Convergence of Singular Limits for Multi-D Semilinear Hyperbolic Systems to Parabolic Systems

In this paper we investigate the zero-relaxation limit of the following multi-D semilinear hyperbolic system in pseudodifferential form: W_{t}(x,t) + (1/epsilon) A(x,D) W(x,t) = (1/epsilon^2) B(x,W(x,t)) + (1/epsilon) D(W(x,t)) + E(W(x,t)). We analyse the singular convergence, as epsilon tends to 0, in the case which leads to a limit system of parabolic type. The analysis is carried out by using the following steps: (i) We single out algebraic ``structure conditions'' on the full system, motivated by formal asymptotics, by some examples of discrete velocity models in kinetic theories. (ii) We deduce ``energy estimates'', uniformly in epsilon, by assuming the existence of a symmetrizer having the so called block structure and by assuming ``dissipativity conditions'' on B. (iii) We perform the convergence analysis by using generalizations of Compensated Compactness due to Tartar and Gerard. Finally we include examples which show how to use our theory to approximate prescribed general quasilinear parabolic systems, satisfying Petrowski parabolicity condition, or general reaction diffusion systems.