Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method
Published on: February 2, 2024
Multicomponent gas transport coefficients: alternate formulations.
1Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z1.
This study revises gas transport calculations by proposing new gradients for the Boltzmann equation, impacting thermal diffusion coefficients and binary diffusion constants under varying densities. It highlights a disparity in standard thermodynamic variable usage.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics
- Statistical Mechanics
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- The phase rule dictates local fluid properties using c+1 variables for c components.
- Standard Boltzmann equation solutions for gas transport use only c gradients, excluding convective motion.
- A disparity exists between the phase rule and standard Boltzmann equation methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the disparity in independent variables used in the Boltzmann equation for gas transport.
- To propose an alternative set of gradients for solving the Boltzmann equation.
- To re-evaluate expressions for thermal diffusion and binary diffusion coefficients.
Main Methods:
- Solving the Boltzmann equation with an alternative set of gradients.
- Utilizing irreversible thermodynamics as a reference framework.
- Analyzing the impact on thermal diffusion and binary diffusion coefficients.
Main Results:
- Added terms are introduced in the expressions for thermal diffusion coefficients.
- The standard binary diffusion constant is found to be valid only at constant total density.
- An alternative formulation for gas transport properties is presented.
Conclusions:
- The proposed alternative gradients offer a more consistent approach with the phase rule.
- The findings necessitate a re-evaluation of standard gas transport coefficient calculations.
- This work provides a refined theoretical basis for understanding gas transport phenomena.
Related Concept Videos
Homogeneous Equilibria for Gaseous Reactions
For gas-phase reactions, the equilibrium constant may be expressed in terms of either the molar concentrations (Kc) or partial pressures (Kp) of the reactants and products. A relation between these two K values may be simply derived from the ideal gas equation and the definition of molarity. According to the ideal gas equation:
Physical Principles Governing Gas Exchange
Gas Laws Governing Respiration
The behavior of gases is guided by Dalton's Law of partial pressures and Henry's Law.
Dalton's Law asserts that the total pressure exerted by...
Gas Exchange and Transport
The Van der Waals Equation
Partial Derivatives and Gas Laws
Van der Waals Equation
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
