  We propose a new formulation of the fluctuating lattice Boltzmann equation
that is consistent with both equilibrium statististical mechanics and
fluctuating hydrodynamics. The formalism is based on a generalized lattice-gas
model, with each velocity direction occupied by many particles. We show that
the most probable state of this model corresponds to the usual equilibrium
distribution of the lattice Boltzmann equation. Thermal fluctuations about this
equilibrium are controlled by the mean number of particles at a lattice site.
Stochastic collision rules are described by a Monte Carlo process satisfying
detailed balance. This allows for a straightforward derivation of discrete
Langevin equations for the fluctuating modes. It is shown that all
non-conserved modes should be thermalized, as first pointed out by Adhikari et
al.; any other choice violates the condition of detailed balance. A
Chapman-Enskog analysis is used to derive the equations of fluctuating
hydrodynamics on large length and time scales; the level of fluctuations is
shown to be thermodynamically consistent with the equation of state of an
isothermal, ideal gas. We believe this formalism will be useful in developing
new algorithms for thermal and multiphase flows.
