Abstract
M.Ing. (Electrical And Electronic Engineering)
The metals manufacturing industry is the link between the mining industry, where the
ore is mined, and the manufacturing industries, where metals are utilized to create a
wide range of products. Melting processes.are used in the manufacturing of metals
from the ore, of which induction melting is one of the possible melting processes.
In this study the improvement of induction melting of metals is investigated. A new
topology for an induction melting furnace is proposed, and this topology is thoroughly
investigated.
The induction melting process is influenced by certain user-controlled variables as
well as the electromagnetic layout of the furnace. In this study, the influence of these
variables on the performance of the furnace are investigated through finite element
simulations and insight is also gained into the influence of the electromagnetic layout
of the system.
An experimental induction melting furnace is described in this study, investigated and
compared to the predictions from the simulations. Improvements from structural,
thermal and measuring viewpoints are also investigated and implemented.