Solid velocity correction schemes for a temperature transforming model for convection phase change

Abstract

Purpose

To study the effects of velocity correction schemes for a temperature transforming model (TTM) for convection controlled solid‐liquid phase‐change problem.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of three different solid velocity correction schemes, the ramped switch‐off method (RSOM), the ramped source term method (RSTM) and the variable viscosity method (VVM), on a TTM for numerical simulation of convection controlled solid‐liquid phase‐change problems are investigated in this paper. The comparison is accomplished by analyzing numerical simulation and experimental results of a convection/diffusion phase‐change problem in a rectangular cavity. Model consistency of the discretized TTM is also examined in this paper. The simulation results using RSOM, RSTM and VVM in TTM are compared with experimental results.

Findings

In order to efficiently use the discretized TTM model and obtain convergent and reasonable results, a grid size must be chosen with a suitable time step (which should not be too small). Applications of RSOM and RSTM‐TTM yield identical results which are more accurate than VVM.

Originality/value

This paper provides generalized guidelines about the solid velocity correction scheme and criteria for selection of time step/grid size for the convection controlled phase change problem.

Citation

Ma, Z. and Zhang, Y. (2006), "Solid velocity correction schemes for a temperature transforming model for convection phase change", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 16 No. 2, pp. 204-225. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530610644271