Learning Forum

[CFD_newbie]

For melting of a solid to liquid, when I use Solidification/Melting model in ANSYS FLUENT, what is the impact of the results when using or not using the VOF model?

Thx.

[Rob]

The former stops the material from moving when it gets cold (eg water and ice). The latter tracks a free surface between fluid phases (eg air and water).

[CFD_newbie]

Thank you for your reply.
I am trying to simulate the PCM melting process. There are only solid and liquid PCM in a tank. The PCM material in the tank is heated from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Does the solidification/melting model need to be combined with the VOF model? Or is it enough to just use the solidification/melting model? When combining VOF or not, what is the difference between the results?

[Rob]

If you just have PCM and no head space (ie air space) then you don't need the VOF model. The difference is in what you're modelling, with a head space you may get a different heat transfer rate at that location.