Kinetics of Physicochemical Infiltration and Filtration Processes
Abstract
This report outlines progress during the grant period on unsteady fluid flow processes in porous networks, the structure of growing networks, and the applications of statistical mechanics to fundamental non-equilibrium processes. In flow processes a statistical theory for the clogging time of a filter was constructed that successfully accounts for numerical simulations of filtration in porous networks. In related research, a comprehensive theory was developed for the infiltration and breakthrough of a contaminant as it passes through a neutralizer-impregnated porous medium. Finally, a detailed theory was constructed for the dissolution kinetics of a solid medium under action of a reactive acidic fluid whose motion is strongly biased. In an independent area, fundamental theoretical advances about the structure of growing networks was made by applying the rate equations approach. By this formalism, the degree distributions of growing networks, as well as a host of basic geometrical properties were quantified. Finally, new results were obtained about the kinetics of a variety of fundamental non-equilibrium processes, such as the kinetics of traffic clustering, aggregation, annihilation, and fragmentation. The report is divided into the following sections: filtration - clogging time and its distribution, infiltration kinetics, dissolution kinetics, structure of growing networks, cooling of inelastic gases, phase transitions in traffic flows with passing, ballistic annihilation kinetics, stochastic aggregation, travelling wave formulation of fragmentation, and recursive fragmentation processes. A list of 18 publications and 14 conference papers related to this work is included.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA429172
Entities
People
- Sidney Redner
Organizations
- Boston University