Traveling waves for a model of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction

Abstract

Following J.D. Murray, we consider a system of two differential equations that models traveling fronts in the Noyes-Field theory of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) chemical reaction. We are also interested in the situation when the system incorporates a delay h >= 0. As we show, the BZ system has a dual character: it is monostable when its key parameter r is an element of (0,1] and it is bistable when r > 1. For h = 0, r not equal 1, and for each admissible wave speed, we prove the uniqueness of monotone wavefronts. Next, a concept of regular super-solutions is introduced as a main tool for generating new comparison solutions for the BZ system. This allows to improve all previously known upper estimations for the minimal speed of propagation in the BZ system, independently whether it is monostable, bistable, delayed or not. Special attention is given to the critical case r = 1 which to some extent resembles to the Zeldovich equation. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.