A Mixed Enthalpy-Temperature Finite Element Method For Generalized Phase-Change Problems

In a large number of problems of engineering interest the transition of the material from one phase to another is of vital importance in describing the overall physical behaviour. Common applications include metal casting, freezing and thawing of foodstuffs and other biological materials, ground freezing and solar energy storage. The phase-change problem is characterized by an abrupt change in enthalpy per unit temperature in a narrow temperature range around the freezing point