Conduit equation ($A_T+(A^2[1-(A_T/A{)}_Z]{)}_Z=0$)

The conduit equation evolves the positive cross-sectional area $A$ of a viscous buoyant conduit. Its scaling uses axial length $a_0/\sqrt{8\lambda }$ and velocity $\Delta \rho g{a}_0^2/(8\lambda {\mu }_o)$, where $\lambda ={\mu }_i/{\mu }_o$. Linearization at $A=1$ gives $\omega =2k/(1+k^2)$: phase velocity is upward but group velocity changes sign at $|k|=1$. Nonlinear elevation waves obey the solitary-wave amplitude-speed relation for the conduit equation.

A positive travelling wave $f$ on a uniform background $f_0$ has first integral $c{f}^{\prime 2}/(2f^2)+V(f)=V(f_0)$, with $V(f)=\ln f+c/f+(f_0^2-c{f}_0)/(2f^2)$. Equating the crest and background potentials gives the displayed speed relation for crest ratio $\alpha >1$. The elevation-wave speed exceeds $2f_0$ and approaches that long-wave speed as $\alpha \to 1$. The formula requires the positive-area branch, rather than continuation through $f=0$.