Hybrids of the heat balance integral method

A framework for refining and hybridizing the heat balance integral method is proposed. While showing the non-uniqueness of a combined integral method in the sense of Myers and Mitchell [T.G. Myers, S.L. Mitchell, Application of the combined integral method to Stefan problems, Applied Mathematical Modelling 35 (9) (2011) 4281-4294], it is evinced through the hybrids advanced and benchmarks undertaken, that for the class of finite Puiseux series commonly employed, there are no globally efficient exponents. Synthesis of local regions of high accuracy of these hybrids is realized through the introduction of an applicable splicing algorithm.