The minimum entropy principle for fluid flows in a nozzle with discontinuous cross-section

Abstract

We consider the Euler equations for compressible fluids in a nozzle whose cross-section is variable and may contain discontinuities. We view these equations as a hyperbolic system in nonconservative form and investigate weak solutions in the sense of Dal Maso, LeFloch, and Murat. Observing that the entropy equality has a fully conservative form, we derive a minimum entropy principle satisfied by entropy solutions. We then establish the stability of a class of numerical approximations for this system.