The onset of slip motion at fluid-solid boundaries is investigated as a function of the reflectivity of the solid wall by means of a mesoscopic lattice Boltzmann model. Substantial slip flow is observed for reflectivity values below a critical threshold. It is shown that this slip flow may significantly affect the conversion efficiency of catalytic microchannels.

• Received 27 November 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.064502