Spatial matching relationship of dual heat sources in electromagnetic heating of pipes

Abstract

• Dual heat sources reduce the probability of latent defects in electromagnetic heating. • The mechanism of the interference of dual heat sources on the induced magnetic field. • Reveal the spatial matching relationship of dual heat sources under moving conditions. In medium-frequency heat treatment, it is difficult to thoroughly heat the interior of welds of heavy-wall pipes, and blind zones of heating or overheating zones with latent defects are very readily present. To solve the electromagnetic-heating-induced latent defects, we researched the mode of heat transfer inside the welds with heat sources under motion conditions to determine the temperature field evolution, spatial magnetic field distribution, and spatial matching relationship in cases of dual heat sources interfering with each other, tangential to each other, and not interfering with each other. With the increase in the axial spacing between the internal and external heat sources, the magnetic field intensity at the middle of the thickest part of the welding seam on the steel pipe increased and then decreased. When the heat sources interfered with each other, the temperature rise at the weld center from electromagnetic heating was no longer fast after the Curie point was reached. The induced magnetic field heating concentration positions shifted toward both sides of the weld center. The latent defect area was reduced by 18.7 mm 2 when the spacing between the internal and external heat sources was 19 mm. This study explores the dual-heat-source interaction mechanism for the first time in the heat treatment of pipes to minimize the blind zones of heating and overheating zones.