Diffusion limited growth-up of channels of ICF and its influence on integral flow through the channel

V. Frishfelds¹ - A. Jakoviċs¹ - B. Nacke² - E. Baake²

¹ Faculty of Physics and Mathematics, University of Latvia, 8 Zeļļu str, LV-1002 Rīga, Latvia
² Institute of Electrotechnology, Leibnitz University of Hannover, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 4, D-30167 Hannover, Germany

Abstract
Transit integral flow through the channel and the resulting temperature difference are extremely important in application of the induction channel furnace. Estimations showed that the force coming from the Boussinesq approximation is the leading force that drives the melt flow through the channel. The transit flow highly depends on the geometry of channels, power, heat losses, viscosity and other factors. One of the other factors is growth-up of channels during melting. The grown material is shown to be fractal-like, which occurs due to diffusion-limited accumulation of oxide particles to the surface. Therefore, the growth-up influences the cross-sectional area of the channel and consequently the transit flow and temperature difference in the channel. As a particular example, melting of steel is considered. Figs 8, Refs 13.