On the Theory of Interface Flux Nodal Method

Abstract

The interface flux nodal method makes use of node-interface fiuxes as the only unknown physical quantities present in the nodal equations, unlike conventional nodal methods where nodal equations are derived for node-interface currents and node averaged fluxes. The physical approximation of this nodal method lies in the profiles of node-interface fluxes, which are easier to handle and approximate than the profiles of node-interface currents. Through Green's theorem relating node-surface fluxes to node-interior fiux distribution, the solution resulting from the method can provide directly the point-wise flux distribution inside each node. Two static two-dimensional computer codes based on the method have been developed, one for two-group and one for one group. Both are tested to give very accurate predictions.