Rarefied gas flow through a zigzag channel

A rarefied gas flow through a channel of zigzag shape is calculated over the wide range of the gas rarefaction and for several values of the aspect ratio applying the linearized kinetic equation. In the hydrodynamic flow regime, the kinetic solution is compared with that obtained from the Stokes equation. An approach to calculate a flow rate through a chain composed from an arbitrary number of zigzags is proposed. It was found that in some situations, the flow rate through a zigzag channel is higher than that trough a straight channel of the same length.

► A rarefied gas flow through a channel of zigzag shape is calculated.
► The linearized kinetic equation is applied.
► The wide range of the gas rarefaction and several values of the aspect ratio are considered.
► A flow rate through a chain of an arbitrary number of zigzags is calculated.
► The flow rate through a zigzag channel is higher than that trough a straight channel.