On the 3-D eddy current field coupled to the heat transfer of induction heating of a slab

In this paper a semi-analytical method is proposed for solving the 3-D eddy current field problem coupled to the steady-state heat transfer in an inductor-slab system that is part of an induction heating process. The frequency of the inductor current is 100 kHz. The heat transfer problem of the moving slab is solved by Galerkin's FEM. Experiments performed in a German factory have confirmed the results obtained by the method proposed. The results also indicate the possibility of using induction heating to compensate for the nonuniform heating effect of the strip casting process so that a uniform temperature distribution will be obtained.