Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium

We derive from kinetic theory, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics the minimal continuum-level equations governing the flow of a binary, non-electrolytic mixture in an isotropic porous medium with osmotic effects. For dilute mixtures, these equations are linear and in this limit provide a theoretical...

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Main Authors: Silvana S. S. Cardoso, Julyan H. E. Cartwright
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Royal Society 2014-01-01
Series:Royal Society Open Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.140352
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author Silvana S. S. Cardoso
Julyan H. E. Cartwright
author_facet Silvana S. S. Cardoso
Julyan H. E. Cartwright
author_sort Silvana S. S. Cardoso
collection DOAJ
description We derive from kinetic theory, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics the minimal continuum-level equations governing the flow of a binary, non-electrolytic mixture in an isotropic porous medium with osmotic effects. For dilute mixtures, these equations are linear and in this limit provide a theoretical basis for the widely used semi-empirical relations of Kedem & Katchalsky (Kedem & Katchalsky 1958 Biochim. Biophys. Acta 27, 229–246 (doi:10.1016/0006-3002(58)90330-5), which have hitherto been validated experimentally but not theoretically. The above linearity between the fluxes and the driving forces breaks down for concentrated or non-ideal mixtures, for which our equations go beyond the Kedem–Katchalsky formulation. We show that the heretofore empirical solute permeability coefficient reflects the momentum transfer between the solute molecules that are rejected at a pore entrance and the solvent molecules entering the pore space; it can be related to the inefficiency of a Maxwellian demi-demon.
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spelling doaj.art-fede151480e847fc87a0a87d36dac8c42022-12-21T23:08:51ZengThe Royal SocietyRoyal Society Open Science2054-57032014-01-011310.1098/rsos.140352140352Dynamics of osmosis in a porous mediumSilvana S. S. CardosoJulyan H. E. CartwrightWe derive from kinetic theory, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics the minimal continuum-level equations governing the flow of a binary, non-electrolytic mixture in an isotropic porous medium with osmotic effects. For dilute mixtures, these equations are linear and in this limit provide a theoretical basis for the widely used semi-empirical relations of Kedem & Katchalsky (Kedem & Katchalsky 1958 Biochim. Biophys. Acta 27, 229–246 (doi:10.1016/0006-3002(58)90330-5), which have hitherto been validated experimentally but not theoretically. The above linearity between the fluxes and the driving forces breaks down for concentrated or non-ideal mixtures, for which our equations go beyond the Kedem–Katchalsky formulation. We show that the heretofore empirical solute permeability coefficient reflects the momentum transfer between the solute molecules that are rejected at a pore entrance and the solvent molecules entering the pore space; it can be related to the inefficiency of a Maxwellian demi-demon.https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.140352osmosisporous mediumsemipermeable membranemaxwell's demon
spellingShingle Silvana S. S. Cardoso
Julyan H. E. Cartwright
Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
Royal Society Open Science
osmosis
porous medium
semipermeable membrane
maxwell's demon
title Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
title_full Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
title_fullStr Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
title_full_unstemmed Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
title_short Dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
title_sort dynamics of osmosis in a porous medium
topic osmosis
porous medium
semipermeable membrane
maxwell's demon
url https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsos.140352
work_keys_str_mv AT silvanasscardoso dynamicsofosmosisinaporousmedium
AT julyanhecartwright dynamicsofosmosisinaporousmedium