An implicit-explicit hybrid solver for a system of stiff kinetic equations (Q1339954)

This paper considers the solution of a stiff differential equation system, \(dC/dt= f(C,t)\), typically occurring in chemical kinetics, where the components fall naturally into two groups, a `fast' and a `slow' group. The system is separated into the groups \(dC_ F/dt= f_ F(C_ F,C_ S,t)\) and \(dC_ S/dt= f_ S(C_ F,C_ S,t)\), where subscripts `\(F\)' and `\(S\)' relate to fast and slow components respectively. \(C_ F\) is found from an implicit backward difference integrator requiring the Jacobian \(J_ F\), treating \(C_ S\) as independent parameters. \(C_ S\) is integrated using an Adams explicit scheme, treating \(C_ F\) as independent parameters. The method is compared with a standard Gear-type solver for the full system which requires Newton iterations. For an air-quality model discussed by the authors, the full Jacobian has high dimension and the authors' scheme can show reduction factors of between 2.5 and 8, depending on the particular implementation of the Gear scheme.