Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
The flow of a rarefied gas between parallel plates has been studied via the linearized Boltzmann transport equation. Using a general boundary condition, which includes an arbitrary ratio of specular to diffuse reflection from the wall, we have derived an integral equation for the mass flow velocity. The integral equation is solved by using a replication property of the kernel and application of the method of Muskelishvili.
The total volumetric flow rate is obtained and a slip boundary condition is deduced for use with the hydrodynamic equations.
Certain aspects of the eigenvalue spectrum associated with the Boltzmann equation are discussed.