Sensitivity of numerical predictions to the permeability coefficient in simulations of melting and solidification using the enthalpy-porosity method

Journal Article (2019)
Author(s)

Amin Ebrahimi (TU Delft - (OLD) MSE-5)

CR Kleijn (TU Delft - ChemE/Transport Phenomena)

Ian Richardson (TU Delft - (OLD) MSE-5)

Research Group
(OLD) MSE-5
Copyright
© 2019 Amin Ebrahimi, C.R. Kleijn, I.M. Richardson
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.3390/en12224360
More Info
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Copyright
© 2019 Amin Ebrahimi, C.R. Kleijn, I.M. Richardson
Related content
Research Group
(OLD) MSE-5
Issue number
22
Volume number
12
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Abstract

The high degree of uncertainty and conflicting literature data on the value of the permeability coefficient (also known as the mushy zone constant), which aims to dampen fluid velocities in the mushy zone and suppress them in solid regions, is a critical drawback when using the fixed-grid enthalpy-porosity technique for modelling non-isothermal phase-change processes. In the present study, the sensitivity of numerical predictions to the value of this coefficient was scrutinised. Using finite-volume based numerical simulations of isothermal and non-isothermal melting and solidification problems, the causes of increased sensitivity were identified. It was found that depending on the mushy-zone thickness and the velocity field, the solid–liquid interface morphology and the rate of phase-change are sensitive to the permeability coefficient. It is demonstrated that numerical predictions of an isothermal phase-change problem are independent of the permeability coefficient for sufficiently fine meshes. It is also shown that sensitivity to the choice of permeability coefficient can be assessed by means of an appropriately defined Péclet number.