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This paper analyzes some issues in developing numerical methods for solving problems with a Boltzmann-type linear kinetic transport equation. Existing applications of this type of equation are listed. The focus is on the problem of radiative transfer in a flat layer, which are important for experimental research practice. Key definitions and traditional limitations applied to radiative transfer problems are presented. Some features of formulating radiative transfer problems for flat layers of irregular heterogeneous composite materials that are partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation are considered. The main approaches to the numerical and numerical-analytical solution of the linear kinetic transport equation are outlined.

Some variants of the simplest grid numerical methods for solving of nonstationary kinetic problems of transport a flat layer of a medium with strong attenuation are considered. Problems with one- and two-step variants of these iterative methods are analyzed, for some of them the causes of instability and convergence absence in some of them are investigated and established. It is shown that in the explicit conservative one-step method for a layer of a homogeneous absorbing, but neither radiating nor scattering, medium, unstable modes always exist in the spectrum of harmonic solutions. These modes arise in the region of radiation propagating almost parallel to the layer boundaries, and their instability increases with increasing attenuation effects and is caused by the presence of a small coefficient before the spatial derivative in the transport equation. To limit the undesirable influence of this component, various variants of splitting the equation into two and three fractional steps are considered.

It is shown that the most preferable options are those with explicitly organized fractional steps, for which a proof of their stability and convergence, that based on the Lax’s equivalence theorem is presented. It is demonstrated that the correct building of the fractional step sequence in explicit schemes for numerical solving of the nonstationary linear kinetic transport problems can provide additional stabilization, with the scattering integral plays an important role in stabilizing them. So, when solving kinetic transport problems in media with high scattering albedo, the explicit grid method of settling with splitting the iterations into three fractional steps, that were based on physical processes proved to be the simplest and most effective. The method is implemented as Matlab code, which performs quality control during the generation of the numerical solution process. The most significant modeling results are presented, confirming that the three-step method imposes relatively moderate requirements on resources and numerical integration accuracy, and ensures conditional convergence of iterations. Its mathematical correctness is confirmed by the behavior of the equation residuals and direct control of the convergence of numerical solutions. Its physical correctness is confirmed by ensuring, for ergodic systems, the property of convergence to an invariant steady state independent of the initial conditions. Some discovered and possible limitations of the method are listed.

The work will be useful to specialists in the field of mathematical modeling, numerical methods, kinetic theory, combined heat and mass transfer, dealing with issues of interpretation of experimental data, graduate students and senior students specializing in the indicated areas.