Inverse kinetic theory for incompressible thermofluids

An interesting issue in fluid dynamics is represented by the possible existence of inverse kinetic theories (IKT) which are able to deliver, in a suitable sense, the complete set of fluid equations which are associated to a prescribed fluid. From the mathematical viewpoint this involves the formal description of a fluid by means of a classical dynamical system which advances in time the relevant fluid fields. The possibility of defining an IKT for the 3D incompressible Navier-Stokes equations (INSE), recently investigated (Ellero \textit{et al}, 2004-2007) raises the interesting question whether the theory can be applied also to thermofluids, in such a way to satisfy also the second principle of thermodynamics. The goal of this paper is to prove that such a generalization is actually possible, by means of a suitable \textit{extended phase-space formulation}. We consider, as a reference test, the case of non-isentropic incompressible thermofluids, whose dynamics is described by the Fourier and the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, the latter subject to the conditions of validity of the Boussinesq approximation.Comment: Contributed paper at RGD26 (Kyoto, Japan, July 2008

Relativistic kinetic theory of magnetoplasmas

Recently, an increasing interest in astrophysical as well as laboratory plasmas has been manifested in reference to the existence of relativistic flows, related in turn to the production of intense electric fields in magnetized systems. Such phenomena require their description in the framework of a consistent relativistic kinetic theory, rather than on relativistic MHD equations, subject to specific closure conditions. The purpose of this work is to apply the relativistic single-particle guiding-center theory developed by Beklemishev and Tessarotto, including the nonlinear treatment of small-wavelength EM perturbations which may naturally arise in such systems. As a result, a closed set of relativistic gyrokinetic equations, consisting of the collisionless relativistic kinetic equation, expressed in hybrid gyrokinetic variables, and the averaged Maxwell's equations, is derived for an arbitrary four-dimensional coordinate system.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Contributed to the Proceedings of the 24th International Symposium on Rarefied Gas Dynamics, July 10-16, 2004 Porto Giardino Monopoli (Bari), Ital