Diffusion. Convection.

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Most of you know I’ve moved recently.  For the first time in a quarter century.  And, this time, the primary purpose was to downsize.  After all, my kids are all grown up and doing fine…there’s no reason to have a large house with lots of empty bedrooms.

Once you’ve made the decision to downsize, you also consider what other changes would be useful.  In my case, a lesson taught by two of my esteemed college professors, J. J. Conti and Irving Miller, came to mind.  Both of whom helped me become a great chemical engineer.  For that (and their friendship), I thank them immensely.

But, that’s not the main point of this blog,  either.  (To be honest, neither is transport phenomena, which I will discuss shortly- but it sets up the concept well.)  You see, there are two concepts critical to transport phenomena- diffusion and convection.  You probably think you know them well (or not). Diffusion is when things migrate to equalize concentration (or as close as they can come to that ideal).  Convection is the bulk propulsion of materials in a specific direction.

A diagram of a pot showing convection motion w...
A diagram of a pot showing convection motion with arrows. Very primitive. Needs work. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

But, a great way to consider these facts (thanks, JJ and Irving, I still remember every word) is to consider folks traveling on a train.  That train is moving from New York to Washington.  That’s the convective motion.  But, those first cars on the train are crowded and folks are moving back to find available seats.  They are diffusing to the lower concentrations of folks in each train car.  Oh, sure, they are moving quickly to Washington, but they are controlling their own fate within that motion to find comfort and better conditions.

Well, that’s the way it is with life.  We are not in total control.  But, as the path of our destiny convects us from birth to life, we  can make adjustments.  We can make life better- not just for ourselves, but for others.

English: example of diffusion Nederlands: voor...
English: example of diffusion Nederlands: voorbeeld van diffusie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

And, that’s the choice we each have.  To be willing to be dragged inexorably to our demise, pushed willy nilly with the current.  Or, we can put out our hands, adjust the path, and make it the journey the best one we can make.

Here’s to diffusion- and, if enough of us do just that- we can alter the convective direction, too…

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15 thoughts on “Diffusion. Convection.”

  1. As we grow older, it seems like the years pass faster and faster until one day there will be no more time in this life. I like the analogy of traveling on the train…even though we continue to move along toward our eventual death, we still have control over the quality of the journey. Well said, Roy.

    1. I have made them before I got here. I got rid of sofas, chairs, beds, dressers, and lots of other stuff.
      The next move won’t have a back yard (I’m pretty sure) and will have one less bedroom. But, that gives me a year to shrink some more, Muriel.

  2. Pingback: Part-time hell? |

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