Analysis of the induction heating efficiency and thermal energy conversion ability under different electromagnetic stick structures in the RPECT

Highlights: • The effect of the same induction coil structure on different workpieces is studied. • The induction heating efficiency of three electromagnetic stick structures is analysed. • The energy conversion ability of induction heating in the RPECT is studied. • The advantages and disadvantages of three electromagnetic stick structures are discussed. • The reasonable electromagnetic stick structures are selected. Roll profile electromagnetic control technology (RPECT) is a new flatness control technology that has a broad application prospects. The electromagnetic stick is the core component of RPECT. The structure of the electromagnetic stick affects the induction heating efficiency, the energy conversion ability, and the roll crown control ability of RPECT. To research the induction heating efficiency, energy conversion ability and roll profile under three typical electromagnetic stick structures, an electromagnetic-thermal-mechanical coupled axisymmetric model is established by using the finite element software MSC.MARC. After analysis, it was found that the induction heating efficiency, energy conversion ability and roll crown control ability obtained by electromagnetic stick I are far below those of electromagnetic sticks II and III, so the structure of electromagnetic stick I is unreasonable and should not be used in practice. Comparing electromagnetic stick II and electromagnetic stick III, it was found that the induction heating efficiency and roll crown control ability obtained by electromagnetic stick II are slightly lower than those of electromagnetic stick III; however, the radial variation of the roll surface is smaller, and the high-order strip shape control ability is stronger. Therefore, electromagnetic stick II and electromagnetic stick III have their own advantages and disadvantages and can be used for different rolling conditions.