(i) A solute occupying a domain V0 has concentration C(x,t) and is created at a rate S(x,t) per unit volume; J(x,t) is the flux of solute per unit area; x,t are position and time. Derive the transport equation
Ct+∇⋅J=S
State Fick's Law of diffusion and hence write down the diffusion equation for C(x,t) for a case in which the solute flux occurs solely by diffusion, with diffusivity D(x).
In a finite domain 0⩽x⩽L,D,S and the steady-state distribution of C depend only on x;C is equal to C0 at x=0 and C1=C0 at x=L. Find C(x) in the following two cases: (a) D=D0,S=0, (b) D=D1x1/2,S=0,
where D0 and D1 are positive constants.
Show that there is no steady solution satisfying the boundary conditions if D=D1x,S=0.
(ii) For the problem of Part (i), consider the case D=D0,S=kC, where D0 and k are positive constants. Calculate the steady-state solution, C=Cs(x), assuming that k/D0=nπ/L for any integer n.
Now let
C(x,0)=C0sinαLsinα(L−x)
where α=k/D0. Find the equations, boundary and initial conditions satisfied by C′(x,t)=C(x,t)−Cs(x). Solve the problem using separation of variables and show that
C′(x,t)=n=1∑∞AnsinLnπxexp[(α2−L2n2π2)D0t]
for some constants An. Write down an integral expression for An, show that
A1=−α2L2−π22πC1,
and comment on the behaviour of the solution for large times in the two cases αL<π and αL>π.