Multiphysics simulation of slag melting in an induction furnace for sustainable silicon production
Publicated to:Applied Mathematical Modelling. 145 - 2025-09-01 145(), DOI: 10.1016/j.apm.2025.116107
Authors: Bermúdez A; Crego O; Ferrín JL; García B; Gómez D; Martínez I; Pérez-Pérez LJ; Salgado P
Affiliations
Abstract
This work presents a multiphysics mathematical modelling and numerical simulation of the slag melting process in an induction furnace, with a focus on the production of sustainable silicon through the EU SisAl Pilot project. The mathematical model incorporates electromagnetic, thermal and hydrodynamic phenomena in a coupled axisymmetric framework to simulate the melting of a CaO-SiO2 slag, a key component in the aluminothermic reduction process for silicon production. The model addresses the challenge of heating the poorly electrically conductive slag using a graphite crucible and it also accounts for buoyancy-driven convection in the molten slag. The numerical simulations are validated against experimental data from pilot scale trials at Elkem's plant in Norway. In addition, sensitivity analyses are carried out considering both the progressive filling of the furnace and the inclusion of surface-to-surface radiation models.
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Quality index
Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel
The work has been published in the journal Applied Mathematical Modelling due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 22/170, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Mechanics.
