Technical article: Induction heating reduces power cost

Advanced Battery Technology, Nov 2000 by Fireman, Jerry

A group of business students developed a cost model as part of their manufacturing class and estimated that the cost of production would be only 12 cents per tube, including all plant and operating costs. Lepel agreed to donate a power supply as part of its long-standing program of supporting materials research. Having demonstrated the viability of their concept, Johnson and his group are now seeking funding to build a single line pilot plant.

Tom Hunt, president of AMPS, said, "Besides its remarkably low cost, the beauty of Dr. Johnson's approach to cost reduction is that it can scale seamlessly from a single induction heater up to a large plant with 100 heating units. I believe that it could be the key to the development of a mass market for AMTEC generators."

For more information contact Lepel Corporation, 50 Heartland Blvd., Edgewood, NY 11717, (516) 586-3300, Fax: (516) 586-3232, www.lepel.com

by Jerry Fireman President, Structured Information Birmingham, Michigan