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Crank - The Mathematics of Diffusion - 2e
Crank - The Mathematics of Diffusion - 2e
X we have
Ge 2 ox Cme1 , m4?
acs - m 2 14
éx? eo 17 25h, (m+1)dx, (13.145)
and
ee ep, ae .
ze Bean estan paptmeapy x= X. (13.146)
We use these formulae for the space derivatives together with the usual
explicit or implicit replacements of time derivatives (see Chapter 8) in the
diffusion equation itself, and in the conditions on the moving boundary
x = X. For points other than méx, X and (m+ 1)6x, we use the usual finite-
difference formula developed in Chapter 8 for equal intervals, including any
condition on x = 0.
13.7.4. Moving grid system
Crank and Gupta (1972a) dealt with a moving-boundary problem arising
from the diffusion of oxygen in absorbing tissue by using Lagrangian-type
formulae and a Taylor series near the boundary. Subsequently (1972b) they
developed an alternative method based on a moving grid.
In the physical problem, oxygen is allowed to diffuse into a medium, and
some of the oxygen is absorbed, thereby being removed from the diffusion
process. The oxygen concentration at the surface of the medium is maintained
constant. This first phase of the problem continues until a steady state is
reached, in which the oxygen does not penetrate any further into the medium.
The surface is then sealed so that no further oxygen passes in or out. The
medium continues to absorb the available oxygen already in it, and conse-
quently the boundary marking the furthest depth of penetration recedes
towards the sealed surface.
The diffusion-with-absorption process is represented by the equation
6c
cc 7
T (13.147)
where C(X, T) denotes the concentration of the oxygen free to diffuse at a
distance X from the outer surface at time T; D is the diffusion constant ; and
m, the rate of consumption of oxygen per unit volume of the medium, is also
assumed constant. The problem has two parts:MOVING BOUNDARIES 319
(i) Steady-state. During the initial phase, when oxygen is entering through
the surface, the boundary condition there is
GacG, | x0 feo, (13.148)
where C, is constant. A steady-state is ultimately achieved, in which
6C/éT = 0 everywhere, when both the concentration and its space derivative
arezeroata point X = X,. No oxygen diffuses beyond this point, and we have
C=6C/OX =0, X>Xpo. (13.149)
The required solution in the steady state is easily found to be
=" Wv-Xx,)2
c= 3p \* Xo)", (13.150)
where Xo = J(2DCo/m).
(ii) Moving-boundary problem. After the surface has been sealed, the point
of zero concentration, originally at X = Xo, recedes towards X = 0. This
second phase of the problem can be expressed in terms of the variables
x=%, oe one (13.151)
by the equations
ge Fe OS x < xp), (13.152)
aclax =0, x=0, 120, (13.153)
c= dcféx=0, x=x, lt), t20, (13.154)
c=Kl-~, O