An Efficient Sparse Finite Element Solver for the Radiative Transfer Equation

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Widmer
Keyword(s):  
Linear System ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Transfer Equation ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Radiative Transfer Equation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Discrete Ordinates ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Computational Costs ◽  
Dimensional Domain

The stationary monochromatic radiative transfer equation (RTE) is posed in five dimensions, with the intensity depending on both a position in a three-dimensional domain as well as a direction. For non-scattering radiative transfer, sparse finite elements [1, 2] have been shown to be an efficient discretization strategy if the intensity function is sufficiently smooth. Compared to the discrete ordinates method, they make it possible to significantly reduce the number of degrees of freedom N in the discretization with almost no loss of accuracy. However, using a direct solver to solve the resulting linear system requires O(N3) operations. In this paper, an efficient solver based on the conjugate gradient method (CG) with a subspace correction preconditioner is presented. Numerical experiments show that the linear system can be solved at computational costs that are nearly proportional to the number of degrees of freedom N in the discretization.

An Efficient Sparse Finite Element Solver for the Radiative Transfer Equation

2009 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisela Widmer
Keyword(s):  
Finite Elements ◽  
Linear System ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Transfer Equation ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Radiative Transfer Equation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Discrete Ordinates ◽  
Five Dimensions ◽  
Dimensional Domain

The stationary monochromatic radiative transfer equation is posed in five dimensions, with the intensity depending on both a position in a three-dimensional domain as well as a direction. For nonscattering radiative transfer, sparse finite elements [2007, “Sparse Finite Elements for Non-Scattering Radiative Transfer in Diffuse Regimes,” ICHMT Fifth International Symposium of Radiative Transfer, Bodrum, Turkey; 2008, “Sparse Adaptive Finite Elements for Radiative Transfer,” J. Comput. Phys., 227(12), pp. 6071–6105] have been shown to be an efficient discretization strategy if the intensity function is sufficiently smooth. Compared with the discrete ordinates method, they make it possible to significantly reduce the number of degrees of freedom N in the discretization with almost no loss of accuracy. However, using a direct solver to solve the resulting linear system requires O(N3) operations. In this paper, an efficient solver based on the conjugate gradient method with a subspace correction preconditioner is presented. Numerical experiments show that the linear system can be solved at computational costs that are nearly proportional to the number of degrees of freedom N in the discretization.

Solution of the Radiative Transfer Equation in Three-Dimensional Participating Media Using a Hybrid Discrete Ordinates: Spherical Harmonics Method

2012 ◽  
Vol 134 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maathangi Sankar ◽  
Sandip Mazumder
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Radiative Transfer ◽  
Spherical Harmonics ◽  
Hybrid Method ◽  
Transfer Equation ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Radiative Transfer Equation ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Discrete Ordinates ◽  
Medium Component

In this article, a new hybrid solution to the radiative transfer equation (RTE) is proposed. Following the modified differential approximation (MDA), the radiation intensity is first split into two components: a “wall” component, and a “medium” component. Traditionally, the wall component is determined using a viewfactor-based surface-to-surface exchange formulation, while the medium component is determined by invoking the first-order spherical harmonics (P1) approximation. Recent studies have shown that although the MDA approach is accurate over a large range of optical thicknesses, it is prohibitive for complex three-dimensional geometry with obstructions, both from a computational efficiency as well as memory standpoint. The inefficiency stems from the use of the viewfactor-based approach for determination of the wall-emitted component. In this work, instead, the wall component is determined directly using the control angle discrete ordinates method (CADOM). The new hybrid method was validated for both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) geometries against benchmark Monte Carlo results for gray media in which the optical thickness was varied over a large range. In all cases, the accuracy of the hybrid method was found to be within a few percent of Monte Carlo results, and comparable to the solutions of the RTE obtained directly using CADOM. Finally, the new hybrid method was explored for 3D nongray media in the presence of reflecting walls and various scattering albedos. As a noteworthy advantage, irrespective of the conditions used, it was always found to be computationally more efficient than standalone CADOM and up to 15 times more efficient than standalone CADOM for optically thick media with strong scattering.

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