A new approach on the stability and convergence of a time-space nonuniform finite difference approximation of a degenerate Kawarada problem

Abstract

Nonlinear Kawarada equations have been used to model solid fuel combustion processes in the oil industry. An effective way to approximate solutions of such equations is to take advantage of the finite difference configurations. Traditionally, the nonlinear term of the equation is linearized while the numerical stability of a difference scheme is investigated. This leaves certain ambiguity and uncertainty in the analysis. Based on nonuniform grids generated through a quenching-seeking moving mesh method in space and adaptation in time, this paper introduces a completely new stability analysis of the approximation without freezing the nonlinearity involved. Pointwise orders of convergence are investigated numerically. Simulation experiments are carried out to accompany the mathematical analysis to strengthen our conclusions.