Chapter 6: Conduction with Phase Transformation:

Moving Boundary Problems

6.1 Introduction

Material undergoes phase change.

Examples: ice formation, soldering, ablation, casting, etc.
Such problems are known as moving boundary or free boundary problems.
The location of the moving boundary (interface) is unknown and must be determined as part
of the solution.
Moving boundary problems are inherently transient.

6.2 The Heat Equation

Since properties such as density, conductivity and specific heat of the solid phase are not the
same as those for the liquid phase, two heat equations are needed, one for each phase:
2Ts 1 Ts
= 0 < x < xi (6.1)
x 2
s t

2 TL 1 T L
= x > xi (6.2)
x 2
L t
The subscripts L and s refer to liquid and solid, respectively, xi is interface location.

6.3 Moving Interface Boundary Condition

Conservation of energy at the moving interface gives an important condition not previously
encountered. This condition is
Ts ( xi , t ) T ( x , t ) dx
ks kL L i = s L i (6.4)
x x dt
dxi
Note that is the interface velocity.
dt

6.4 Non-linearity of the Interface Energy Equation

Equation (6.4) is non-linear indicated by eq. (6.7).

6.5 Non-dimensional Form of the Governing Equations: Governing Parameters

Expression eqs. (6.1), (6.2) and (6.4) in dimensionless form:

 2 s
= S te s (6.10)
2

L 2 L
= S te L (6.11)
s 2

s ( i , t ) L ( i , t ) d i
= (6.12)
d
The parameter Ste is the Stefan number, defined as
c ps (T f To )
S te = (6.9)
L
It represents the ratio of sensible to latent heat.

6.6 Simplified Model: Quasi-Steady Approximation

Meaning of quasi-steady: temperature distribution in each phase at any instant of time is that
of steady state.
This approximation is valid for small Stefan number compared to unity.
Setting Ste = 0 in eqs. (6.10) and (6.11):
2 s
=0 (6.14)
2

2 L
=0 (6.15)
2
Note the simplicity of eqs. (6.14) and (6.15).
The quasi-steady approximation makes it possible to introduce complications in geometry
and boundary conditions.

Example 6.1 Solidification of a Slab at the Fusion Temperature T f

The liquid phase remains at the fusion temperature at all times. Formal analysis confirms
this.
Although the heat equations are based on steady state, the solution to the temperature
distribution in the solid phase is time dependent since it is expressed in terms of the
interface location xi (t ) :
x
Tx ( x, t ) = To + (T f To ) (e)
xi (t )
Application of the interface energy condition gives a differential equation for xi (t ) :
 T f To dxi
ks = s L
xi dt
The solution to this equation gives the interface location xi (t )

2k s (T f To )
xi ( t ) = t (6.16a)
s L

Example 6.2: Melting of Slab with Time Dependent Surface Temperature

The boundary condition for this example is

TL (0, t ) = To exp t
The solid phase remains at the fusion temperature at all times. Formal analysis confirms
this.
Although the heat equations are based on steady state, the solution to the temperature
distribution in the solid phase is time dependent since it is expressed in terms of the
interface location xi (t ) :

T f To exp t
T L ( x, t ) = x + To exp t (c)
xi
Application of the interface energy condition gives a differential equation for xi (t ) :
kL
(T To exp t ) dt = xi dxi (d)
L L f
The solution to this equation gives the interface location xi (t )

xi ( t ) =
2k L
[
(T / ) exp( t ) T f t (To / )
L L o
] (6.18)

6.7 Exact Solutions

6.7.1 Stefans Solution

The problems is solidification of a semi-infinite region which is initially liquid at the fusion
temperature.
The boundary of the region is suddenly maintained at a temperature which is lower than the
fusion temperature.
The liquid phase remains at the fusion temperature.
The solution to the heat equation in the solid phase is obtained by the similarity method.
The solution is expressed in terms of the error function.
 Review the argument used to conclude that the interface xl (t ) must be proportional to the
square root of time t. That is xi (t ) t .
Examine the condition under which Stefans solution reduces to the quasi-steady solution for
the same problem.

6.7.1 Neumanns Solution: Solidification of Semi-Infinite Region

The problems is solidification of a semi-infinite region whose temperature is initially above

the fusion temperature.
The boundary of the region is suddenly maintained at a temperature which is lower than the
fusion temperature.
The liquid and solid phases undergo temperature changes.
The solution to the two heat equations (solid and liquid phases) are obtained by the
similarity method.
The solutions are expressed in terms of the error function.
Review the argument used to conclude that the interface xl (t ) must be proportional to the
square root of time t. That is xi (t ) t .
Note that Stefans solution is a special case of Neumanns solution.

6.8 Effect of Density Change on the Liquid Phase

Density change due to phase change results in liquid motion. The effect of motion is
accounted in the heat equation of the liquid phase:
2TL TL T
L = +U L (6.34)
x 2
t x
Liquid phase velocity U is time dependent. It is expressed in terms of interface velocity:
dx
U = (1 s ) i (6.35)
L dt
Solution: Similarity method.

6.9 Radial Conduction with Phase Change

Exact solution using similarity method is obtained for phase change due to a line source or
sink.
The solution is in terms of the exponential integral function Ei(x).