Finite element methods for Boltzmann neutron transport equation on polygonal and polyhedral meshes

The design and safety studies of nuclear reactors require the solution of many multi-physics problems. This approximation is often prohibitively computationally expensive as it requires the coupling of complex neuronic and thermal hydraulic dynamics. New techniques that are both efficient and accurate need to be developed to meet the challenge.

The goal of this PhD work is to conceive and develop numerical schemes to solve the Boltzmann equation for neutron transport on polygonal and polyhedral meshes within the context of finite element methods for the spatial discretisation and related techniques for other variables. Furthermore, this PhD work will also encompass research on graph algorithms for partitioning a set of ordered mech cells. The result; a fast algorithm to facilitate parallel computation.

This project will be in partnership with the CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission).