Multiphysics Simulation of Infrared Signature of an Ice Cube

Abstract

This poster presents the Multiphysics numerical methodologies used to simulate the Infrared (IR) signature of an ice cube when taken out of the cold environment (-28 C) and allowed to warm at room temperature conditions by means of natural convection. The ice cube is chosen to simplify the geometry. The cubical geometry can be discretized simply and hence allows easy application of Multiphysics simulation tools. The aim of this work is to validate the various numerical methodologies. In order to model the behaviour, a 3D transient heat equation is solved using three different methodologies. In the first part of the work, the finite difference method is used to discretize the heat equation and solved using an FTCS (Forward-Time Central-Space) method in MATLAB® software. Then the same problem is modelled using the spectral method where the domain is discretized non-linearly for the appropriate solution. In the final part of the work, the problem is modelled in ANSYS® Multiphysics software. The results obtained through all methodologies are found in close agreement. This proves that Multiphysics tools can be employed to model thermal behaviour and hence predict IR profile. Further work will be carried out to compare with the experimental results.