Hydrodynamic limit of the zero range process on a randomly oriented graph

Abstract: We prove the hydrodynamic limit of a totally asymmetric zero range process on a torus with two lanes and randomly oriented edges. The asymmetry implies that the model is non-reversible. The random orientation of the edges is constructed in a bistochastic fashion which keeps the usual product distribution stationary for the quenched zero range model. It is also arranged to have no overall drift along the Z direction, which suggests diffusive scaling despite the asymmetry present in the dynamics. Indeed, using the relative entropy method, we prove the quenched hydrodynamic limit to be the heat equation with a diffusion coefficient depending on ergodic properties of the orientation of the edges. The zero range process on this graph turns out to be non-gradient. Our main novelty is the introduction of a local equilibrium measure which decomposes the vertices of the graph into components of constant density. A clever choice of these components eliminates the non-gradient problems that normally arise during the hydrodynamic limit procedure.