A constructive approach to steady nonlinear kinetic equations

Abstract

We study steady boundary value problems of nonlinear kinetic theory. Using a continuation argument based on the variation of the Knudsen number we derive a method for the construction of steady solutions of discrete velocity models in a slab. This method is readily transformed into a numerical code. In a preliminary numerical test case the numerical scheme turns out to yield solutions even for Knudsen numbers small enough to calculate with high precision the asymptotic flow field adjacent to a kinetic boundary layer. Thus, we are able to numerically simulate in a simplified situation the transition from a (mesoscopic) kinetic boundary layer to the (macroscopic) far field.