Convergent iterative methods for multicomponent diffusion

We investigate iterative methods for solving consistent linear systems arising from the kinetic theory of gases and for providing multicomponent diffusion coefficients for gaseous mixtures. Various iterative schemes are proved to be convergent by using the properties of matrices with convergent powers and the properties of nonnegative matrices. In particular, we investigate StefanMaxwell diffusion equations and we express the multicomponent diffusion matrix as a symmetric convergent series. We also rigorously justify the accuracy of Hirschfelder-Curtiss approximations with mass correctors often used to approximate diffusion velocities in gas mixtures. 6 1991 *cademlc Press, Inc.