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Iterative methods for solving x-y geometry S[sub N] problems on parallel architecture computers

Journal Article · · Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States)
OSTI ID:6897457
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Michigan, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

In this paper, geometric domain decomposition methods are described for solving x-y geometry discrete ordinates (S[sub N]) problems on parallel architecture computers. First, a parallel source iteration scheme is developed; here, one subdivides the spatial domain of the problem, performs transport sweeps independently in each subdomain, and iterates on the scattering source and the interface fluxes between each subdomain. Second, a parallel diffusion synthetic acceleration (DSA) scheme is developed to speed up the convergence of the parallel source iteration. These schemes have been implemented on the IBM RP3, a shared/distributed memory parallel computer. The numerical results show that the parallel source iteration and DSA methods both exhibit significant speedups over their scalar counterparts, but that a degradation in parallel efficiency occurs due to the geometric domain decomposition (iteration on interface fluxes) and the overhead time required for the communication of data between processors.

OSTI ID:
6897457
Journal Information:
Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States), Journal Name: Nuclear Science and Engineering; (United States) Vol. 112:1; ISSN NSENAO; ISSN 0029-5639
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English