Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of transport processes on membrane surfaces

Abstract

Nonequilibrium processes have been considered on interfaces between media, with one medium being a permeable membrane. The nonequilibrium processes have been described in terms of nonequilibrium thermodynamics combined with the Fokker−Planck kinetic equation. Phenomenological equations derived within the framework of the combined approach have been discussed. It has been shown that the formal use of linear equations of nonequilibrium thermodynamics may be, in some cases, reduced to nonlinear equations for heat and mass transfer through an interface. It has been noted that the asymmetry of transport characteristics of asymmetric membranes may be explained in terms of the derived relations.