MAINTAINING SPARSITY IN PROCESS DESIGN CALCULATIONS

Sparse linear systems in bordered block‐triangular form can be efficiently solved by block‐triangular splitting, a new technique that provides a drastic reduction in the fill‐in (loss of sparsity) that occurs in the direct solution of such systems. This technique is applicable in the iterative solution of the large systems of nonlinear equations that arise in the equation oriented approach to process simulation and design calculations. Copyright © 1979 American Institute of Chemical Engineers