Discrete Velocity Model and Implicit Scheme for the BGK Equation of Rarefied Gas Dynamics

We present a numerical method for computing transitional flows as described by the BGK equation of gas kinetic theory. Using the minimum entropy principle to define a discrete equilibrium function, a discrete velocity model of this equation is proposed. This model, like the continuous one, ensures positivity of solutions, conservation of moments, and dissipation of entropy. The discrete velocity model is then discretized in space and time by an explicit finite volume scheme which is proved to satisfy the previous properties. A linearized implicit scheme is then derived to efficiently compute steady-states; this method is then verified with several test cases.