Computer simulation of an aluminum casting furnace

Abstract

A dynamic model has been built to simulate the heat transfer in an aluminum casting furnace. Each furnace component (roof, floor, metal, gas) is treated as 1-D heat conduction medium except the gas which is treated as a single control volume. The model accounts for heat transfer by radiation, convection and conduction. The melting, known as Stefan problem, is solved by the enthalpy method. For purpose of validation, a complete batch on a 72-ton melter-holder is simulated. Satisfactory predictions are obtained for temperatures, heat fluxes as well as furnace efficiency