On a hierarchy of approximate models for flows of incompressible fluids through porous solids

The celebrated equations due to Fick and Darcy are approximations that can be obtained systematically on the basis of numerous assumptions within the context of mixture theory; the equations however not having been developed in such a manner by Fick or Darcy. Relaxing the assumptions made in deriving these equations via mixture theory selectively leads to a hierarchy of mathematical models and it can be shown that popular models due to Brinkman, Biot and many others can be obtained via various approximations. It is shown that a variety of other generalizations are possible in addition to those that are currently in favor, and these might be appropriate for describing interesting technological applications.