Discrete maximum principle for the finite element solution of linear non-stationary diffusion–reaction problems

The maximum principle is one of the basic characteristic properties of solutions of second order partial differential equations of parabolic (and elliptic) types. The preservation of this property for solutions of corresponding discretized problems is a very natural requirement in reliable and meaningful numerical modelling of various real-life phenomena (heat conduction, air pollution, etc.). In the present paper we analyse a full discretization of a quite general class of linear parabolic equations and present sufficient conditions for the validity of a discrete analogue of the maximum principle in the case when bilinear finite elements are used for discretization in space.