A computational study of transient plane front solidification of alloys in a Bridgman apparatus under microgravity conditions

A mathematical model of heat, momentum and solute transfer during directional solidification of binary alloys in a Bridgman furnace has been developed. A fixed grid single domain approach (enthalpy method) is used. The effects of coupling with the phase diagram (a concentration-dependent melting temperature) and of thermal and solutal convection on segregation of solute, shape and position of the solid/liquid interface are investigated. A vorticity–stream function formulation is used for calculation of the velocity fields. The results presented include calculations at 1 and 10 μ g, both neglecting and including the dependence of melting temperature on concentration.