Numerical modelling of melt circulation in industrial-size furnaces with power supply by inductor and over electrodes (original) (raw)

The computations of electromagnetic (EM), hydrodynamic (HD) and thermal fields based on developed 3D models are performed for: i) almost axis-symmetrical MHD-device with bottom and submerged and non-submerged top electrodes with single phase alternating current (AC) and cylindrical coil around the melt; ii) MHD-device with three-phases current supplied over three submerged top electrodes as well as with EM stirrer, which is the side non-symmetrical inductor, the source of "travelling" magnetic field. Obtained flow patterns are the results of competition of electro-vortex convection (EVC) and electromagnetic convection (EMC), which appear due to conductive and inductive current supply accordingly. For axis-symmetrical MHD-device the melt rotation appears as the cross effect of interaction of inductive or conductive current with magnetic fields, produced by other type of power supply. For axis-symmetrical MHD-device with non-submerged top electrode the intensity of EVC is for an order greater then intensity of termogravitational convection (TGC).