Mathematical modelling of solidification and melting

The major methods of mathematical modelling of solidification and melting problems

Sharath Chandra. J (2012H148035H) Sharabh Kochar (2012H148037H)

Matter is subject to a phase change. Consequently, a boundary separating two different phases develops and moves in the matter during the process. Transport properties vary considerably between phases, which result in totally different rates of energy, mass and momentum transport from one phase to another. In these problems, the position of the moving boundary cannot be identified in advance, but has to be determined as an important constituent of the solution. The term moving boundary problems is associated with time-dependent boundary problems, where the position of the moving boundary must be determined as a function of time and space. Moving boundary problems, also referred to as Stefan problems.

Methods of Modelling Phase Change

Analytical methods Neumanns method Heat balance integral method Numerical methods for solving the pure heat conduction equation with a phase change involved Fixed grid methods Variable grid methods Methods of latent-heat evolution Apparent heat capacity methods Effective capacity method Heat integration method Source based method Enthalpy method Numerical methods for solving convection/diffusion phase change problems Stream-functionvorticity formulation Primitive variable formulation

ENTHALPY POROSITY TECHINIQUE FOR MODELLING CONVECTIONDIFFUSION PHASE CHANGE : APPLICATION TO THE MELTING OF A PURE METAL
Melting of a pure gallium in a rectangular cavity has been numerically investigated using enthalpy porosity approach for modeling combined convection diffusion phase change. (velocities on solid region are zero) and it is isothermal phase change. Fixed grid of coupled momentum and energy equations , 2D dynamic model and influence of laminar natural convection flow on the melting process is considered.

Algorithm used to solve the problem mathematically

Three regions: solid region , totally liquid region and mushy region.

 Four non linear coupled partial differential equations control volume based finite difference by Patankar ( a fully implicit formulation is used for time dependent schemes). The SIMPLE algorithm was used for momentum and continuity equations. Power Law for solving Momentum and Energy equations. Time step of 5s for first four time steps and 10 s time steps are used subsequently. Under relaxation factors of 0.5,0.6,0.9 were used for solutions for two momentum , pressure and energy equations. The density variation causing the natural convection was handled by the Boussinesq approximation . Pressure based , implicit and unsteady solidification and melting module is used with -9.81 m/s2 for X in the Gravitational Acceleration box. The PRESTO! scheme is well suited for rotating flows with steep pressure gradients.

Future Work
Application of the above problem to various phase change materials like Palmitic acid, Myristic Acid, Sodium Acetate Trihydride, Paraffin Wax, Stearic Acid, Lauric Acid for heat storage materials, domestic water heating applications, etc. Formulating a Coefficient to correlate the Phase Change rates theoretically and experimentally i.e actual rate. It has been determined by many previous works that experimental and analytical solutions have approximately a 3% error and can be considered to be almost exact.