THERMAL EFFECTS ON THE SHAPE OF A SOLIDIFYING INTERFACE NEAR A FOREIGN PARTICLE

A numerical simulation has been used to determine the changes in shape of a solidification front approaching a particle with a thermal condu ctivity different from that of the liquid. Calculations have been done for nylon, steel and glass spheres in an ice-water system. The result s are in good agreement with the experimental observations described i n a previous paper. Some applications of the determination of the fron t shape (evaluation of the forces acting on the particle, isoterms aro und the particle are also presented.