CONTAIN - Controlled Temperature in Advanced Induction Systems

Purpose and goal

Traditional induction heating uses liquid-cooled copper tubes as a heating coil, which gives a low efficiency but high power density. Induction heating with liquid-cooled litz cable as a coil, embedded in a powder-based flux conductor material has been found to have unrivalled energy efficiency, but limited power density. The Contain project involves further development of a thermal composite material intended for coils for induction heating. By introducing the technology with an internally cooled litz structure, major improvements are gained to existing heating technology.

Expected results and effects

It turns out that the heat conduction in the coil can increase by about 2.5 times, which means that the power density can be increased by about the same amount if only the coil is considered. This moves the problem from the coil to the flow conductor, which will need to be improved to achieve maximum, theoretic capacity. Current proven results are that power density can be doubled, which means a half material cost, less building dimensions and improved efficiency. MagComp can thus deliver less expensive systems with better performance, for example; to ALO.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was started through a production and property study for cooled litz structures through a collaboration between LTH and MagComp, based on the results from the Contemp pre-study. With the newly created heating coil, tests were conducted and some workshops were conducted during two intensive days at ALO in Mora. The results were then used to produce a demonstration system that has been evaluated internally within the project and so far tested with very good results by a machine builder in Germany. A new system will be delivered in June 2018 to a machine builder in Singapore.