Two-phase Stefan problem for generalized heat equation with nonlinear thermal coefficients

Abstract

In this article we study a mathematical model of the heat transfer in semi infinite material with a variable cross section, when the radial component of the temperature gradient can be neglected in comparison with the axial component. In particular, the temperature distribution in liquid and solid phases of such kind of body can be modeled by Stefan problem for the generalized heat equation. The method of solution is based on similarity principle, which enables us to reduce generalized heat equation to nonlinear ordinary differential equation. Moreover, we determine temperature solution for two phases and free boundaries which describe the position of boiling and melting interfaces. Existence and uniqueness of the similarity type solution is provided by using the fixed point Banach theorem.