A hybrid lattice Boltzmann model for solid–liquid phase transition in presence of fluid flow

In the present Letter, a hybrid lattice Boltzmann methodology is developed for simulating convection–diffusion transport processes pertinent to melting/solidification problems. The model is derived by coupling a modified thermal lattice Boltzmann model with an adapted enthalpy-porosity technique. The hydrodynamic variables are simulated using a single particle density distribution function, whereas the thermodynamic variables are obtained from an enthalpy density distribution function. An exhaustive comparison with other standard methods reveals that the proposed technique is computationally more convenient to be implemented for solving topologically-complicated phase boundary evolution problems during solidification of pure materials, such as the growth of an equiaxed dendrite in an undercooled melt.