We introduce a new concept of solution for the Dirichlet problem for the total variational flow named entropy solution. Using Kruzhkov's method of doubling variables both in space and in time we prove uniqueness and a comparison principle in L¹ for entropy solutions. To prove the existence we use the nonlinear semigroup theory and we show that when the initial and boundary data are nonnegative the semigroup solutions are strong solutions.

We prove existence and uniqueness of solutions for the Dirichlet problem for quasilinear parabolic equations in divergent form for which the energy functional has linear growth. A tipical example of energy functional we consider is the one given by the nonparametric area integrand f(x; ) = p 1 + kk 2 , which corresponds with the time-dependent minimal surface equation. We also study the asimptotic behavoiur of the solutions.