Specifying Enthalpy in Phase Change Thermal Analysis — Lesson 5

When doing a thermal analysis with phase change, what value of enthalpy is required? Does the thermal solver use the absolute enthalpy (H) or the relative enthalpy (H-Href)?

MAPDL and Mechanical software require total enthalpy. Enthalpy is temperature dependent. Material suppliers sometimes provide enthalpy vs temperature relative to some reference value (e.g., at 0 ^oC). If relative enthalpy is provided, you must determine the reference value (Href) and add it to the relative value to obtain the total enthalpy.