Computational Analysis of the Temperature Profile Developed for a Hot Zone of 2500{\deg}C in an Induction Furnace

TL;DR

This paper presents a finite element model to simulate temperature profiles in an induction furnace reaching 2500°C, validated with experimental data showing high accuracy, aiding in understanding ultra-high temperature material processing.

Contribution

It introduces a validated finite element simulation method for ultra-high temperature induction furnace temperature profiles, accounting for complex thermal properties and reactions.

Findings

Simulation accuracy within 3.4% of experimental data

Effective modeling of temperature gradients at 2500°C

Enhanced understanding of thermal behavior in high-temperature furnaces

Abstract

Temperature gradients developed at ultra-high temperatures create a challenge for temperature measurements that are required for material processing. At ultra-high temperatures, the components of the system can react and change phases depending on their thermodynamic stability. These reactions change the system's physical properties, such as thermal conductivity and fluidity. This phenomenon complicates the extrapolation of temperature measurements, as they depend on the thermal conductivity of multiple insulating layers. The proposed model is an induction furnace employing an electromagnetic field to generate heat reaching 2500 degrees Celsius. A heat transfer simulation applying the finite element method determined temperatures and verified experimentally at key locations on the surface of the experimental setup within the furnace. The computed temperature profile of cylindrical graphite crucibles embedded in a larger cylindrical graphite body surrounded by zirconia grog is determined. Compared to experimental results, the simulation showed a percentage error of approximately 3.4 percent, confirming its accuracy.