A NOVEL COARSE-MESH METHOD APPLIED TO NEUTRON SHIELDING PROBLEMS USING THE MULTIGROUP TRANSPORT THEORY IN DISCRETE ORDINATES FORMULATIONS

In this paper, we propose a new deterministic numerical methodology to solve the one-dimensional linearized Boltzmann equation applied to neutron shielding problems (fixed-source), using the transport equation in the discrete ordinates formulation (SN) considering the multigroup theory. This is a hybrid methodology, entitled Modified Spectral Deterministic Method (SDM-M), that derives from the Spectral Deterministic Method (SDM) and Diamond Difference (DD) methods. This modification in the SDM method aims to calculate neutron scalar fluxes with lower computational cost. Two model-problems are solved using the SDM-M, and the results are compared to the coarse-mesh methods SDM, Spectral Green's Function (SGF) and Response Matrix (RM), and the fine-mesh method DD. The numerical results were obtained in the programming language JAVA version 1.8.0_91.

Boltzmann equation and hydrodynamics beyond Navier–Stokes

We consider in this paper the problem of derivation and regularization of higher (in Knudsen number) equations of hydrodynamics. The author’s approach based on successive changes of hydrodynamic variables is presented in more detail for the Burnett level. The complete theory is briefly discussed for the linearized Boltzmann equation. It is shown that the best results in this case can be obtained by using the ‘diagonal’ equations of hydrodynamics. Rigorous estimates of accuracy of the Navier–Stokes and Burnett approximations are also presented. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Hilbert’s sixth problem’.

Inlet and outlet boundary conditions for the discrete velocity direction model

The discrete velocity direction model is an approximate method to the Boltzmann equation, which is an optional kinetic method to microgas flow and heat transfer. In this paper, the treatment of the inlet and outlet boundary conditions for the model is proposed. In the computation strategy, the microscopic molecular speed distribution functions at inlet and outlet are indirectly determined by the macroscopic gas pressure, mass flux and temperature, which are all measurable parameters in microgas flow and heat transfer. The discrete velocity direction model with the pressure correction boundary conditions was applied into the plane Poiseuille flow in microscales and the calculations cover all flow regimes. The numerical results agree well with the data of the NS equation near the continuum regime and the date of linearized Boltzmann equation and the DSMC method in the transition regime and free molecular flow. The Knudsen paradox and the nonlinear pressure distributions have been accurately captured by the discrete velocity direction model with the present boundary conditions.