A Viewpoint on Thermally-Induced Transport in Rarefied Gases through the Method of Fundamental Solutions

Abstract

Some phenomena pertaining to rarefied gases are beyond the reach of traditional fluid dynamics described, e.g., by the Euler or Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations. Therefore we adopt a recently developed model—referred to as the CCR model—to investigate thermally-induced transport in rarefied gases. To this end, the method of fundamental solutions is employed on the CCR model to investigate two problems: (i) a rarefied gas flow confined between two coaxial cylinders having different temperatures with the inner cylinder being circular while the outer being elliptical, and (ii) evaporation/condensation process in a rarefied vapor confined between two coaxial cylinders, again with the inner cylinder being circular and the outer being elliptical. Through a comprehensive analysis, the efficiency of the method of fundamental solutions is assessed. The work contributes toward a better understanding of thermally-induced confined rarefied gas flows.