow of a gas through a duct of a triangular cross section is solved in the whole range of the Knudsen number. The flow is modelled by the BGK kinetic equation, subject to Maxwell diffuse boundary conditions. The numerical solution is based on the discrete velocity method, which is applied for first time on a triangular lattice in the physical space. The boundaries of the flow and computational domains are identical deducing accurate results with modest computational effort. Results on the velocity profiles and on the flow rates for ducts of various triangular cross sections are reported and they are valid in the whole range of gas rarefaction. Their accuracy is validated in several ways, including the recovery of the analytical solutions at the free molecular and hydrodynamic limits. The successful implementation of the triangular grid elements is promising for generalizing kinetic type solutions to rarefied flows in domains with complex boundaries using adaptive and unstructured grids.     

Weakly rarefied gas flows between nonuniformly heated parallel plates

The aim of this research is to establish the validity of the predictions of the theory of slow nonisothermal flows, to study the limits of applicability (with respect to the Knudsen number) of the conclusions reached and to determine the effect of the Knudsen layers on these flows on the basis of a numerical investigation of slow nonisothermal weakly rarefied gas flow in a plane infinite channel with weakly nonequilibrium heating of the walls and a finite wall temperature difference. The gas flow is described by a relaxation transport equation. The results obtained show how quickly, as the Knudsen number decreases, the solutions of the transport equation outside the Knudsen layers tend to the solution of the equations of gas dynamics of slow nonisothermal flows (and not to the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations).Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No. 1, pp. 115–121, January–February, 1988.     

Gas-kinetic numerical method for solving mesoscopic velocity distribution function equation

A gas-kinetic numerical method for directly solving the mesoscopic velocity distribution function equation is presented and applied to the study of three-dimensional complex flows and micro-channel flows covering various flow regimes. The unified velocity distribution function equation describing gas transport phenomena from rarefied transition to continuum flow regimes can be presented on the basis of the kinetic Boltzmann–Shakhov model equation. The gas-kinetic finite-difference schemes for the velocity distribution function are constructed by developing a discrete velocity ordinate method of gas kinetic theory and an unsteady time-splitting technique from computational fluid dynamics. Gas-kinetic boundary conditions and numerical modeling can be established by directly manipulating on the mesoscopic velocity distribution function. A new Gauss-type discrete velocity numerical integration method can be developed and adopted to attack complex flows with different Mach numbers. HPF parallel strategy suitable for the gas-kinetic numerical method is investigated and adopted to solve three-dimensional complex problems. High Mach number flows around three-dimensional bodies are computed preliminarily with massive scale parallel. It is noteworthy and of practical importance that the HPF parallel algorithm for solving three-dimensional complex problems can be effectively developed to cover various flow regimes. On the other hand, the gas-kinetic numerical method is extended and used to study micro-channel gas flows including the classical Couette flow, the Poiseuille- channel flow and pressure-driven gas flows in two-dimensional short micro-channels. The numerical experience shows that the gas-kinetic algorithm may be a powerful tool in the numerical simulation of micro-scale gas flows occuring in the Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS). The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (90205009 and 10321002), and the National Parallel Computing Center in Beijing. The English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Nonlinear nonequilibrium kinetic model of the Boltzmann equation for a gas with power-law interaction

A model kinetic equation approximating the Boltzmann equation on a wide range of the intensities of nonequilibrium states of gases is derived to describe rarefied gas flows. The kinetic model is based on a distribution function dependent on the absolute velocity of gas particles. Themodel kinetic equation possesses a high computational efficiency and the problem of shock wave structure is solved on its basis. The calculated and experimental data for argon are compared.     

认识稀薄气体动力学

以通俗易懂的方式介绍了空气动力学当气体间断分子效应显著时发展起来的特殊分文——稀薄气体动力学、讨论了非平衡现象与稀薄气体动力学的关系．通过与8速度气体模型的间断Boltzmann方程的对比，解释了Boltzmann方程碰撞项的物理意义和数学困难，简要综述了其一般解法、讨论了分子在物体表面的反射和问题的边界条件，着重介绍了直接模拟Monte Carlo(DSMC)方法和为克服低速稀薄流动(如MEMS中流动)中模拟困难的信息保存(IP)方法。     

Accuracy of model kinetic equations

The accuracy of model kinetic equations is analyzed using the exact moment solutions of the Boltzmann–Maxwell equation for homoenergetic affine flows of a monatomic gas of Maxwellian molecules in the absence of external forces. Solutions of the third-order kinetic-moment equations for homogeneous shear flow and one-dimensional homogeneous expansion-collapse flow are considered. The principal advantages of the domestic Shakhov and, especially, Larina–Rykov models are demonstrated.     

Lattice Boltzmann model for predicting the deposition of inertial particles transported by a turbulent flow

Deposition of inertial solid particles transported by turbulent flows is modelled in a framework of a statistical approach based on the particle velocity Probability Density Function (PDF). The particle-turbulence interaction term is closed in the kinetic equation by a model widely inspired from the famous BGK model of the kinetic theory of rarefied gases. A Gauss-Hermite Lattice Boltzmann model is used to solve the closed kinetic equation involving the turbulence effect. The Lattice Boltzmann model is used for the case of the deposition of inertial particles transported by a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flows. Even if the carrier phase is homogeneous and isotropic, the presence of the wall coupled with particle-turbulence interactions leads to inhomogeneous particle distribution and non-equilibrium particle fluctuating motion. Despite these complexities the predictions of the Lattice Boltzmann model are in very good accordance with random-walk simulations. More specifically the mean particle velocity, the r.m.s. particle velocity and the deposition rate are all well predicted by the proposed Lattice Boltzmann model.     

Generalization of the Krook kinetic relaxation equation

One of the most significant achievements in rarefied gas theory in the last 20 years is the Krook model for the Boltzmann equation [1]. The Krook model relaxation equation retains all the features of the Boltzmann equation which are associated with free molecular motion and describes approximately, in a mean-statistical fashion, the molecular collisions. The structure of the collisional term in the Krook formula is the simplest of all possible structures which reflect the nature of the phenomenon. Careful and thorough study of the model relaxation equation [2–4], and also solution of several problems for this equation, have aided in providing a deeper understanding of the processes in a rarefied gas. However, the quantitative results obtained from the Krook model equation, with the exception of certain rare cases, differ from the corresponding results based on the exact solution of the Boltzmann equation. At least one of the sources of error is obvious. It is that, in going over to a continuum, the relaxation equation yields a Prandtl number equal to unity, while the exact value for a monatomic gas is 2/3.In a comparatively recent study [5] Holway proposed the use of the maximal probability principle to obtain a model kinetic equation which would yield in going over to a continuum the expressions for the stress tensor and the thermal flux vector with the proper viscosity and thermal conductivity.In the following we propose a technique for constructing a sequence of model equations which provide the correct Prandtl number. The technique is based on an approximation of the Boltzmann equation for pseudo-Maxwellian molecules using the method suggested by the author previously in [6], For arbitrary molecules each approximating equation may be considered a model equation. A comparison is made of our results with those of [5].     

Asymptotic theory of the Boltzmann system,for a steady flow of a slightly rarefied gas with a finite Mach number: General theory

A steady rarefied gas flow with Mach number of the order of unity around a body or bodies is considered. The general behaviour of the gas for small Knudsen numbers is studied by asymptotic analysis of the boundary-value problem of the Boltzmann equation for a general domain. The effect of gas rarefaction (or Knudsen number) is expressed as a power series of the square root of the Knudsen number of the system. A series of fluid-dynamic type equations and their associated boundary conditions that determine the component functions of the expansion of the density, flow velocity, and temperature of the gas is obtained by the analysis. The equations up to the order of the square root of the Knudsen number do not contain non-Navier–Stokes stress and heat flow, which differs from the claim by Darrozes (in Rarefied Gas Dynamics, Academic Press, New York, 1969). The contributions up to this order, except in the Knudsen layer, are included in the system of the Navier–Stokes equations and the slip boundary conditions consisting of tangential velocity slip due to the shear of flow and temperature jump due to the temperature gradient normal to the boundary.