New models for the differential cross-section of a polyatomic gas in the frame of the scattering kernel theory (Q1976765)

This paper is concerned with the scattering kernel theory for polyatomic gases. First, the authors derive the Boltzmann equation for distribution function \(f(v,\mathcal{E},r,t),\) where \(\mathcal{E}\) is the rotational energy, and then review earlier models of elastic and maximally inelastic interactions, as well as discuss the one-parameter Borgnakke-Larsen (B-L) model, which is a linear interpolation of the two above-mentioned models. Then the authors introduce two new two-parameter scattering kernels, one of which reduces to the B-L model in a parameter limit. The kernels are used to calculate the transport coefficients like viscosity or thermal conductivity. A comparison with experiments shows that the new models are more accurate than the B-L model, and some theoretical reasoning for this is provided.