3. Numerical modeling of coupled phenomena

3.1 General

The complexity of the phenomena involved in induction heating has necessitated the use of numerical methods for sizing installations. Mastery of techniques for solving coupled partial differential equations (electromagnetism, thermics, fluid mechanics, etc.) has made many spectacular advances. An arsenal of numerical methods has been developed to adapt the best to the type of problem to be solved. For example, heating a non-magnetic material at high frequency is not the same as heating a piece of steel in the steel industry.

The development of numerical methods (finite differences, finite volumes, finite elements, boundary integrals, etc.) is fortunately accompanied by advances in computer hardware. Programs that once required complex, expensive...