Studies on the hydrodynamic equations based on the theory of diffusive volume transport

Abstract

A recently formulated continuum theory has postulated that the momentum per unit volume of fluid differs from the mass flux whenever there are density gradients in the fluid resulting from the molecular transport of heat or mass. In such cases, the Navier-Stokes equations are unable to correctly predict the continuum fields and observed flow phenomena. A new set of continuum equations has been postulated to take into account density inhomogeneities in the fluid, and the consequent difference between the fluid's momentum per unit mass and mass velocity. In this thesis, the modified set of continuum equations is used to solve problems related to fluid flow in the presence of heat and mass transport. Additionally, this thesis includes a comparison between the momentum per unit volume and the mass flux of a fluid calculated from the generalized kinetic equation of Klimontovich.