Iterative Method of Thomas Algorithm on The Case Study of Energy Equation

Abstract

Implicit method is one of the finite difference method and is widely used for discretization some of ordinary or partial differential equations, such like: advection equation, heat transfer equation, burger equation, and many others. Implicit method is unconditionally stable and has been proved with the approximation of Von-Neumann stability criterion. Actually, implicit method is always identical to block matrices (tri-diagonal matrices or penta-diagonal matrices). These matrices can be solved numerically by Thomas algorithm including Gauss elimination using pivot or not, backward or forward substitution. Furthermore, it can be also solved using LU decomposition method with the elimination of lower triangle matrices first and then the elimination of upper triangle matrices. In this research, Thomas algorithm is used to solve numerically for the problem of convective flow on boundary layer, especially for energy equation with the variation of Prandtl number ( ).