An enthalpy-based lattice Boltzmann model for diffusion dominated solid–liquid phase transformation

Abstract

An extended lattice Boltzmann (LB) formulation is developed for simulation of three-dimensional heat diffusion, coupled with solid–liquid phase transition aspects. Thermodynamic variables are obtained through the evolution equation of a single particle distribution function. Phase change aspects are tackled by an enthalpy-based approach. The proposed model is subsequently utilized to simulate a generic laser surface melting process and compared with the continuum model results obtained by solving the governing equation for energy transport. The comparison shows a potentiality of the developed LB method to solve phase change problems in a computationally effective and convenient manner.