Simulation of transport processes using bond graph methods : I. Gas diffusion through planar membranes and systems obeying fick's laws

Abstract

Using bond graph techniques, a network thermodynamic treatment of transport was converted into a practical scheme for simulating diffusion in Fickian systems, using lumped models. General equations are presented and extended to deal with gas diffusion problems also. Quantitative tests illustrate the effects of increased reticulation of the lumped model upon the precision of simulated data. Examples compare bond graph simulations with mathematical solutions of the diffusion equation for infinite bath conditions and reproduce experimental data for diffusion of gas into collecting vessels of limited volume.