Reference values and initialisation
 

I have a case where a container is filled with a phase change material. It is initially a solid (317K), melting when the temperature has reached 319K from the hot wall adjacent. Should I set the reference value for the interior to 317K or even lower than this? Then for initialisation set the hot wall to initially be, say 300K?

I am confused with these two concepts, could someone please elaborate?

Regards

The initialization is your initial condition. You should know what value to put here (the initial temperature).

The reference values tab is a set of arbitrary values used for post-processing and does not affect the solution in any way. The reference temperature is used for calculating the heat transfer coefficient q" = h*(Twall-Tref).