Solute segregation in directional solidification: Scaling analysis of the solute boundary layer coupled with transient hydrodynamic simulations

The objective of the present paper is to study the ability of an order of magnitude analysis (Garandet et al., 2012) [1] to give a realistic picture of segregation patterns in vertical Bridgman configurations, on the basis of hydrodynamic simulations. The scaling analysis leads to an analytical formulation of the solute boundary layer, involving the wall-shear stress at the solid/liquid interface. In order to test this analytical model, transient simulations of solute segregation in a 2D lid driven cavity configuration have been performed. The developed analytical model, which involves a quasi-steady approximation, is in good agreement with the numerical time-dependent results. The key results of this work are the correlation of segregation patterns in the solid with flow patterns in the liquid and the ability of the analytical model to describe lateral segregations and to capture unsteadiness in the limit of slow variations associated with Bridgman configurations. •Transient simulations of segregation in a 2D lid driven cavity are performed.•A scaling analysis of the solute boundary layer is compared to numerical results.•The scaling analysis provides a good description of lateral segregations.•Slow variations of convection regime and solidification rate are investigated.•Efficient solidification simulations can be achieved using the analytical model.