We formulate the mathematical model of directional crystallization of a binary melt with a mushy layer (region) between purely solid and liquid phases. This model is complicated by melt convection and pressure-dependent phase transition temperature. Approximate analytical solutions to this nonlinear moving-boundary problem are constructed. Namely, the concentration of impurity, fraction of solid phase, mushy region thickness, average fluid velocity, primary interdendritic spacing, mean radius of a chimney, and a characteristic distance between chimneys in a mushy region are found. Using this analytical solution, we describe the mushy region structure near the inner core boundary of the Earth, which is consistent with computer simulations and estimates existing in recent literature. A scheme illustrating the mushy region arrangement with chimneys at the inner core boundary of the Earth is presented. This arrangement based on the developed theory represents the novelty and importance of our study.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1361
JournalCrystals
Volume13
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • General Materials Science

    WoS ResearchAreas Categories

  • Crystallography
  • Materials Science, Multidisciplinary

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