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Journal of Porous Media

ISSN for PRINT: 1091-028X

Institutional price:	$713.00
Issues per year:	8

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2007, Volume10

111 pages

Issue price - $99.00

Simulation of Melting of Ice under a Constant Temperature Heat Source Using a Combined Transfinite Interpolation and Partial Differential Equation Methods

P. Rattanadecho
Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani 12121, Thailand

C. Serttikul
Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University (Rangsit Campus), Pathumthani 12121, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Within the framework of the novel numerical method, this article presents an efficient algorithm for solving multidimensional nonlinear heat problem involving phase change. A numerical study is made for melting of ice subjected to a constant temperature heat source with different initial conditions. The algorithmic design is based on two steps: Preliminary grids are first generated by an algebraic method, that is, a transfinite interpolation method, with subsequent refinement using a Partial Differential Equation (PDE) mapping (parabolic grid generation) method in the next step. Numerical examples are given for the two melting conditions: low and very low initial temperatures. The accuracy and flexibility of the presented numerical methods are verified by comparing the results with existing analytical solutions. The simulated results are also compared with the experimental results. In summary, the algorithm is able to efficiently and accurately predict the evolution of temperature distribution and deformation of an interface (melting front) with smooth grid point distribution. An important application of the present algorithm would be in the field of phase change problems.