Generalized Rebalance: A Common Framework for Transport Acceleration Methods

Using slab geometry, generalized rebalance is presented as a class of iteration acceleration schemes applicable to the neutron transport equation. We demonstrate that the diffusion-synthetic, variable-Eddington-factor, and conventional-rebalance schemes can be shown to be special cases of generalized rebalance. Expressing these schemes within the generalized-rebalance framework leads one to consider a new scheme labeled third-moment rebalance. Numerical results are presented that indicate that Alcouffe's diffusion-synthetic schemes are presently the best available methods.