Asymptotic solution for coupled heat and mass transfer during the solidification of high water content materials

Abstract

This paper focuses on obtaining an asymptotic solution for coupled heat and mass transfer problem during the solidification of high water content materials. It is found that a complicated function involved in governing equations can be approached by Taylor polynomials unlimitedly, which leads to the simplification of governing equations. The unknown functions involved in governing equations can then be approximated by Chebyshev polynomials. The coefficients of Chebyshev polynomials are determined and an asymptotic solution is obtained. With the asymptotic solution, the dehydration and freezing fronts of materials are evaluated easily, and are consistent with numerical results obtained by using an explicit finite difference method.