Numerical analysis on thermal regime in double-loop channel inductor

In order to investigate the temperature distribution, a three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) was developed to simulate the temperature regime in the channels of double-loop inductor, and the simulated results were compared with experimental data from low load trials of a 400 kW inductor. The results of numerical simulations, such as the temperature and Joule heating rate, show reasonable correlation with experimental data. The results indicate that Joule heating rate and the temperature reach the maximum at the corners and the minimum at the centre of the cross-section area. The temperature difference between the inlet and outlet is in an inverse proportion to mass transport. Joule heating rate and the temperature are directly proportional to power frequency. It is concluded that mass transport and power frequency play a critical role in determining the temperature regime and Joule heating rate, the relative permeability of the magnetic core shows no significant influence on temperature regime and Joule heating rate, when the relative permeability varies from 5 000 to 10 000.