Spreading of a density front in the Küntz–Lavallée model of porous media

Abstract

We analyse spreading of a density front in the Küntz–Lavallée model of porous media. In contrast to previous studies, where unusual properties of the front were attributed to anomalous diffusion, we find that the front evolution is controlled by normal diffusion and hydrodynamic flow, the latter being responsible for apparent enhancement of the front propagation speed. Our finding suggests that results of several recent experiments on porous media, where anomalous diffusion was reported based on the density front propagation analysis, should be reconsidered to verify the role of a fluid flow.