Analysis of solidification and melting of PCM with energy generation

One-dimensional solidification and melting of a slab with uniform volumetric energy generation is examined analytically. A sudden change in surface temperature triggers phase transformation and interface motion. Analytic solutions are obtained using a quasi-steady approximation. Unlike solidification, the melting case is characterized by a pure liquid phase and a mixture of solid and liquid at the fusion temperature. The solution is governed by a single energy generation parameter. Temperature profiles, interface location and steady state conditions are presented for solidification and melting. Results are applied to two examples: solidification of a nuclear material and melting of ice.