Dimensionless Analysis and Mathematical Modeling of Electromagnetic Levitation (EML) of Metals

• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-015-0457-0
• Publication Date: 2015-09-23T15:33:11Z
• Authors: Lei Gao; Zhe Shi; Donghui Li; Yindong Yang; Guifang Zhang; Alexander McLean; Kinnor Chattopadhyay
• Keywords: Dimensionless quantity

Electromagnetic levitation (EML), a contactless metal melting method, can be used to produce ultra-pure metals and alloys. In the EML process, the levitation force exerted on the droplet is of paramount importance and is affected by many parameters. In this paper, the relationship between levitation force and parameters affecting the levitation process were investigated by dimensionless analysis. The general formula developed by dimensionless analysis was tested and evaluated by numerical modeling. This technique can be employed to design levitation systems for a variety of materials.