An enriched finite element algorithm for the implicit simulation of the Stefan problem

An implicit enriched finite element algorithm is proposed to simulate heat transfer involving isothermal phase changes. This technique is based on a mixed variational formulation discretized by means of an enriched finite element approximation of the enthalpy in space. The interface is implicitly described without coupling with an interfacecapturing technique. The time integration is carried out with an implicit (backward) Euler algorithm in time. Two examples in 1D and 20 clearly evidence the efficiency of the method developed. (C) 2011 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.