Stefan Problem Research Articles

Triple junction benchmark for multiphase-field models combining capillary and bulk driving forces

Abstract A benchmark problem is formulated which is well suited for the validation of mesoscopic phase-field models for grain-boundary migration in polycrystals. First, an analytical steady-state solution of the sharp moving boundary problem is derived for a symmetric lamellar structure, which is valid for arbitrary bulk driving forces and triple junction angles. Characteristic quantities are identified to reduce the parameter space which in turn allows a systematic comparison of simulations and analytical results. Various multiphase-field (MPF) formulations are compared which approximate the sharp interface problem in terms of a diffuse regularization. An interfacial thickness convergence study reveals that the model error is largely dependent on the ratio of bulk to interfacial stabilizing force as well as the underlying model formulation. An additional grid convergence study highlights the efficiency of a more advanced discretization scheme. The results can be used to guide the selection of appropriate models and to estimate the interface thickness and spatial resolution required to achieve a given accuracy target. The post-processing framework consists of a fully automated determination of well-defined metrics from the phase field simulation data, eliminating human bias and facilitating reproducibility. The corresponding code is made openly available to assist the materials science and engineering community in validating MPF, multi-order parameter and similar model developments. We believe that this work provides a reliable benchmark procedure to better understand the potentials and limitations of current multiphase-field models as well as alternative approaches.

Mathematical model for heat transfer during underground coal gasification process

Purpose. To develop a mathematical model of the “coal-gas” medium heat transfer during underground coal gasification to predict the combustion face advance velocity and the duration of gasification column mining. Methodology. To detect the temperature fields in the coal seam and gas, depending on the displacement length of the phase transition boundary, a boundary-value problem of mathematical physics has been developed. To solve this boundary-value problem, Boltzmann transformations, as well as methods for solving ordinary differential equations, are used. Newton-Raphson method, which has quadratic convergence, is used to find the roots of the transcendental equation. Findings. Tendencies in the formation of mathematical models when studying temperature fields around an underground gasifier have been analyzed, with highlighting their disadvantages. A mathematical model of heat transfer during underground gasification has been developed, taking into account the phase transition boundaries of the “coal-gas” medium. A computational experiment was conducted to determine the temperature of the phase transition boundary based on the length of the gasification column and the duration of the process. Originality. A mathematical model for heat transfer during coal gasification in the form of a boundary-value problem of mathematical physics, which consists of parabolic heat-transfer equations, the Stefan condition at the phase transition boundary, and the Dirichlet boundary conditions, has been constructed. As a result of solving the boundary-value problem, a self-similar solution has been obtained for the distribution of the coal seam and gas temperature fields, as well as the position of the phase transition boundary depending on the gasification duration and on the medium density, thermal conductivity coefficients, specific heat capacity of gas and coal, specific calorific value and temperature of coal combustion, initial coal temperature and constant temperature of the gasification process. The conducted analysis of numerical calculations provides a deeper understanding of the dynamics of underground coal gasification process and makes necessary corrections to achieve the maximum process efficiency. Practical value. A methodology for determining the displacement length of the phase transition boundary of the “coal-gas” medium has been developed, taking into account the change in the combustion face temperature along the gasification zone length depending on the duration of this process. Application of the methodology makes it possible to predict the time of mining the gasified coal column for drawing up a calendar plan for mining operations.

Well-posedness and stability for the two-phase periodic quasistationary Stokes flow

The two-phase horizontally periodic quasistationary Stokes flow in \mathbb{R}^{2} , describing the motion of two immiscible fluids with equal viscosities that are separated by a sharp interface, parameterized as the graph of a function f=f(t) , is considered in the general case when both gravity and surface tension effects are included. Using potential theory, the moving boundary problem is formulated as a fully nonlinear and nonlocal parabolic problem for the function f . Based on abstract parabolic theory, it is shown that the problem is well-posed in all subcritical spaces \mathrm{H}^{r}(\mathbb{S}) , with r\in(3/2,2) . Moreover, the stability properties of the flat equilibria are analyzed in dependence on the physical properties of the fluids.

On the factors and the degree of their effect on subglacial melt and changes in the state of Antarctic subglacial lakes

ABSTRACT This study presents the results of mathematical modeling of the degree of effects of various characteristics on basal conditions in Antarctica. The model is based on the numerical solution of the one-dimensional Stefan problem. Five factors determining the nature of subglacial processes have been studied: ice thickness, snow-firn thickness, surface mass balance, air temperature, and geothermal heat flux. It was found that on the Antarctic plateau, slope, and coast, the geothermal heat flux has the greatest influence on the basal conditions. It is the heat flux that is responsible for the transition of most Antarctic lakes from a stable state to an active one (except for the ice stream regions). In areas where the ice sheet is thinner than 1,500 m, air temperature is the second most important factor affecting subglacial conditions. In areas where the glacier is thicker, the ice thickness begins to have a greater effect. The snow-firn thickness and snow accumulation have little effect on subglacial melt in most parts of Antarctica. Calculations over a 100-year period show that if meltwater accumulates on the bedrock rather than being completely channeled, it leads to a decrease in the average rate of subglacial melting by approximately 10 times.

Boiling heat transfer by phase-field method

AbstractIn this work, we propose and test the validity of a phase-field method tailored specifically for modeling boiling phenomena. The method relies on numerical solutions of the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with a phase-field method and the energy equation. The continuity and Navier–Stokes equations have been modified introducing a source term that accounts for phase change. Likewise, in the conservative Allen–Cahn equation (phase-field method) a source term that accounts for the volume is introduced. The system of governing equations is solved using a projection-correction method and equations are discretized using a second-order finite difference approach. Thanks to the numerical discretization employed, a constant coefficient Poisson equation for pressure is obtained, which can be efficiently solved using FFT-based direct solvers. The proposed method is validated against several benchmarks: an interface undergoing vaporization at a constant rate, the Stefan problem, the adsorption problem, and the growth of a 2D vapor bubble. For all the benchmarks, the present method well matches with analytical and archival literature results for a wide range of vapor-to-liquid density ratios, from $$\rho _v/\rho _l = 1$$ ρ v / ρ l = 1 down to $$\rho _v/\rho _l \simeq 5 \times 10^{-4}$$ ρ v / ρ l ≃ 5 × 10 - 4 (where $$\rho _v$$ ρ v identifies the vapor density and $$\rho _l$$ ρ l the liquid density).

Approximate Solution of Fuzzy Sedimentary Ocean Basin Boundary Value Problem Using Variational Iteration Method

The problem that is considered in this paper is developed from the migration of the coastline over time in sedimentary ocean basins that may be considered as a moving boundary problem with a variable latent heat transfer equation as a governing equation if one of the boundaries is unknown, with boundary and initial conditions are given. This model discusses the shoreline movement within sedimentary basins. The main objective of the paper is to use fuzzy logic to formulate this problem when modelling sand particles migration in saltwater by utilizing fuzzy numbers whenever replacing some of the problem's parameters. In reality, the proposed model is more general than the nonfuzzy or crisp models. By employing the variational iteration method, the approximate numerical solution of the proposed problem has been found, and computer software written in Mathematica 11 have been used to obtain the results.

Development of an improved mass transfer model for condensation with dynamic feedback regulation

In the field of condensation research, accurate and efficient numerical simulation models are highly desired. One of the widely used phase change mass transfer models is known as the Lee model. However, this model has limitations due to uncertainties in the mass transfer intensity factor, which can lead to simulation failures and impede large-scale engineering applications. This study presents an improved mass transfer model which employs a tuning function to dynamically and accurately modify the mass transfer intensity factor in each two-phase cell via feedback adjustment. This approach enables immediate and customized adjustment of the factor for each grid within the limit of the tuning function, significantly reducing the errors caused by repeated artificial adjustments and related uncertainties. The adjustment capabilities of the hyperbolic tangent and softsign functions are evaluated. The softsign function is superior in both regulation efficiency and accuracy. The model's accuracy is verified by comparing with previous experiments and simulations, as well as by the one-dimensional Stefan problem. The proposed model achieves high prediction accuracy, reduces the risk of simulation dispersion, and significantly enhances computational efficiency with the iteration number reduced by nearly half under certain conditions compared to the Lee model. Furthermore, the new model shows robustness as the prediction accuracy is insensitive to variations in critical parameters. The improved model is expected to provide valuable assistance for future research and applications in flow condensation with outstanding computational accuracy, efficiency, and stability.

Existence of maximal solutions for the financial stochastic Stefan problem of a volatile asset with spread

Existence of maximal solutions for the financial stochastic Stefan problem of a volatile asset with spread

A singular two-phase Stefan problem and particles interacting through their hitting times

A singular two-phase Stefan problem and particles interacting through their hitting times

A front-fixing numerical method for a fluvio-deltaic sedimentation process with thespace fractional derivative and variable sediment flux

This paper centers around a space-fractional mathematical model for a fluvio-deltaic sedimentation process which involves a space-fractional derivative (Caputo derivative) and time dependent variable sediment flux to investigates the movement of shoreline in a sedimentary ocean basin. This model is a specific case of a basic shoreline model and analogous to a Stefan problem. The numerical solution to the problem is acquired by employing a front-fixing explicit finite difference method. The consistency, stability and convergence of the numerical scheme are theoretically analyzed. The effects of variable sediment flux on the movement of shoreline position and the height of sediments are also assessed for different cases.

Phase-field formulated meshless simulation of axisymmetric Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem

A formulation of the immiscible Newtonian two-liquid system with different densities and influenced by gravity is based on the Phase-Field Method (PFM) approach. The solution of the related governing coupled Navier-Stokes (NS) and Cahn-Hillard (CH) equations is structured by the meshless Diffuse Approximate Method (DAM) and Pressure Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO). The variable density is involved in all the terms. The related moving boundary problem is handled through single-domain, irregular, fixed node arrangement in Cartesian and axisymmetric coordinates. The meshless DAM uses weighted least squares approximation on overlapping subdomains, polynomial shape functions of second-order and Gaussian weights. This solution procedure has improved stability compared to Chorin's pressure-velocity coupling, previously used in meshless solutions of related problems. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem simulations are performed for an Atwood number of 0.76. The DAM parameters (shape parameter of the Gaussian weight function and number of nodes in a local subdomain) are the same as in the authors’ previous studies on single-phase flows. The simulations did not need any upwinding in the range of the simulations. The results compare well with the mesh-based finite volume method studies performed with the open-source code Gerris, Open-source Field Operation and Manipulation (OpenFOAM®) code and previously existing results.

Simulating film boiling with sharp interface and direct calculation of mass transfer to investigate the hydrodynamic and thermal transport phenomena near the interface

The current study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model for film boiling using two fluids, including liquid nitrogen. Ansys Fluent was customized using user-defined functions (UDFs) to accurately model thermal and fluid dynamic interactions. The UDFs accommodate mass transfer at the liquid-vapor interface, maintaining a sharp interface by accounting for the saturation temperature. Direct heat and mass transfer calculations are implemented rather than relying on empirical correlations. Mesh analysis was performed with grid sizes of 615, 410, 307, and 123 μm, with the 307 μm grid selected for its agreement with average Nusselt number values and accurate bubble shape and height. Verification using the Stefan problem showed a maximum error of 0.45 % for interface displacement and 0.1 % for temperature distribution. Validation against the Berenson correlation demonstrated good agreement in Nusselt number values. Qualitative validation of the developed method is performed using the shapes of the growing bubble. The results obtained show that the sharp interface is preserved throughout the simulation, with temperature contours showing significant variations during bubble growth and departure. Local heat transfer coefficient analysis identified peak values of 2170 W/m²-K at locations of minimal film thickness. Velocity vector analysis revealed velocities of 2 m/s in the vapor phase, influencing bubble shape during growth and departure. The study highlights the impact of thermal film thickness on heat transfer, with the highest Nusselt number of 5.69 observed at a film thickness of 0.5 mm. The results demonstrate the application of VOF sharp interface tracking and direct calculation of interfacial conditions utilizing customized Ansys Fluent in the modeling of film boiling as a way to understand the fundamental aspects of the fluid and thermal behavior.

Three-dimensional compact multi-resolution weighted essentially non-oscillatory reconstruction under the Arbitrary Lagrange–Euler framework

A third-order compact multi-resolution weighted essentially non-oscillatory (CMR-WENO) reconstruction method for three-dimensional (3D) hybrid unstructured grids is developed using the Arbitrary Lagrange–Euler framework. The finite volume method is used to discretize the governing equations, and some turbulent and moving boundary problems are simulated. Only one compact center stencil comprising the neighboring cells of each control cell is required to construct the polynomials in the algorithm. As a result, the number of stencils and stencil cells is significantly reduced when compared with the traditional WENO scheme. This simplifies the code and improves the robustness of the algorithm. By ensuring the cell average and first-order derivatives are consistent with that in stencil cells an over-determined system of equations can be used to reconstruct the polynomials. This system can then be solved using the compact least squares method to avoid an ill-conditioned coefficient matrix. Furthermore, a coupled implicit iteration strategy is used to solve for the unknown coefficients, so no extra determination is required for the derivatives of each control cell. The final interpolation function for discontinuities in the flow field is obtained using CMR-WENO to nonlinearly combine polynomials of different orders, which further improves the stability of the algorithm. The CMR-WENO can be implemented on 3D hybrid unstructured grids and can be used to simulate complex problems such as those involving turbulence and moving boundaries. Finally, the algorithm presented here is verified to be third-order accurate and to exhibit good robustness when used on several representative numerical examples.

Numerical simulation of manta ray swimming using a smoothed-particle hydrodynamics method and investigation of the vortical structures in the wake

A three-dimensional smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is used to study the moving boundary problem of a swimming manta ray, focusing on Eulerian and Lagrangian coherent structures. The manta ray's boundary motion is predefined by a specific equation. The calculated hydrodynamic results and Eulerian coherent structures are compared with data from the literature. To improve computational stability and efficiency, the δ+-SPH model used in this study incorporates tensile instability control and an improved adaptive particle-refinement technique. By comparing and analyzing the Eulerian and Lagrangian coherent structures, the relationship between these vortex structures and hydrodynamic force generation is examined, revealing the jet mechanism in the manta ray's wake. The SPH method presented herein is robust and efficient for calculating biomimetic propulsion problems involving moving boundaries with large deformations, and it can accurately identify vortex structures. The approach of this study provides an effective simulation tool for investigating biomimetic propulsion problems such as bird flight and fish swimming.

A high-efficiency sharp-interface immersed boundary method based on multi-linear interpolation

The sharp-interface immersed boundary method (IBM) reconstructs the flow locally to achieve the precise identification of solid boundaries and their consequential influences on the fluid dynamics. However, the computational accuracy and efficiency are notably impacted by the diverse interaction between the fluid's Euler grid and the solid's Lagrange mesh. Taking the two-dimensional (2D) case as an example, we analyze the characteristics of various grid cutting classes, with a particular focus on how they reduce the solution speed and computational precision. To address these challenges, we propose a multi-linear interpolation method that enriches flow field information by expanding the interpolation template. Computational results of 2D flow past a stationary cylinder and airfoil, and the takeoff of airfoil takeoff demonstrate that the multi-linear interpolation method increases computational efficiency by up to 20%, while maintaining accuracy. Furthermore, we extend this method to three-dimensional (3D) calculations, enhancing efficiency by about 5% and improving accuracy. Finally, by simulating the full-body motion of a penguin swimming, we showcase the robustness of the method in simulating complex geometric moving boundary problems.

Phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann method for containerless freezing.

In this paper we first propose a phase-field model for the containerless freezing problems, in which the volume expansion or shrinkage of the liquid caused by the density change during the phase change process is considered by adding a mass source term to the continuum equation. Then a phase-field-based lattice Boltzmann (LB) method is further developed to simulate solid-liquid phase change phenomena in multiphase systems. We test the developed LB method by the problem of conduction-induced freezing in a semi-infinite space, the three-phase Stefan problem, and the droplet solidification on a cold surface, and the numerical results are in agreement with the analytical and experimental solutions. In addition, the LB method is also used to study the rising bubbles with solidification. The results of the present method not only accurately capture the effect of bubbles on the solidification process, but also are in agreement with the previous work. Finally, a parametric study is carried out to examine the influences of some physical parameters on the sessile droplet solidification, and it is found that the time of droplet solidification increases with the increase of droplet volume and contact angle.

Comprehensive numerical modeling analysis and experimental validation of a multi-turn pulsating heat pipe

The aim of this paper is to present the results of the experimentally validated numerical code designed for thermal-fluid computations in pulsating heat pipes using CFD techniques. The analysis was carried out using the OpenFOAM software, where an algorithm was developed to simulate multiphase flow with phase change and coupled heat transfer between the fluid and solid domains. The article meticulously delineates the steps involved in implementing and validating the model, commencing from basic comparative tests like the Stefan problem, progressing through Scriven’'s bubble growth, and culminating in an experiment with single- and multi-turn pulsating heat pipes. The algorithm has been refined by including a convergence criterion based on the Galusinski-Vigneaux number, which allows faster results and reduces the likelihood of numerical anomalies. Finally, an experiment was carried out to evaluate the thermal efficiency of a two-loop heat pipe on a specially designed experimental set-up constructed by the authors. In the experiment, ethanol was utilized as the working fluid, operating within a temperature range of 20 to 90 °C. The experiment was carried out with three distinct filling ratios: 50 %, 62.5 %, and 75 %. The validated parameters included pressure and temperature at the measurement points and the experimentally derived thermal efficiency results were compared with the numerical results. The model showed an error of 7.06 ± 3.73 %.

Retraction Note: A heat polynomials method for the two-phase inverse Stefan problem

Retraction Note: A heat polynomials method for the two-phase inverse Stefan problem

Numerical analysis of the stochastic Stefan problem

The gradient discretisation method (GDM) – a generic framework encompassing many numerical methods – is studied for a general stochastic Stefan problem with multiplicative noise. The convergence of the numerical solutions is proved by compactness method using discrete functional analysis tools, Skorokhod theorem and the martingale representation theorem. The generic convergence results established in the GDM framework are applicable to a range of different numerical methods, including for example mass-lumped finite elements, but also some finite volume methods, mimetic methods, lowest-order virtual element methods, etc. Theoretical results are complemented by numerical tests based on two methods that fit in GDM framework.

Mathematical Framework to Model Electrodeposition/Stripping in Li-Metal Batteries during Cycling

Li-metal batteries, often heralded as the next frontier in energy storage technology, boast remarkable characteristics such as high energy density. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries, Li-metal batteries incorporate a lithium-metal anode, which significantly enhances their energy density. This higher energy density translates to a substantial increase in the amount of energy that can be stored in a given volume or weight, paving the way for more powerful and longer-lasting energy solutions[1–3]. However, significant shortcomings do exist, such as uneven Li-Metal deposition, dendrite formation, dead lithium, etc.[4] These phenomena are different than what are usually observed in Li-ion batteries with intercalation chemistry and lead to issues such as poor cycle life, low coulumbic efficiency, and safety concerns.[3]Mathematical modeling is a promising approach to studying the physicochemical processes involved in the Li-metal batteries to understand the morphology changes during cycling. The plating and stripping of the lithium metal on the anode during cycling can be modeled as a moving boundary problem.[5] Since the process involves a shrinking and expanding electrolyte domain, moving boundary problems call for the fastidious implementation of the model equations and boundary conditions.[6]In this talk, we will show the general mathematical framework involved in modeling Li-metal batteries in 1D systems. It expands upon the importance of carefully implementing boundary conditions to tackle the mass conservation issue that arises while cycling the model. It will also touch upon the additional complexities associated with expanding the model to 2D systems with convection in the electrolyte phase.