Simulation and Design Optimization of SiC Synthesis Furnace with Double-Heat Sources

The flow fields and heat/material transports, in the industrial furnace with double heat sources and for synthesis of silicon carbide by carbothermal reduction, were mathematically modeled, theoretically analyzed, numerically simulated in finite element method with ANSYS FLUENT software and experimentally evaluated with the lab-built furnace for the structural design optimization.The impact of the synthesis conditions, including but not limited to the furnace geometry, heat source position, heating time and gas permeability, on the temperature, pressure and gas velocity spatial profiles, and latent hazard of SiC production, was investigated.The simulated and experimental results were found to be in good agreement.The furnace modified with the simulated results outperforms the conventional one because of longer service lifetime, more environmental friendliness, greater safety, and most important, higher SiC quality.