Efficiency analysis of induction air heater and investigation of distribution of energy losses

摘要

In this study, an induction air heater prototype that is designed to supply hygienic air was analysed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the distribution of energy losses and investigate the effects of inducer discs on the thermal efficiency of the prototype. The analysis was carried out by applying the 1st Law of Thermodynamics. In the study, the natural convection and radiation losses, the discharge losses and the losses due to kinetic energy were calculated and presented. The maximum thermal efficiency was calculated to be 29,9 % without discs. It was seen that, to ensure the competitiveness of the induction air heater among other air heaters, the thermal efficiency can be boosted up to 90 % with appropriate insulation and construction. It was seen that utilizing the discs decreased the efficiency and the total energy loss was reduced as the number of discs was decreased.