Simulation of Triple Helmholtz Coils for Wireless Power Transfer in Photocatalytic Wastewater Photoreforming

The recently proposed assimilation of wireless power transfer in photocatalytic wastewater reforming is worth exploring. Unfortunately, ongoing research effort are both scarce and inadequate particularly in the aspect of numerical analysis. In this study, 2-dimensional numerical solution to the flux density distribution inside the triple Helmholtz coil pairs is sought using the finite element method. Homogenous multi-turn circular coil geometry is used to model the Helmholtz pairs wound around the cylindrical reactor wall of different heights. Based on simple statistical approach, an optimized coil diameter for each cylinder height is then presented and is found to be linearly related. Moderate parasitic capacitance effect at 150 kHz is observed and increases exponentially with increasing excitation frequency. The observed "pairing " of inductance value between L1:L6, L2:L5, and L3:L4 is the effect of mutual inductance between coils and varies with the distance of separation. AC resistance increases exponentially once excitation frequency reaches 700 KHz. An optimized coil geometry will ensure uniform and optimal flux distribution inside the photocatalytic reactor so that maximum power transfer to the receiving entity inside the reactor can be realized.