SIMULATION OF THE ELECTRIC FIELD DISTRIBUTION IN A METAL MELT BY THE METHOD OF DIVIDING A CONDUCTOR INTO ELEMENTAL CELLS

Purpose. To show the functional possibilities of the method of dividing massive conductors into elementary cells and matrix 2D, 3D formalization of electric field characteristics in a metal melt during its electric current treatment. For foundry production technologies, the processes generated in the metal melt during its conductive electric current treatment (CECT) are studied. Methodology. Along with the material science aspects of the problem with the help of numerical simulation is the search for optimal parameters of the melt load. The finite element method (FEM) is used for this purpose. Originality. The tasks to be solved are not classic. This imposes problems on the choice of problem statement and methodological principles of calculations. Therefore, it is important to find another productive flexible numerical modeling method. This is especially important in the development of systems for the implementation of controlled conductive electric current treatment of liquid metals. The paper proposes to apply the known method of dividing massive conductors into elementary cells (M-C), which must be adapted to the CECT conditions in foundry production. At the same time, using this method in combination with FEM, it is possible to deepen the scientific achievements of CEСЕ and obtain validation and verification of the results of solutions. Results. A number of problems have been solved that show different possibilities of modeling with using of the M-C method. The results of using M-K method allows to relatively accurately reproduce the distribution of the base electric field in the metal melt during its treatment with electric current. The ensuring the validation and verification of obtained results, in combination with, for example, M-C and FEM methods can significantly influence the expansion of scientific work on the thermoforce influence of the melt. The obtained results, which be compatible with FEM data, describe the characteristics of basic electric field in the melt in 2D and 3D formats. It is shown that the 2D format enables to determine possible trends in the distribution of field characteristics for different types of currents and types of electrode systems. 3D format has greater functionality, but its productive application requires the improvement of computational algorithms in the matrix formalization of field characteristics in metal melts weighting several hundred kilograms. Figures 7, references 11.