variavel0=<b>Luiz Joaquim Cardoso Rocha</b> - ljoaquim@pucminas.br Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais
<b>Angela Ourivio Nieckele</b> - nieckele@mec.puc-rio.br Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
<b>Abstract.</b> Numerical study of solidification from an isothermal vertical wall of pure metal, by the finite volume method. A nonorthogonal system of coordinates is employed to adapt to the irregular geometry, with a moving mesh to account to the changing domain size. The momentum equations are solved for the contravariant velocity components. The SIMPLEC algorithm handles the coupling between velocity and pressure. The numerical method is validated by comparison with available experimental data. The phase change process is driven by natural convection in the melt. As the Rayleigh number increases, the intensity of the natural convection in the melt cavity also increases and the flow can become turbulent. The purpose of the paper is to analyze in influence of the turbulent regime on the kinetic of the melting process. The turbulent flow is taken in account by a low Reynolds number model. The influence of the Rayleigh number on the velocity and temperature field is investigated.
<b>Keywords.</b> melting, pure metal, turbulent natural convection.