Thermal conductivity and viscosity of simple fluids

Abstract

The behavior of the thermal conductivity and viscosity coefficient of simple fluids as a function of pressure, density and temperature is surveyed. Particular attention is given to the behavior of the transport coefficients in the critical region. In a previous paper [1] it was shown that the thermal conductivity coefficient exhibits a pronounced maximum in the critical region. Additional information confirming the existence of such a maximum is presented. Theoretical predictions of the transport coefficients in dense systems are often based on the theory of Enskog. A survey is presented showing to what extent the theory of Enskog describes the density dependence of the transport coefficients in monatomic fluids. Finally, the transport mechanism leading to the anomalous rise of the thermal conductivity in the critical region is indicated.