Kinetic Theory of Parallel Plate Heat Transfer in a Polyatomic Gas

A kinetic model equation for a polyatomic gas is used to investigate heat transfer between two parallel plates. In particular, a general kinetic boundary-value problem is studied for the case of arbitrary accommodation coefficients on the plates. This problem is solved for all ranges of Knudsen number using a variational principle with a simple trial function. The dependence of heat transfer on Knudsen number, the internal energy, the Eucken factor and the ratio of translational collision time to internal collision time for a polyatomic gas has been obtained. Moreover, density and temperature profiles have been calculated. Comparison is made with measurements on nitrogen, and it is found that the solution is in very good agreement with experiment for heat transfer, and in qualitative agreement with experimental density profiles.