Preliminary tests of a hybrid numerical-asymptotic method for solving nonlinear advection-diffusion equations in a domain limited by a self- adjusting boundary (Q1310173)

The advection-diffusion equation \(\partial h/\partial t = Q - \nabla(vh- \kappa\nabla h)\), \(\kappa = h^ \alpha\), \(\alpha >0\) in which the diffusion coefficient \(\kappa\) is proportional to a positive power of the dependent variable \(h\) is investigated. Because the diffusion coefficient is zero when \(h\) is zero, it is assumed that the domain where \(h\neq 0\) expands at a finite velocity \({\mathcal U}_ \eta\), which has to be calculated in an appropriate way if an accurate numerical solution technique is to be implemented. An asymptotic study leads to a local approximation of \({\mathcal U}_ \eta\), which is used in the finite volume solution of an axisymmetric problem, where the exact solution can be obtained. The accuracy of the numerical solution is discussed with whole satisfaction. The authors recommend the additional testing in fully two-dimensional cases.