Comparison of DSMC Reaction Models with QCT Reaction Rates for Nitrogen.

Four empirical models of chemical reactions extensively used in the direct simulation Monte Carlo method in the past are analyzed via comparison of temperature and vibrational level dependent equilibrium and non-equilibrium reaction rates with available classical trajectory and direct molecular simulations for nitrogen dissociation. The considered models are total collision energy, quantum kinetic, vibration-dissociation favoring, and weak vibrational bias. The weak vibrational bias model was found to provide good agreement with benchmark vibrationally-specific dissociation rates, while significant differences were observed for the others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]