Singular nature of nonlinear macroscale effects in high-rate flow through porous media

The quadratic law of laminar flow through porous media at high Reynolds numbers, which is well confirmed by the multiple experimental data, is shown to give rise to three fundamental paradoxes. All them can be resolved by assuming the singular structure of flow. The singularity is produced by the formation of jet brunches which invade the stagnant zones and sharply loss their kinetic energy. The numerical simulation confirms this effect. (C) 2003 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.