A Finite Element Multi-mesh Approach for Heat Transport Between Disconnected Regions

The paper presents a method of numerical modeling of transient heat transport between separated areas in two-dimensional space. The gap of variable width filled with heat conducting material separates considered regions wherein the case of ideal contact is also possible. The mathematical model is based on the partial differential equation of heat conduction supplemented by appropriate initial and boundary conditions of I-IV kind. The numerical model uses finite element method (FEM) with independent spatial discretization of interacting regions resulting in multi-mesh problem. The movement of spatially discretized regions relative to each other is also possible. The results of numerical simulations for the two and three areas that were in thermal interaction are presented and discussed.