Modeling natural convection with solidification in mould cavities

In this work, a comparative assessment of the finite volume (FVM) and finit e element (FEM) methods is performed in the analysis of different problems involving natural convection. The FVM semi-implicit method for pressure-lin ked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm and a fixed-mesh FEM using a generalized s treamline operator (CSO) technique are used in the numerical solution of th e thermally coupled incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The thermal ind uced fluid flow pattern, the modified temperature field, and the heat trans fer conditions are successfully evaluated in natural convection problems, i ncluding phase-change and mould wall conductance effects.