Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Steady dynamics of exothermic chemical wave fronts in van der Waals fluids
G Dumazer1, C Antoine, A Lemarchand
1Laboratoire de Physique Théorique de la Matière Condensée, CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, UMR 7600, 4 Place Jussieu, Case Courier 121, Paris Cedex 05, France.
Abstract:
We study the steady dynamics of an exothermic Fisher-Kolmogorov-Petrovsky-Piskunov chemical wave front traveling in a one-dimensional van der Waals fluid. The propagating wave is initiated by a nonuniformity in reactant concentration contrary to usual combustion ignition processes. The heat release and activation energy of the reaction play the role of control parameters. We recently proved that the propagation of an exothermic chemical wave front in a perfect gas displays a forbidden interval of stationary wave front speeds [G. Dumazer, M. Leda, B. Nowakowski, and A. Lemarchand, Phys. Rev. E 78, 016309 (2008)]. We examine how this result is modified for nonideal fluids and determine the effect of the van der Waals parameters and fluid density on the bifurcation between diffusion flames and Chapman-Jouguet detonation waves as heat release increases. Analytical predictions are confirmed by the numerical solution of the hydrodynamic equations including reaction kinetics.
Related Concept Videos
The Van der Waals Equation
Van der Waals Equation
First, the attractive forces between molecules, which are stronger at higher densities and reduce the pressure, are considered by adding to the pressure a term equal to the square of the molar density multiplied by a positive coefficient a. Second, the volume...
Van der Waals Interactions
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Standing Electromagnetic Waves
Suppose a sheet of a perfect conductor is placed in the yz-plane, and a linearly polarized electromagnetic wave traveling in the...
The de Broglie Wavelength
