Effect of power parameter and induction coil on magnetic field in cold crucible during continuous melting and directional solidification

Bottomless electromagnetic cold crucible is a new apparatus for continuous melting and directional solidification; however, improving its power efficiency and optimizing the configuration are important for experiment and production. In this study, a 3-D finite element (FE) method based on experimental verification was applied to calculate the magnetic flux density (B_z). The effects of the power parameters and the induction coil on the magnetic field distribution in the cold crucible were investigated. The results show that higher current intensity and lower frequency are beneficial to the increase of B_z at both the segment midpoint and the slit location. The induction coil with racetrack section can induce greater B_z, and a larger gap between the induction coil and the shield ring increases B_z. The mechanism for this effect is also discussed.