On a numerical approach to Stefan-like problems (Q808203)

A solid-liquid system composed of a homogeneous substance in a bounded two-dimensional domain is considered. The evolution of this system is modelled, via enthalpy formulation, as a nonlinear parabolic problem. Approximation is by continuous piecewise linear finite element ansatz in space, combined with a semi-implicit difference scheme in time. Results on positivity, stability and convergence are obtained, under appropriate assumptions on the spatial mesh and on the timestep. Two numerical case studies are described (one of them spatially one- dimensional, the other two-dimensional) and their results displayed and discussed.