The levitation melting process using cold crucible technique.

International audienceClassical levitation melting process using conventional conical inductor can not be used at industrial scale because of the limited size of liquid metal which can be maintained in equilibrium against gravity force. Because of high frequency and axisymmetry of magnetic field distribution, a stagnation point occurs at the bottom of the liquid load, where only surface tension can balance hydrostatic pressure. The use of cold crucibles with particular shape does not suppress the stagnation point but reduces region where magnetic field is deficient. Consequently possible loads of liquid metal which can be levitated are considerably increased. Numerical modeling of cold crucible and of equilibrium shape of levitated liquid metal provides a useful guide for tayloring levitation melting devices