Generalized Stefan models accounting for a discontinuous temperature field (Q854489)

This paper generalizes the theory proposed in [\textit{E. Fried} and \textit{A. Q. Shen}, Contin. Mech. Thermodyn. 11, No. 5, 277--296 (1999; Zbl 0982.76095)] concerning the balance laws of thermodynamics across a moving surface where thermodynamical variables (including the temperature \(\theta\)) can be discontinuous. By re-interpreting the physical meaning of the various terms involved in Fried and Shen's law, the author emphasises that a nontrivial generalization can be achieved by introducing the so-called equivalent temperature of the interface, \(\bar{\theta}\), by means of a constitutive law. When \(\bar{\theta}\) is chosen as the reciprocal of the average of \((1/\theta)\) Fried and Shen's formulas is obtained while setting \(\bar{\theta}\) equal to the average of \(\theta\) yields the theory of \textit{C. Dascalu} and \textit{A. Danescu} [Mech. Res. Commun. 29, No. 6, 507--512 (2002; Zbl 1029.74012)], but of course more options are possible. For instance, by choosing \(\bar{\theta}=<\theta^r><\theta^{r-1}>^{-1}\) (with \(<\cdot>\) denoting average), they were able to construct travelling wave solutions to the problem of solidification of an undercooled liquid. The assumptions guaranteeing the existence of such solutions do not involve the exponent \(r\).