Heat transfer and evaporation/condensation problems based on the linearized Boltzmann equation

A polynomial expansion procedure and an analytical discrete-ordinates method are used to solve four basic problems, all based on the linearized Boltzmann equation for rigid-sphere interactions, that describe heat transfer and/or evaporation– condensation between two parallel surfaces or for the case of a semi-infinite half space. Relevant to the case of two surfaces, the basic problem of heat transfer driven by a temperature difference at two confining walls described by a general Maxwell gas–surface interaction law (a mixture of specular and diffuse reflection) is solved for the case where different accommodation coefficients can be used for each of the two bounding surfaces. In addition, the classical problem of “reverse temperature gradient” in the theory of evaporation and condensation is also solved for the case of two parallel liquid–vapor interfaces kept at different temperatures. In regard to half-space applications, an evaporation/condensation problem based on a presumed known interface condition and a heat-conduction problem (with no net flow) driven by energy flow from a bounding surface with know properties are each solved with what is considered a high degree of accuracy.  2003 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.