Error estimates for finite volume element methodsfor convection–diffusion–reaction equations

Abstract

In this paper, we study finite volume element (FVE) method for convection–diffusion–reaction equations in a two-dimensional convex polygonal domain. These types of equations arise in the modeling of a waste scenario of a radioactive contaminant transport and reaction in flowing groundwater. Both spatially discrete scheme and discrete-in-time scheme are analyzed in this paper. For the spatially discrete scheme, optimal order error estimates in L2 and H1 norms are obtained for the homogeneous equation using energy method. Further, a quasi-optimal order error estimate in L∞ norm is shown to hold in an interior subdomain away from the corners. Based on backward Euler method, a time discretization scheme is discussed and related error estimates are derived.