On relaxation systems and their relation to discrete velocity Boltzmann models for scalar advection–diffusion equations

The connection of relaxation systems and discrete velocity models is essential to the progress of stability as well as convergence results for lattice Boltzmann methods. In the present study we propose a formal perturbation ansatz starting from a scalar one-dimensional target equation, which yields a relaxation system specifically constructed for its equivalence to a discrete velocity Boltzmann model as commonly found in lattice Boltzmann methods. Further, the investigation of stability structures for the discrete velocity Boltzmann equation allows for algebraic characterizations of the equilibrium and collision operator. The methods introduced and summarized here are tailored for scalar, linear advection–diffusion equations, which can be used as a foundation for the constructive design of discrete velocity Boltzmann models and lattice Boltzmann methods to approximate different types of partial differential equations. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Fluid dynamics, soft matter and complex systems: recent results and new methods’.

Construction of boundary conditions for hyperbolic relaxation approximations I: The linearized Suliciu model

Starting with this paper, we intend to develop a program aiming at construction of boundary conditions (BCs) for hyperbolic relaxation systems. Physically, such BCs are not always available. The construction is based on the assumption that the relaxation systems and well-posed BCs for the corresponding equilibrium systems are given. This paper focuses on the linearized Suliciu model. We obtain strictly dissipative and compatible BCs for the linearized model with different non-characteristic boundaries. Moreover, the effectiveness of the constructed BCs is shown by resorting to formal asymptotic solutions and energy estimates.