This paper proposes an alternative to partial differential equations (PDEs) for the solution of the optical flow problem. The problem is modeled using the heat transfer process. Instead of using PDEs, we propose to use the global equation of heat conservation. We use a computational algebraic topology-based image model which allows us to encode some underlying physical laws by linking a global value on a domain with values on its boundary. The numerical scheme is derived in a straightforward way from the problem modeled and provides a physical explanation of each solving step. Experimental results are presented.