Theoretical models for the thermo-gravitational separation process in porous media filled by N-component mixtures

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present a theoretical analysis of the separation of an N-component mixture. In this study, two analytical models explaining the thermo-gravitational separation of components in N-component mixtures for vertical cavity filled by a porous medium are presented and assessed. The basic state and the separation are expressed in terms of the separation ratio, and the Lewis, cross-diffusion and Rayleigh numbers. Our computational analysis confirms that, for the given values of the mass fractions, thermodiffusion can be measured with a thermo-gravitational column, strongly supporting the experimentally determined transport coefficients.

On species separation in n-component mixture under microgravity

“…The theoretical study of the thermogravitational separation process of n-component mixture inside a vertical column, under gravity conditions, was the subject of a communication at the French Mechanical congress in 2017 [12]. This study focused on a bi-dimensional vertical thermogravitational column.…”

Topical issue on non-isothermal transport in complex fluids

“…Such a research trend is also present in this topical issue, which includes a contribution by Hafskjold [13] who, using molecular dynamics, studies transient thermodiffusion in a binary Lennard-Jones fluid. In addition, Mutschler et al [14] present a CFD study of convection of a ternary mixture in a porous medium.…”

Thermosolutal Convection in a Porous Medium Cavity Subjected to Heat and Mass Flux: A Discrete Fracture Effect

“…A comparison of the calculated values of the Soret coefficient and the experimental data obtained has been presented with a satisfactory agreement. In terms of the separation ratio, and the cross-diffusion, Lewis and Rayleigh numbers, Mutschler et al [12] suggests two analytical models to describe the thermogravitational separation of N-component mixtures in a vertical cavity filled by a porous medium. Their theoretical model supports strongly the experimental results.…”