Simultaneous Numerical Modelling of Heat Transfer and Magnetic Fields in a Vacuum Induction Furnace

In this paper, heat transfer and magnetic fields in a vacuum induction melting furnace have been studied numerically. To solve the coupled equations of thermal and magnetic induction heating, the finite element method has been used. An induction furnace model is simulated using an industrial geometry. The studies indicate that the effect of the geometry of the crucible and the coil on the melting time has not been thoroughly investigated and requires more in-depth studies. It is attempted to improve the shape of the induction furnace, so that in less time aluminum is melted in a small scale furnace. The effect of the diameter-to-height ratio of the crucible on the duration of melting has been investigated. By decreasing the diameter-to-height ratio, the temperature reaches melting temperature in a shorter time. The results show that for the diameter-to-height ratio of less than 0.4, there will not be a significant change at the average temperature. 10% reduction in the distance between the coils leads to an increase in the average temperature of the working material inside the furnace. With considering the constant density of the coil current and the constant induced current in the heated material, the effects of the number of coil turns on the temperature distribution and magnetic flux are investigated. In this way, the accuracy of the model is also checked by induction heating concepts. The effect of frequency on temperature has been investigated in different coil lengths. The results show that an increase of 4 times in the frequency caused an increase of 1.7 times in the average temperature.