Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 April 2006
Longitudinal mass transport in branched oscillatory flows is greater than in non-branched oscillatory flows. Here a derivation is given of a longitudinal diffusion equation which governs the long-term mass transport when there is perfect synchronism of the flow in adjacent branches. An explicit formula is obtained for the shear dispersion coefficient (effective longitudinal diffusion) when a sinusoidal flow excursion crosses a junction in geometrically self-similar flows with negligible secondary flow. A single junction crossing can be sufficient to double the shear dispersion as compared to an unbranched flow at the same frequency.