Everything You Need to Know About Induction Heating Chillers

welder working with induction heating chiller

What is induction heating? How does induction heating work? What materials does induction heating work best with? These are all common questions that people have about induction heating chillers.

In this blog post, we will answer all of those questions and more! We will also discuss the purpose of induction heating chillers, water vs. air chillers, and whether or not you need an induction heating chiller. Finally, we will introduce you to KKT Chillers and explain how our company can help you improve your induction heating process.

What is Induction Heating?

Induction heating is a process that uses electromagnetic induction to heat an electrically conductive object. The object is placed in a magnetic field and an alternating current is passed through it. This causes the object to heat up due to eddy currents, which are created by the changing magnetic field.

Put simply, induction heating is a way to heat an object using electricity. This process has many applications, including cooking, welding, and heat treating. Induction heating can be used for many different purposes and across many different industries including:

  • Automotive: induction heating is used for hardening and tempering gears, shafts, and other car parts.
  • Food & Beverage: induction heating is used in food processing for cooking, pasteurizing, and sterilizing.
  • Manufacturing: induction heating is used in welding and heat treating metals.

How Does Induction Heating Work?

Now that we know what induction heating is, let’s take a closer look at how it works. As we mentioned before, induction heating uses electromagnetic induction to heat an object. But how does this process work?

First, an alternating current is passed through a coil of wire (the primary coil). This creates a magnetic field around the coil. Then, the object to be heated (the secondary coil) is placed inside the magnetic field. The changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the object, which causes it to heat up.

The induction heating process is controlled by three main factors:

  • The frequency of the alternating current
  • The strength of the magnetic field
  • The amount of time the object is exposed to the magnetic field

These three factors can be adjusted to control the induction heating process. For example, increasing the frequency will increase the rate at which the object heats up.

What Materials Does Induction Heating Work Best With?

Induction heating works best with materials that are good conductors of electricity, such as metals. This is because induction heating relies on induced currents to heat up an object. If the object is not a good conductor, the induced currents will be very weak and the induction heating process will be less efficient.

Some of the most common materials that are induction heated are:

  • Steel
  • Aluminum
  • Copper
  • Brass

Materials that should not be induction heated are: 

  • Glass
  • Ceramics
  • Plastics

The Purpose of Induction Heating Chillers

Induction heating chillers are used to cool induction coils during the induction heating process. This is necessary because induction coils can get very hot during operation and need to be cooled down to prevent damage.

There are two main types of induction heating chillers: water chillers and air chillers. Water chillers use water to cool the induction coils, while air chillers use air. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, which we will discuss in more detail below.

Water vs. Air Chillers

Water chillers are more effective than air chillers at cooling induction coils. This is because water has a higher specific heat capacity than air, which means it can absorb more heat per unit of mass. Water chillers are also less expensive to operate than air chillers. However, water chillers require a constant supply of water, which may not be available in all locations.

Air chillers are less effective than water chillers at cooling induction coils. However, they do not require a constant supply of water, making them more versatile. Air chillers are also easier to install and maintain than water chillers.

Do You Need an Induction Heating Chiller?

Not all induction heating applications require a chiller. For example, if you are only using induction heating for short periods of time, or if you are not concerned about the efficiency of the induction heating process, then a chiller may not be necessary.

However, if you are using induction heating for long periods of time, or if you need to maximize the efficiency of the induction heating process, then a chiller is recommended.

It is important to know, however, whether or not you need one. Some side-effects of not getting a heating chiller when your machine needs one could include: 

  • Your induction coil may overheat and be damaged
  • The efficiency of your induction heating process may decrease
  • Your induction heating machine may not work as well as it could

Pricing of Induction Heating Chillers

While pricing depends largely on the specific induction heating chiller you need for your application, and the company you are purchasing from, we have a few tips to help you get started:

  • Air chillers are typically less expensive than water chillers.
  • The size of the induction heating chiller will affect the price. larger induction heating chillers will be more expensive than smaller ones.
  • Induction heating chillers can be bought new or used. Buying a used induction heating chiller may save you money, but it is important to make sure that the chiller is in good condition and suitable for your needs.

How KKT Chillers Can Help

At KKT Chillers we offer water-cooled induction heating chillers that are designed for use in industrial applications. KKT chillers use a closed-loop cooling system to cool the induction coils, which makes them more efficient than air chillers.

KKT Chillers are also easy to install and maintain, and they come with a variety of features that make them ideal for use in induction heating applications.

If you need an induction heating chiller, then KKT is the perfect choice. Contact us today to learn more about our products and how we can help you with your induction heating needs.