Similarity Solutions of a Non-linear Diffusion Equation

In several physical contexts the equations for the dispersionof a buoyant contaminant can be approximated by the Erdogan-Chatwin(1967) equation {dot}c = {dot}_y{D_o + ({dot}_yc)²D₂]{dot}_yc}. Here it is shown that in the limit of strong non-linearity (i.e.D_o = 0) there are similarity solutions for a concentration jumpand for a finite discharge. A stability analysis for the latterproblem involves a new family of orthogonal polynomials Y_n(z)where (1 – z⁴)Y – 6z³Y + n(n + 5)z² Y_n = 0 and the degree n is restricted to the values 0, 1, 4, 5, 8,9,.... A numerical solution of the Erdogan-Chatwin equationis given which describes the transition between the non-linearand linear (Gaussian) similarity solutions.