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Code-to-code verification of an axisymmetric model of the Bridgman solidification process for alloys

Mirosław Seredyński (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland)
Sara Battaglioli (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland)
Robin P. Mooney (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland)
Anthony J. Robinson (Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland)
Jerzy Banaszek (Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland)
Shaun McFadden (Centre for Engineering and Renewable Energy, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK)

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

ISSN: 0961-5539

Article publication date: 2 May 2017

147

Abstract

Purpose

Numerical models of manufacturing processes are useful and provide insight for the practitioner; however, model verification and validation are a prerequisite for expedient application. This paper aims to detail the code-to-code verification of a thermal numerical model for the Bridgman solidification process of alloys in a two-dimensional axisymmetric domain, against an established commercial code (ANSYS Fluent); the work is considered a confidence building step in model development.

Design/methodology/approach

A grid sensitivity analysis is carried out to establish grid independence, and this is followed by simulations of two transient solidification scenarios: pulling rate step change and ramp input; the results of which are compared and discussed.

Findings

Good conformity of results is achieved; hence, the non-commercial model is code-to-code verified; in addition, the ability of the non-commercial model to deal with radial heat flow is demonstrated.

Originality/value

The ability of the home made model for Bridgman furnace solidification to deal with cases where significant radial heat transfer occurs in the sample was demonstrated. The introduction of front tracking to model the macroscopic growth of dendritic mush and the region of undercooled liquid is identified as the next step in model development.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The work of the first author has been supported by the European Union in the framework of European Social Fund through the “Didactic Development Program of the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering of the Warsaw University of Technology”. Authors Battaglioli, Mooney and McFadden would like to acknowledge the European Space Agency PRODEX programme for funding this research (agreement numbers: 4000110385 and 4000107132) under the management of the Irish Space Delegation at Enterprise Ireland.

Citation

Seredyński, M., Battaglioli, S., Mooney, R.P., Robinson, A.J., Banaszek, J. and McFadden, S. (2017), "Code-to-code verification of an axisymmetric model of the Bridgman solidification process for alloys", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1142-1157. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-03-2016-0123

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

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