Finite element analysis for convective heat diffusion with phase change (Q2368272)

An enthalpy method is extended to solve phase-change problems associated with fluids. By using the concept enthalpy, the governing equations are first reformulated into a single quasi-linear partial differential equation that implicitly takes into account the condition of phase change. This equation together with appropriate initial and boundary conditions is then decomposed into two sets of equations respectively representing a convection and a diffusion problem. The decomposition is accomplished in such a way that no phase contradiction occurs between the two separate problems. The convection problem is solved by the method of step by step characteristics and the diffusion problem by a Galerkin finite element method.