Droplet Solidification: A comparative study of computational models with phase change

Simulations of the dynamic freezing of liquid droplets have applications in both natural and industrial processes. In this work, we perform a comparative study of thermodynamic phase change models coupled with interface-tracking/capturing methods for simulating ice accretion. In particular, we compare the performance and accuracy of existing sharp-interface methods to diffuse-interface methods integrated with phase change models.

Test cases include 1D ice accretion subjected to an initially-imposed temperature field. Results from this test case are compared to the analytical solution of the corresponding 1D Stefan problem. In 2D, ice accretion featuring a growing solid ice particle immersed in liquid water is simulated. Results will be evaluated based on computational cost; conservation behavior; and accuracy by comparing the numerical solution to the analytical solution and other established numerical results.