Study of the heat fluxes in an induction furnace with cold crucible

On the basis of experiments and analytical and numerical mathematical models developed, the heat transfer in an induction furnace with cold crucible is studied. Heat generation by eddy currents, heat losses by heat conduction and radiation, electromagnetic forces and melt convection are considered. The temperature, the unknown shape of the free surface and the skull are calculated as a coupled thermal-electromagnetic-hydrodynamic problem. Experiments on a pilot IFCC to study the influence of the supplied power on the heat fluxes, on the shape of the free surface and skull and on the superheating of the melt have been carried out. The results of the measurements are compared with obtained by calculation. The characteristic thermal behaviour of an induction furnace with cold crucible is described.