COUPLED INTEGRAL-EQUATION APPROACH FOR SOLVING PHASE-CHANGE PROBLEMS IN A FINITE SLAB

The recently advanced Coupled Integral Equation approach for solving phase-change problems of semi-infinite medium is extended to develop an approximate analytic solution for melting or solidification in a slab of finite thickness subjected to a time-varying prescribed temperature at one surface and a constant prescribed temperature at the other. The accuracy of the analytic expressions obtained in this manner is examined by comparing the present results to those reported in the literature. The influence of physical parameters such as the Stefan number and the applied surface temperature on the interface position and boundary heat fluxes is examined. © 1990.