Quantitative analysis of melting by image processing technique
by
Jozef Goscik
Bialystok University of Technology

Image processing is applied to investigate melting of a subcooled paraffin. Physically, the aim of the work is experimental study of the final, steady state regime when solid-liquid interface reaches a stationary position and convective heat transfer in the liquid is balanced by heat conduction throgh the solid core. In general, the experimental method proposed is to make analysis of the visual information automatically by means of digital processing. The technique was applied: to visualise steady state melt contours strongly influenced by natural convection, to obtain quantitative data such as area of regions occupied by either phase, to detect shape and location of the solid-liquid interface, and finally to obtain volume of the material melted.

Date received: February 9, 1999