Simulation of melting in a three-dimensional body

Numerical and experimental investigations of melting of ice in a three-dimensional cubical object are presented. The ice, initially at a temperature well below its freezing point, is subjected to a temperature higher than its melting point at a part of its top surface. Other boundaries are subjected to natural convection with the surroundings. A liquid phase starts to form in the solid near the region in contact with the hot surface. Experimental results under different boundary conditions show a fast melting rate in the initial period of melting and then a slower rate of melting. Heat losses from the walls of the ice box have a strong effect on the time required for the ice to melt. Results of a simplified numerical model show good agreement with the experimental results.