Travelling waves in an open quadratic autocatalytic chemical system

The travelling waves that are initiated in an autocatalytic reaction–diffusion system with quadratic rate law are considered. The system is modelled on the basis of a continuous flow, unstirred reactor. The model is used to determine whether any of the complex structures reported for cubic autocatalytic reaction–diffusion systems can also be observed in the quadratic model. This is found not to be the case. The range of behaviour of the quadratic model is much less complex, with only front waves being initiated under the necessary conditions, which are established. There are, however, some unusual transient features to be found after the initial passage of the wave front.