STATISTICAL GEOMETRY IN THE STUDY OF FLUIDS AND POROUS-MEDIA

Statistical geometric approaches to both porous (composite) media and fluids are discussed and compared. The strong similarity between these approaches is emphasized as well as the usefulness of the transfer of ideas between the two areas of interest. Thus far, ideas have moved largely from "fluids" to "porous media", although the opposite is possible. An example of this opposite transfer is suggested. In the main, workers in one area have not been aware of advances in the other area. Statistical geometric methods in the theory of fluids discussed in this paper include scaled particle theory, various "cavity" theories, rigorous free volume theories, and related approaches. Theories of porous media based on the use of multipoint correlation functions in the determination of effective transport and reaction rate constants as well as void fraction and specific surface area are reviewed.