An exact solution to a Stefan problem with variable thermal conductivity and a Robin boundary condition. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ceretani, Andrea N.; Salva, Natalia N.; Tarzia, Domingo A.
• Is Part Of: Nonlinear analysis. Volume 40(2018)
• Page Start: 243
• Page End: 259
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Stefan problems -- Exact solutions -- Temperature dependent thermal conductivity -- Convective boundary conditions -- Modified error function -- Phase-change processes; Nonlinear functional analysis -- Periodicals; Analyse fonctionnelle non linéaire -- Périodiques; Nonlinear functional analysis; Periodicals; 515.7248
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nonrwa.2017.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-1218

Abstract

Abstract: In this article it is proved the existence of similarity solutions for a one-phase Stefan problem with temperature-dependent thermal conductivity and a Robin condition at the fixed face. The temperature distribution is obtained through a generalized modified error function which is defined as the solution to a nonlinear ordinary differential problem of second order. It is proved that the latter has a unique non-negative bounded analytic solution when the parameter on which it depends assumes small positive values. Moreover, it is shown that the generalized modified error function is concave and increasing, and explicit approximations are proposed for it. Relation between the Stefan problem considered in this article with those with either constant thermal conductivity or a temperature boundary condition is also analysed.