Radial Transport (radial + transport)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Sheath Physics and Boundary Conditions for Edge Plasmas

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1-3 2004
R. H. Cohen
Abstract The boundary conditions of mass, momentum, energy, and charge appropriate for fluid formulations of edge plasmas are surveyed. We re-visit the classic problem of 1-dimensional flow, and note that the "Bohm sheath criterion" is requirement of connectivity of the interior plasma with the external world, not the result of termination of the plasma by a wall. We show that the nature of the interior plasma solution is intrinsically different for ion sources that inject above and below the electron sound speed. We survey the appropriate conditions to apply, and resultant fluxes, for a magnetic field obliquely incident on a wall, including the presence of drifts and radial transport. We discuss the consequences of toroidal asymmetries in wall properties, as well as experimental tests of such effects. Finally, we discuss boundary-condition modifications in the case of rapidly varying plasma conditions. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Blob Transport in the Tokamak Scrape-off-Layer

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PLASMA PHYSICS, Issue 1-3 2004
D. A. D'Ippolito
Abstract Recent experimental evidence suggests the importance of fast radial plasma transport in the scrape-off-layer (SOL) of tokamaks. The outward transport appears to be convective rather than diffusive, extends into the far SOL, and can produce significant recycling from the main-chamber walls, partially bypassing the divertor. A plausible theoretical mechanism to explain this phenomenon is the radial transport of "blobs" of locally dense plasma created by turbulent processes. A related process is the inward transport of "holes" of reduced density plasma, which provides a mechanism for rapid inward transport of impurities. The blob model is also consistent with the spatial and temporal intermittency and the non-Gaussian statistics observed in the SOL plasma. This paper reviews the present status of blob theory, including analytic models and simulations, and discusses the preliminary comparisons of the blob model with experimental data. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


Interpretation of the enhancement of field-scale effective matrix diffusion coefficient in a single fracture using a semi-analytical power series solution

HYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 6 2009
Tai-Sheng Liou
Abstract A power series solution for convergent radial transport in a single fracture (PCRTSF) is developed. Transport processes considered in PCRTSF include advection and hydrodynamic dispersion in the fracture, molecular diffusion in the matrix, diffusive mass exchange across the fracture-matrix interface, and mixing effects in the injection and the extraction boreholes. An analytical solution in terms of a power series in Laplace domain is developed first, which is then numerically inverted by de-Hoog et al.'s algorithm. Four dimensionless parameters determine the behaviour of a breakthrough curve (BTC) calculated by PCRTSF, which are, in the order of decreasing sensitivity, the matrix diffusion factor, two mixing factors, and the Peclet number. The first parameter is lumped from matrix porosity, effective matrix diffusion coefficient, fracture aperture, and retardation factors. Its value increases as the matrix diffusion effect becomes significant. A non-zero matrix diffusion factor results in a , 3/2 slope of the tail of a log,log BTC, a common property for tracer diffusion into an infinite matrix. Both mixing factors have equal effects on BTC characteristics. However, the Peclet number has virtually no effect on BTC tail. PCRTSF is applied to re-analyse two published test results that were obtained from convergent radial tracer tests in a discrete, horizontal fracture in Silurian dolomite. PCRTSF is able to fit the field BTCs better than the original channel model does if a large matrix diffusion coefficient is used. Noticeably, the ratio of field-scale to lab-scale matrix diffusion coefficients can be as large as 378. This enhancement of the field-scale matrix diffusion coefficient may be ascribed to the presence of a degraded zone at the fracture-matrix interface because of karstic effects, or to flow channeling as a result of aperture heterogeneity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Modeling Lipid Uptake in Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Vascular Prostheses and Its Effects on Mechanical Properties

ARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 5 2000
Diego Mantovani
Abstract: The radial transport across the wall of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) arterial prostheses has a significant effect on lipid uptake observed in prostheses implanted in humans, which has been postulated to be one of the causes associated with implant failure. The goal of this study was to stimulate radial transport on a lipidic dispersion across the wall of an ePTFE prosthesis and investigate its effects on the circumferential mechanical properties of the prosthesis. An in vitro model was developed to simulate the lipidic radial transport across the wall. Lipids contained in a phosphatidylcholine dispersion were used as the transported molecules. Lipid concentration profiles were obtained after exposing commercial ePTFE prostheses to various transmural pressure and/or lipidic concentration gradients. Phospholipids gradually accumulated up to the external reinforcing wrap of the prosthesis, which clearly acted as a rigid barrier against lipid infiltration. Tensile tests performed on the virgin samples showed that the wrap was much more rigid than the microporous part of the prosthesis. After the lipid simulation, the rigidity of the wrap decreased with respect to what was observed for the virgin prosthesis. Finally, some clinical implications of this phenomena are discussed. [source]


Effects of local thermodynamics and of stellar mass ratio on accretion disc stability in close binaries

ASTRONOMISCHE NACHRICHTEN, Issue 8 2009
G. Lanzafame
Abstract Inflow kinematics at the inner Lagrangian point L1, gas compressibility, and physical turbulent viscosity play a fundamental role on accretion disc dynamics and structure in a close binary (CB). Physical viscosity supports the accretion disc development inside the primary gravitational potential well, developing the gas radial transport, converting mechanical energy into heat. The Stellar-Mass-Ratio (SMR) between the compact primary and the secondary star (M1/M2) is also effective, not only in the location of the inner Lagrangian point, but also in the angular kinematics of the mass transfer and in the geometry ofthe gravitational potential wells. In this work we pay attention in particular to the role ofthe SMR, evaluating boundaries, separating theoretical domains in compressibility-viscosity graphs where physical conditions allow a well-bound disc development, as a function ofmass transfer kinematic conditions. In such domains, the lower is the gas compressibility (the higher the polytropic index ,), the higher is the physical viscosity (,) requested. In this work, we show how the boundaries of such domains vary as a function of M1/M2. Conclusions as far as dwarf novae outbursts are concerned, induced by mass transfer rate variations, are also reported. The smaller M1/M2, the shorter the duration of the active-to-quiet and vice-versa transitional phases. Time-scales are of the order of outburst duration of SU Uma, OY Car, Z Cha and SS Cyg-like objects. Moreover, conclusions as far as active-quiet-active phenomena in a CB, according to viscous-thermal instabilities, in accordance to such domains, are also reported (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]