Propagation of temperature waves in areas with a phase transition

The process of temperature waves propagation was studied numerically for a case of phase transition in a substance that completely occupies an area (plate, cylinder, or sphere). The temperature varies according to a harmonic law at the boundaries of the areas. The phase transition temperature belongs to the interval of variation in the boundary temperature. The phase transition is modeled using the enthalpy method. The reliability of the results was verified by comparing them with analytical calculations and the results of other authors. The influence of dimensionless parameters and geometrical characteristics on the temperature behavior in the center of the studied area and temperature wave penetration was in the scope of the investigation. A correlation formula for the temperature extreme in the area center as a function of thermophysical parameters was defined. This extreme value is achieved when the difference between the average temperature in the area center and at the boundaries is maximal. It was found that the average temperature at the central point equals the phase transition temperature. The type of extreme depends on the ratio of thermal conductivities for the two phases. The study found a qualitative dependency of the temperature wave attenuation coefficient on thermophysical parameters. The model determines the conditions in which the wave penetration capacity is minimum.