Semi-discrete numeric solution for the non-stationary heat equation using mimetic techniques

Abstract

It is proposed that the diffusion equation can be solved using second-order mimetic operators for the spatial partial derivatives, in order to obtain a semi-discrete time scheme that is easy to solve with exponential integrators. The scheme is more stable than the traditional method of finite differences (centered on space and forward on time) and easier to implement than implicit methods. Some numerical examples are shown to illustrate the advantages of the proposed method. In addition, routines written in MATLAB were developed for its implementation.