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Virginia Tech

Heat Transfer During Melting and Solidification in Heterogeneous Materials

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A one-dimensional model of a heterogeneous material consisting of a matrix with embedded separated particles is considered, and the melting or solidification of the particles is investigated. The matrix is in imperfect contact with the particles, and the lumped capacity approximation applies to each individual particle. Heat is generated inside the particles or is transferred from the matrix to the particles coupled through a contact conductance. The matrix is not allowed to change phase and energy is either generated inside the matrix or transferred from the boundaries, which is initially conducted through the matrix material. The physical model of this coupled, two-step heat transfer process is solved using the energy method. The investigation is conducted in several phases using a building block approach. First, a lumped capacity system during phase transition is studied, then a one-dimensional homogeneous material during phase change is investigated, and finally the one-dimensional heterogeneous material is analyzed. A numerical solution based on the finite difference method is used to solve the model equations. This method allows for any kind of boundary conditions, any combination of material properties, particle sizes and contact conductance. In addition, computer programs, using Mathematica, are developed for the lumped capacity system, homogeneous material, and heterogeneous material. Results show the effects of control volume thickness, time step, contact conductance, material properties, internal sources, and external sources.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Mechanical Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2000

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Sayar, Sepideh
Chair dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Vick, Brian L.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Thomas, James R. Jr.
  • Scott, Elaine P.
  • Thole, Karen A.

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright
Language dc:language.iso
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
etd-12152000-112941
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/36147

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Sayar, Sepideh. Heat Transfer During Melting and Solidification in Heterogeneous Materials. masters thesis, Virginia Tech, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/36147