Coupled numerical modelling and experimental analysis of domestic induction heating systems

Abstract

Continuous demands on resources of energy heighten the need for better and smarter use of available resources. Induction heating (IH) is a technology that is proved to be more efficient in many industrial applications compared to direct resistive heating. Also, IH can be used in domestic devices, as it provides clean and contactless regime of heating. In this paper, a fully coupled numerical approach of a domestic IH system for water boiling is presented. The approach couples the modelling of magnetic field generated in the system with both heat transfer and fluid flow phenomena. The nonlinear and temperature-dependent characteristics of materials are accounted for in the coupled numerical approach. The numerical approach is validated by experimental measurements that are implemented for four case studies. In addition, a detailed parametric study is presented to investigate the effects of different design parameters. The results provide a picture of the nonlinear, complex, transient buoyancy-driven fluid motion. It is found that the heating efficiency is highly affected by different design parameters such as susceptor material, thickness, and offset distance from the bowl base. These effects are highly nonlinear due to the inclusion of nonlinear magnetic and thermal characteristics. The results also highlight the importance of the investigation of IH systems as integrated systems, in contrast to most of existing similar studies. By this holistic approach, different thermal processes and effects of different design parameters are involved, and consequently the heating efficiency can be clearly assessed.