A finite element method for steady-state conduction-advection phase change problems

A new finite element: technique is developed to solve steady-state conduction-advection problems with a phase change. The energy balance equation at the solid/liquid interface is employed to calculate the velocity of the solid/liquid interface in the Lagrangian frame. The position of the solid/liquid interface in the Eulerian frame is determined based on the composition of the velocity of the solid/liquid interface in the Lagrangian frame and the steady-state velocity of a rigid body. The interface position and the finite element mesh are continuously updated during an incremental process. No artificial diffusion is needed with this new finite element approach. An analytical solution for solidification of a pure material with a radiative boundary condition is also developed in this paper. Numerical experimentation is conducted and the corresponding results are compared with analytical solutions. The numerical results agree well with analytical solutions.