Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
2009-01-26
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
40 pages
Scientific paper
A macroscopic theory for closure relations, referred to as the "thermodynamic field theory" (TFT), applied to systems out of Onsager's region, has been proposed a decade ago. The aim of this theory was to determine the nonlinear flux-force relations that respect the thermodynamic theorems for systems far from equilibrium. A new formulation of the TFT is presented herein. In this new version, one of the basic restrictions in the old theory, namely a closed-form solution for the skew-symmetric piece of the transport coefficients, has been removed. In addition, the general covariance principle is replaced by the De Donder-Prigogine thermodynamic covariance principle (TCP). The introduction of TCP requires the application of an appropriate mathematical formalism, which is referred to as the "iso-entropic formalism". The validity of the Glansdorff-Prigogine Universal Criterion of Evolution, via geometrical arguments, is proven. A new set of closure equations determining the nonlinear corrections to the linear ("Onsager") transport coefficients is also derived. The geometry of the thermodynamic space is non-Riemannian tending to be Riemannian for hight values of the entropy production. In this limit, we obtain again the transport equations found by the old theory. Applications of the theory, such as transport in magnetically confined plasmas, materials submitted to temperature and electric potential gradients or to unimolecular triangular chemical reactions can be found at references cited herein. Transport processes in tokamak plasmas are of particular interest. In this case, even in absence of turbulence, the state of the plasma remains close to (but, it is not in) a state of local equilibrium. This prevents the transport relations from being linear.
No associations
LandOfFree
A Nonlinear Closure Relations Theory for Transport Processes in Non-Equilibrium Systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with A Nonlinear Closure Relations Theory for Transport Processes in Non-Equilibrium Systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A Nonlinear Closure Relations Theory for Transport Processes in Non-Equilibrium Systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-372360