Comparison of a mixture formulation with a similarity solution for binary alloy solidification (Q1094278)

Motivated by a principal interest in the continuous casting of alloys, an application of a mixture theory has been proposed for examining problems involving solidification of a multicomponent system. The formulation provides a basis for studying the solidification of a binary alloy in which the two phases may be present in arbitrary amounts. Balance laws for mass, momentum and energy for each phase are written which account for interactions between the mixture components. The present work describes methods for modeling the rate of growth of solid in terms of a mass exchange; incorporates drag, buoyancy and interfacial pressure forces in the momentum exchange; and includes the latent heat and dissipation in the energy exchange. For unidirectional solidification under equilibrium cooling conditions, the thermal field is resolved and compared with a classical similarity solution.