Hyperbolicity and one-dimensional waves in compressible two-phase flow models

Hyperbolic models for compressible two-phase flows including a conservative symmetric hyperbolic model are reviewed. The basis for a theory of shock waves is developed within the framework of the latter. The analysis of small amplitude discontinuities allows us to conclude that in general there are two types of shocks corresponding to two sound waves. The problem of transition between a pure phase and a mixture (the phase vacuum problem) is analysed. It is proved that for some models the smooth centred wave solution can not provide such a transition. Within the framework of our conservative model there is the possibility of constructing discontinuous solutions which can resolve the phase vacuum problem.