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An analysis of the numerical solution of the transport equation
Author(s) -
Gray William G.,
Pinder George F.
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr012i003p00547
Subject(s) - dissipative system , finite element method , numerical analysis , wavelength , finite difference method , finite difference , convection , mechanics , dissipation , fourier series , physics , mathematics , mathematical analysis , optics , thermodynamics
Various finite difference and finite element methods for solving the one‐dimensional convective‐dispersive equation are investigated. A Fourier series analysis is performed to determine the dissipative and dispersive characteristics of these numerical methods. The analysis indicates that the commonly observed phenomenon of overshoot of a concentration pulse is due to the inability of the numerical schemes to propagate the small wavelengths which are important to the description of the front. Furthermore, the numerical smearing of a sharp front is due to dissipation of these small wavelengths. The finite element method was found to be superior to finite difference methods for solution of the convective‐dispersive equation.