A continuum theory of dense suspensions

A continuum theory is introduced for viscous fluids carrying dense suspensions (such as blood) or emulsions of arbitrary shape and inertia. Suspended particles possess microinertia that make the mixture an anisotropic fluid whose viscosity changes with motion and orientation of suspensions. The microinertia balance law coupled with the equations of motion of an anisotropic fluid govern the ultimate outcome. By means of the second law of thermodynamics, constitutive equations are obtained in terms of the frame-independent tensors. In a special case, a theory of bar-like suspensions is obtained. The field equations, boundary and initial conditions are given for both the arbitrarily-shaped suspensions and the bar-like suspensions. The theory is demonstrated with the solution of the channel flow problem. The mean viscosity of the fluid with suspensions is determined. The motions of suspensions down flow are demonstrated.     

A continuum theory of dense suspensions

A continuum theory is introduced for viscous fluids carrying dense suspensions (such as blood) or emulsions of arbitrary shape and inertia. Suspended particles possess microinertia that make the mixture an anisotropic fluid whose viscosity changes with motion and orientation of suspensions. The microinertia balance law coupled with the equations of motion of an anisotropic fluid govern the ultimate outcome. By means of the second law of thermodynamics, constitutive equations are obtained in terms of the frame-independent tensors. In a special case, a theory of bar-like suspensions is obtained. The field equations, boundary and initial conditions are given for both the arbitrarily-shaped suspensions and the bar-like suspensions. The theory is demonstrated with the solution of the channel flow problem. The mean viscosity of the fluid with suspensions is determined. The motions of suspensions down flow are demonstrated.     

On the paradoxical behavior of a cyclic device working with a non-Boltzmannian fluid

According to standard thermodynamics, the efficiency of a cyclic machine is strictly lower than one. Such a result is a straightforward consequence of the second principle of thermodynamics. Recent advances in the study of the thermodynamics of long-range interacting system report however on a rather intricate zoology of peculiar behaviors, which are occasionally in contrast with customarily accepted scenarios, dueling with intuition and common sense. In this paper, a thermodynamical cycle is assembled for an ideal device working with non-Boltzmanian long-range fluid and operating in contact with two thermal reservoirs. Assuming the microcanonical or canonical temperature to be the correct thermodynamic temperature, we obtain a paradoxical conclusion: the system is in fact analytically shown to violate the second principle of thermodynamics. This phenomenon ultimately relates to the existence of regions in the canonical ensemble where the energy decreases with the average kinetic temperature. We argue that the validity of the second principle of thermodynamics can be possibly regained, by revisiting the definition of canonical ensemble, as well as the Fourier law of heat transport, and consequently relaxing the constraint on the maximal efficiency as imposed by the Carnot theorem.     

水动力-热动力学的极值定律

本文对水动力学和更普通性的连续介体动力学中以连续方程与运动方程所表达的现有诸经典守恒定律以外,提出另一最大能量消散率定律.这一定律的推论就是应用水力学中培纶格-波丝最小储存能学说. 凡在运动中消散了的机械能皆转化成为热能,储存在物体里.能量之消散当一定时刻一定温度都使产熵增加.所以,从最大能量消散率可引出热力学第二定律的一个新概念,即机械运动的产熵率也总是一个可能的最大值. 文中建议的这个连续介体极值定律,可从变分原理推导出来,重订热力学第二定律则可藉微观分析加以证明.两者合成水动力-热动力学极值定律     

Second class particles as microscopic characteristics in totally asymmetric nearest-neighbor -exclusion processes

We prove laws of large numbers for a second class particle in one-dimensional totally asymmetric -exclusion processes, under hydrodynamic Euler scaling. The assumption required is that initially the ambient particle configuration converges to a limiting profile. The macroscopic trajectories of second class particles are characteristics and shocks of the conservation law of the particle density. The proof uses a variational representation of a second class particle, to overcome the problem of lack of information about invariant distributions. But we cannot rule out the possibility that the flux function of the conservation law may be neither differentiable nor strictly concave. To give a complete picture we discuss the construction, uniqueness, and other properties of the weak solution that the particle density obeys.

     

Continua described by a microstructural field

Using a balance law for microforces and an appropriate statement of the second law of thermodynamics, a framework is provided for continuum theories that involve a microstructural variable. Examples of specific physical theories that fall within that framework—spanning internal state-variable theories for plasticity and polymeric solutions, order-parameter based theories for phase transitions, and various theories for liquid crystals-are given.     

Time-reversal symmetry,Poincaré recurrence,irreversibility, and the entropic arrow of time: From mechanics to system thermodynamics

In this paper, we use a large-scale dynamical systems perspective to provide a system-theoretic foundation for thermodynamics. Specifically, using a state space formulation, we develop a nonlinear compartmental dynamical system model characterized by energy conservation laws that is consistent with basic thermodynamic principles. In addition, we establish the existence of a unique, continuously differentiable global entropy function for our large-scale dynamical system, and using Lyapunov stability theory we show that the proposed thermodynamic model has convergent trajectories to Lyapunov stable equilibria determined by the system initial energies. Finally, using the system entropy, we establish the absence of Poincaré recurrence for our thermodynamic model and develop a clear connection between irreversibility, the second law of thermodynamics, and the entropic arrow of time.     

A new entropy functional for a scalar conservation law

In this paper we introduce a new entropy functional for a scalar convex conservation law that generalizes the traditional concept of entropy of the second law of thermodynamics. The generalization has two aspects: The new entropy functional is defined not for one but for two solutions. It is defined in terms of the L₁ distance between the two solutions as well as the variations of each separate solution. In addition, it is decreasing in time even when the solutions contain no shocks and is therefore stronger than the traditional entropy even in the case when one of the solutions is zero. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

On thermodynamics of some phase change models

We consider some models of phase changes extending the previous theory given by Visintin and Frédmond. We also consider the second law of thermodynamics for the study of the phase change and find the restrictions implied by this law on the proposed models. Finally we consider also a suitable thermodynamic potential playing the role of a free energy for the evolution problem.     

Weak Convergence of Solutions of the Liouville Equation for Nonlinear Hamiltonian Systems

We suggest sufficient conditions for the existence of weak limits of solutions of the Liouville equation as time increases indefinitely. The presence of the weak limit of the probability distribution density leads to a new interpretation of the second law of thermodynamics for entropy increase.     

Statistical irreversibility of the Kac reversible circular model

The Kac circular model is a discrete dynamical system which has the property of recurrence and reversibility. Within the framework of this model M. Kac formulated necessary conditions for irreversibility over “short” time intervals to take place and demonstrated Boltzmann’s most important exploration methods and ideas, outlining their advantages and limitations. We study the circular model within the realm of the theory of Gibbs ensembles and offer a new approach to a rigorous proof of the “zeroth” law of thermodynamics based on the analysis of weak convergence of probability distributions.     

A mathematical model for phase separation: A generalized Cahn–Hilliard equation

In this paper we present a mathematical model to describe the phenomenon of phase separation, which is modelled as space regions where an order parameter changes smoothly. The model proposed, including thermal and mixing effects, is deduced for an incompressible fluid, so the resulting differential system couples a generalized Cahn–Hilliard equation with the Navier–Stokes equation. Its consistency with the second law of thermodynamics in the classical Clausius–Duhem form is finally proved. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Radiative processes and non-equilibrium thermodynamics

With the assumption of an elementary physical concept meteorologically effective radiative processes (absorption-emission, scattering) can be included consistently in nonequilibrium thermodynamics of irreversible phenomena. Analogously to the usual Gibbs relations a fundamental equation was formulated for monochromatic light rays as the nucleus of the theory.Using the methods of classical irreversible theory, a complete entropy balance equation is derived in which the entropy variations of the mass as well as of the radiation field are explicitly represented. The resulting entropy source strength function through its analytical structure reveals the dynamical character of the irreversible variation terms. The-expression being positive according to the second law of thermodynamics is found to have a bilinear form as a function of the irreversible fluxes representing the entropy generating radiative processes and their conjugated thermodynamic forces. The mathematical structure and the positive sign of, following the usual line of reasoning, motivate the assumption of constitutive relations for the irreversible radiative processes. These equations developed from purely thermodynamical reasoning turn out to be equivalent to the usual radiative transfer equation which is founded on a very different theoretical concept. A very fundamental relationship can be deduced in this context from the entropy production function. It provides a direct thermodynamical proof that in nonscattering media the definition of a local temperature is necessarily accompanied by the validity of the Kirchhoff law.     

Gibbs ensembles,equidistribution of the energy of sympathetic oscillators and statistical models of thermostat

The paper develops an approach to the proof of the “zeroth” law of thermodynamics. The approach is based on the analysis of weak limits of solutions to the Liouville equation as time grows infinitely. A class of linear oscillating systems is indicated for which the average energy becomes eventually uniformly distributed among the degrees of freedom for any initial probability density functions. An example of such systems are sympathetic pendulums. Conditions are found for nonlinear Hamiltonian systems with finite number of degrees of freedom to converge in a weak sense to the state where the mean energies of the interacting subsystems are the same. Some issues related to statistical models of the thermostat are discussed.      

On the central limit theorem for modulus trimmed sums

We prove a functional central limit theorem for modulus trimmed i.i.d. variables in the domain of attraction of a nonnormal stable law. In contrast to the corresponding result under ordinary trimming, our CLT contains a random centering factor which is inevitable in the nonsymmetric case. The proof is based on the weak convergence of a two-parameter process where one of the parameters is time and the second one is the fraction of truncation.     

Information and system modelling

In this paper, we first give a clear mathematical definition of information. Then based on this definition of information we consider two routes of system modelling. One route is with stochastic information and the other route is with deterministic information. The route with stochastic information gives the usual information theory where information is carried by random variables or stochastic processes. With this route of stochastic information we can derive quantum mechanics. Then our new feature is the route with deterministic information. We show that with deterministic information we can establish deterministic quantum systems (which are quantum systems with no probability interpretation). From these deterministic quantum systems we can derive the three laws of thermodynamics and resolve the paradox between the second law of thermodynamics and the evolution phenomena of the world. We resolve this paradox by clarifying the relation between Shannon information entropy, Boltzmann entropy and the entropy for the second law. This clarification also solves the negative entropy problem of Schroedinger. These deterministic quantum systems which are established with deterministic information can be regarded as solutions to the the debate between Bohr and Einstein and the measurement problem of quantum mechanics because of their deterministic nature and their quantum structure.     

Singular and selfsimilar solutions for Euler equations with phase transitions

Riemann problems for the full set of Euler equations for two phases with phase transition are considered. Based on the assumptions across the phase boundary kinetic relations to describe the mass transfer between the phase are derived from the second law of thermodynamics. Self-similar as well as singular solutions can be constructed. For both cases the structure of the solution is discussed.     

More around Cattaneo equation to describe heat transfer processes

We revisit Cattaneo's derivation of the equation describing heat transfer and bearing his name, finding a more elaborated model equation, that we will compare with the time-lagged model. This equation does not comply with the second law of thermodynamics, as well as Cattaneo equation. The latter, however, is known to have provided meaningful results in certain experiments conducted in some liquids and solids at very low temperature. These experiments also match the results given by a nonlinear model proposed by A. Morro and T. Ruggeri in 1988, which instead does meet the laws of thermodynamics. A comparison is made with such a model too.     

Extended crystal PDE’S stability,II: The extended crystal MHD-PDE’S

This paper is the second part of a work devoted to the algebraic topological characterization of PDE’s stability, and its relationship with an important class of PDE’s called extended crystals PDE’s in the sense introduced in [A. Prástaro, Extended crystal PDE’s (submitted for publication)]. In fact, their integral bordism groups can be considered as extensions of subgroups of crystallographic groups. This allows us to identify a characteristic class that measures the obstruction to the existence of global solutions. In part I [A. Prástaro, Extended crystal PDE’s stability, I: The general theory, Math. Comput. Modelling, 49 (9–10) (2009) 1759–1780] we identified criteria to recognize PDE’s that are stable (in extended Ulam sense) and in their regular smooth solutions, finite time instabilities do not occur (stable extended crystal PDE’s). Here, we study in some detail, a new PDE encoding anisotropic incompressible magnetohydrodynamics. Stable extended crystal MHD-PDE’s are obtained, where in their smooth solutions, instabilities do not occur in finite time. These results are considered first for systems without a body energy source, and later, by also introducing a contribution from an energy source, in order to take into account nuclear energy production. A condition in order that solutions satisfy the second principle of thermodynamics is given.