Numerical simulation of incompressible flow driven by density variations during phase change

• Published in: International journal for numerical methods in fluids Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 787 - 800
• Main Authors: Mcbride, E., Heinrich, J.C., Poirier, D.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 15.11.1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Binary alloys; Buoyancy; Computational fluid dynamics; Computer simulation; Convection and heat transfer; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Density of liquids; density variations; Exact sciences and technology; Finite element method; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Growth in microgravity environments; Heat convection; incompressible flow; low gravity; Materials science; Mathematical models; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; phase change; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; Shrinkage; Solidification; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; Lead base alloys; Directional solidification; Phase change; Thermohaline convection; Digital simulation; Growth interface; Flow pattern; Finite element method; Binary alloys; Tin alloys; Hydrodynamic instability; Dendrites; Incompressible fluid; Microgravity; Heat transfer; Double diffusion
• ISSN: 0271-2091; 1097-0363
• DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0363(19991115)31:5<787::AID-FLD973>3.0.CO;2-W

The effect of density variations is introduced in a vertical solidification model for binary alloys under the condition that the densities in the liquid and solid phases are different but constant. Emphasis is placed on the interaction between the shrinkage-induced flow and buoyancy flows at low gravity levels, which is relevant to environments encountered in a space shuttle or a space station. The appropriate equations are established, and the numerical method used is described and validated. The stability of the flows is examined using a Pb-Sn system under various gravitational conditions. (AIAA)