| We consider several iterative methods for solving the nonlinear system arising from an enthalpy formulation of a phase change problem. We present the formulation of the problem. Implicit discretization of the governing equations results in a mildly nonlinear system at each time step. We discuss solving this system using Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, and SOR iterations and a new modified preconditioned conjugate gradient (MPCG) algorithm. The new MPCG algorithm and its properties are discussed in detail. Numerical results are presented comparing the performance of the SOR algorithm and the MPCG algorithm with 1-step SSOR preconditioning. The MPCG algorithm exhibits a superlinear rate of covergence. The SOR algorithm exhibits a linear rate of convergence. Thus, the MPCG algorithm requires fewer iterations to converge than the SOR algorithm. However in most cases, the SOR algorithm requires less total computation time than the MPCG algorithm. Hence, the SOR algorithm appears to be more appropriate for the class of problems considered. |
