Heat transfers in porous media. Phase changes

Phase change phenomena in porous media, like all poly-phase processes, are complex and still only partially understood. This article deals only with the liquid-vapor phase change (vaporization-condensation) because of its particular practical importance in numerous domains. Content: 1 - Fixing of a fluid constituent inside a porous matrix; 2 - mathematical modeling; 3 - example of reference situations: phase changes at temperatures below the saturation temperature (vaporization, condensation), phase changes at temperatures above the saturation temperature (condensation, vaporization-boiling); 4 - conclusion. (J.S.)