Optimal control of a Stefan problem with state-space constraints. Numerical approximation (Q1074313)

An optimal control problem with state-space constraints for a multidimensional Stefan problem in an enthalpy formulation with nonlinear boundary conditions is investigated. The existence and stability of a solution of the optimal control problem is shown providing a set of admissible controls is compact. Also, a boundary observation is admitted. The original problem is then approximated by using a penalty function method, finite element method in space and backward Euler formula in time. The convergence of the approximate optimal controls is proved. Moreover, an example for the instability of the penalty function method in \(L^ p\) spaces is constructed. Finally, numerical results of an illustrative example are presented.