A kinetic theory of dense fluids

Abstract

A new kinetic equation is developed which incorporates the desirable features of the Enskog, the Rice-Allnatt, and the Prigogine-Nicolis-Misguich kinetic theories of dense fluids. Advantages of the present theory over the latter three theories are (1) it yields the correct local equilibrium hydrodynamic equations, (2) unlike the Rice-Allnatt theory, it determines the singlet and doublet distribution functions from the same equation, and (3) unlike the Prigogine-Nicolis-Misguich theory, it predicts the kinetic and kinetic-potential transport coefficients. The kinetic equation is solved by the Chapman-Enskog method and the coefficients of shear viscosity, bulk viscosity, thermal conductivity, and self-diffusion are obtained. The predicted bulk viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficients are singular at the critical point, while the shear viscosity and self-diffusion coefficients are not.