Optimizing performance of finite-difference schemes (Q753458)

The aim of the article is to analyze using the example of transport equation properties of the finite-difference scheme of \textit{H. L. Stone} and \textit{P. L. T. Brian} [Numerical solution of convergence transport problems. AIChE Jl 9, 681-688 (1963)] by examining its impulsive response, a method that corresponds to the moment fitting method of \textit{B. Martin} [J. Comput. Phys. 17, 358-383 (1975; Zbl 0302.65089)]. It turns out that this methodology not only will provide information on dispersion but by requiring the impulse response to conserve mass, and to advect at the appropriate speed and in the proper direction it is possible to provide an optimal range of Courant numbers within which to operate the model. Physical conditions that need to be considered include: Normalization of the temporal and special weights; stability of the resulting solutions; invariance of the dispersion coefficient flow reversal; positive salinities for all Courant numbers; absence of counter-flow disturbances.