Tiberiu Tudorache and Virgiliu Fireteanu
This paper aims to deal with the 3D finite element analysis of metallic sheets heating in translating motion through the air gap of an inductor of transverse flux type.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to deal with the 3D finite element analysis of metallic sheets heating in translating motion through the air gap of an inductor of transverse flux type.
Design/methodology/approach
This study presents two finite element based motion coupling techniques used to analyze the transient temperature field of moving metallic sheets heated by induction.
Findings
The numerical results obtained by the two different magneto‐thermal – translating motion coupling techniques proposed in this paper are in good agreement with each other being validated also by experimental measurements.
Practical implications
The proposed numerical techniques can be used for the design and optimization of transverse flux induction heating systems.
Originality/value
An original solution to improve the transversal thermal profile of the metallic sheet based on the magnetic shielding is proposed and analyzed. The numerical results of the thermal field are validated by experimental measurements.
Details
Keywords
Virgiliu Fireteanu, Bernard Paya, Jacques Nuns, Yves Neau, Tiberiu Tudorache and Alexandru Spahiu
Analysis and development of a high efficiency, induction heated chemical reactor, medium frequency supplied (1,000‐2,000 Hz), able to be equipped with efficient cooling circuits.
Abstract
Purpose
Analysis and development of a high efficiency, induction heated chemical reactor, medium frequency supplied (1,000‐2,000 Hz), able to be equipped with efficient cooling circuits.
Design/methodology/approach
The numerical investigations of the technical solutions proposed in this paper are based on 3D finite element models that are experimentally validated.
Findings
Solutions to increase the transparency of the cooling envelope of the reactor tank with respect to magnetic field. The positions of envelope regions characterized by high values of power losses are experimentally confirmed by infrared temperature measurements.
Practical implications
The numerical analysis and the experimental investigations, show the possibility to implement efficient cooling circuits in chemical reactors without affecting the performances of the induction heating process. By designing properly the metallic envelope of the tank the global efficiencies of the chemical reactors increase at around 90 percent with reduced impact on the working environment and with low costs.
Originality
This paper proposes an innovative chemical reactor medium frequency induction heated with efficient cooling circuits and with high global efficiency, higher than the actual induction heated chemical reactors.
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Keywords
Virgiliu Fireteanu and Tiberiu Tudorache
The relative motion between the inductor and the work‐piece to be heated, the magnetic non‐linearity and the dependence of physical properties on temperature are considered in the…
Abstract
The relative motion between the inductor and the work‐piece to be heated, the magnetic non‐linearity and the dependence of physical properties on temperature are considered in the numerical simulations of continuous transverse flux induction heating of metallic sheets and scanning type induction heating of billets. Using the translating air‐gap technique, the transient and the steady state electromagnetic and thermal fields are evaluated.
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Keywords
Virgiliu Fireteanu, Bernard Paya, Jacques Nuns and Tiberiu Tudorache
This paper analyses the conditions for which the results of eddy currents computation in thin regions modelled by surface regions are concordant with those obtained using volume…
Abstract
This paper analyses the conditions for which the results of eddy currents computation in thin regions modelled by surface regions are concordant with those obtained using volume finite elements. The concepts of geometrically thin or thick region, electromagnetically thin or thick region, 2D or 3D problem, transverse or longitudinal flux problem are used to characterise the limits of the surface model. The computation of eddy currents in sheets heated in transverse flux inductors and of the eddy current losses in metallic casing of an induction furnace highlights the surface finite element applicability.
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Bernard Paya, Virgiliu Fireteanu, Alexandru Spahiu and Christophe Guérin
This paper presents the results of a series of tests made in order to validate the magneto‐thermal module of the new FLUX3D v3.40. The tool was conceived to solve the coupled…
Abstract
This paper presents the results of a series of tests made in order to validate the magneto‐thermal module of the new FLUX3D v3.40. The tool was conceived to solve the coupled problems of electromagnetic and thermal phenomena. The solving method of the program considers a thermal‐transient problem during a certain period of time and it solves, at each time step, the thermal and electromagnetic equations (in quasi‐stationary magneto‐harmonic formulation), alternatively. We have modelled the inductive longitudinal welding of steel pipes. The results of 3D simulations are compared with measurements on a laboratory device.
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Guillermo Martín‐Segura, Coia Ferrater‐Simón, Joaquim López‐Mestre, Daniel Montesinos‐Miracle and Joan Bergas‐Jané
The aim of this paper is to simulate, test and evaluate an induction heating process considering the converter's performance.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to simulate, test and evaluate an induction heating process considering the converter's performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In case of continuous induction hardening processes, the load changes abruptly during the transition to Curie temperature, becoming significant considering the converter's behavior. In this paper, an induction heating system is simulated combining the numerical analysis of the electromagnetic‐thermal and electrical problem, focusing mainly on the converter's performance. The simulations are realized by using commercial FEM software and the voltage and the frequency are manually varied according to the converter's control. The system has also been implemented in an experimental setup and the results obtained have been compared with the simulations.
Findings
The importance of considering the converter's dynamics was observed during the simulations. The simulation results showed a correspondence with the experimental results, validating the simulation procedure and demonstrating that the converter's behavior has to be considered.
Originality/value
A power converter for a real industrial induction heating process where there is a sudden change in the load parameters is simulated and experimentally tested. The importance of considering the variation of frequency and voltage during the simulation of induction heating systems is demonstrated. Some considerations for induction heating modeling regarding converter's performance are given and the importance of converter's dynamics is introduced. In addition, a simple and flexible method of simulating the converter operation with commercial software is presented.