A Nonlinear Three-Moment Model for Radiative Transfer in Spherical Symmetry

Abstract: We study the approximation of the radiative transfer equation with a relatively few moments in the spherically symmetric case. We propose a three-moment model based on choosing the beta distribution as the ansatz for the specific intensity. This ansatz enables our model to capture the anisotropy in the distribution function. The characteristic structure of the Riemann problem of the model is studied in detail. Numerical simulations demonstrate its validity in approximating the radiative transfer equation in the spherically symmetric case and its advantage in approximating highly anisotropic distribution functions in comparison to the $P_n$ method.