Effect of Mesh Quality on the Numerical Solution of the Solidification of Pure Metal

The paper presents a method of mathematical and numerical modelling of directional solidification process of pure metal in the two-dimensional region. In this case, the thermal conditions associated with the process favours the occurrence of sharp solidification front. The mathematical description of the process is based on the Stefan formulation with appropriate continuity conditions on the solid-liquid interface. The numerical model is based on the finite element method (FEM). The calculations were made on a fixed mesh with diffused solidification front to avoid the difficulties associated with the discontinuity. Temporary position of the interface was calculated with the use of the level set method (LSM). Effect of the quality of the spatial discretization on the accuracy of numerical solution was investigated. Obtained results of the temporary front position were compared with the analytical solution. The correlation between the quality of the spatial discretization and the accuracy of the results was observed. Methods used in the work had significant impact on the computation time and helped avoid the explicit consideration of discontinuity of heat flux on the front.