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Simulasi Flux Density Permanent Magnet NdFeB untuk Aplikasi Generator

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Conference Paper · May 2013

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Anggito Tetuko Candra Kurniawan

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Vol.6 hal-85 Seminar Nasional Kimia Terapan Indonesia 2013
Solo, 23 Mei 2013

SIMULASI FLUX DENSITY PERMANENT MAGNET NdFeB

UNTUK APLIKASI GENERATOR LISTRIK

Anggito P. Tetuko, Candra Kurniawan, Perdamean Sebayang

Pusat Penelitian Fisika – LIPI, Kawasan PUSPIPTEK Serpong, Tangerang Selatan, Banten, Indonesia
email: angg005@lipi.go.id

Abstract
In this paper, the magnetic flux density simulations on NdFeB permanent magnets in a rotor of a generator
system have been analyzed. The rotor consist of eight permanent magnets of NdFeB (rectangular shape). The
simulation was done using finite element method with mesh size and precision variations. The simulation
parameters were used one variation of coercivity:52 MGOe and several variations of mechanical angle,
respectively are 0o, 30o, 60o, and 90o. In this simulation, the air gap between the two rotors also have been
varied, respectively are 3.0, 4.0, and 5.0 cm. From the simulation is obtained that the distribution of the
magnetic field in the rotor and the air gap between the two rotors will affect the induction voltage and the
overall performance of the generator system. At the air gap of 3.0 cm, the flux density reaches the highest value
of 0.18 T compared to other results using different air gap. It is also found that the mesh size and the precision
method did not affect much the simulation result.

Keywords: magnetic flux density, finite element, generator, simulation

Abstrak
Dalam makalah ini, simulasi magnetic flux density dari magnet permanen NdFeB pada rotor didalam sistem
generator telah dianalisa. Rotor tersebut terdiri dari delapan buah magnet permanen NdFeB (bentuk kotak).
Simulasi tersebut dilakukan dengan menggunakan metoda finite element menggunakan variasi mesh dan tingkat
kepresisian. Parameter simulasi menggunakan nilai koersivitas sebesar 52 MGOe dan beberapa variasi
mechanical angle berturut-turut adalah 0o, 30o, 60o, and 90o. Pada simulasi ini, air gap diantara kedua rotor juga
divariasi, berturut-turut adalah 3.0, 4.0, dan 5.0 cm. Dari simulasi yang telah dilakukan diperoleh bahwa
distribusi medan magnet didalam rotor and air gap diantara kedua rotor mempengaruhi tegangan induksi dan
kinerja keseluruhan dari sistem generator. Pada air gap sebesar 3.0 cm, flux density mencapai nilai tertinggi
sebesar 0.18 T dibandingkan dengan dengan hasil lainnya menggunakan nilai air gap yang berbeda. Dari hasil
juga disimpulkan bahwa ukuran mesh dan precission method tidak terlalu mempengaruhi hasil simulasi

Kata kunci: magnetic flux density, finite element, generator, simulasi

numerical procedure that can be applied to obtain

1. Introduction
Permanent magnet of NdFeB is widely used in
the application of a generator system because of its
high flux density that will result to higher induction
voltage [1]. A neodymium magnet is a permanent
magnet made from an alloy of neodymium, iron,
and boron to form the Nd2Fe14B tetragonal
crystalline structure [2].
The tetragonal Nd2Fe14B crystal structure has
exceptionally high uniaxial magnetocrystalline
anisotropy (HA~7 T). This gives the compound the
potential to have high coercivity (i.e., resistance to
being demagnetized). The compound also has a
high saturation magnetization (Js ~1.6 T or 16 kG)
and typically 1.3 T. Therefore, as the maximum
energy density is proportional to Js2, this magnetic
phase has the potential for storing large amounts of
magnetic energy (BHmax ~ 512 kJ/m3 or 64 MG·Oe)
[3].
This paper will focus on the analysis of
permanent magnet (NdFeB) in a rotor of a
generator system using finite element method.
The finite element method (FEM) is a
Anggito.P.Tetuko et al /Prosiding SNKTI (2013) Vol.6 hal-85-90
solutions to a variety of problems in engineering
and science. Steady, transient, linear and nonlinear
problems in electromagnetics, structural analysis,
and fluid dynamics may be analyzed and solved
with it [4, 5]. Its main advantage is its capability to
treat any type of geometry and material
inhomogeneity without a need to alter the
formulation of the computer code that implements
it providing geometrical fidelity and unrestricted
material treatment.
Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM)
software, [6] has been developed for this reason
addressing some limiting cases of Maxwell’s
equations. The magnetic problems addressed are
those that can be considered as low frequency (LF)
problems in which displacement currents can be
ignored. In a similar vein, the electrostatics solver
consider the converse case in which only the
electric field is considered while the magnetic field
is neglected. The program addresses 2D planar and
3D axisymmetric linear and nonlinear harmonic
magnetic, magnetostatic and linear electrostatic
problems [7, 8].
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The usual electromagnetic field (Maxwell divided into two sections. The first simulation
equations) are expressed in terms of the electric analyzed the rotor from the front view. It only
field intensity E, the magnetic field flux density B, focuses on the magnetic field inside the rotor. In the
and the current density J. The equations are shown first simulation, it used several variations of
below [9]: mechanical angle, mesh (13000 and 26000 nodes)
and precision method (10-8 and 10-10). The second
ρ 1) simulation will focus on the analysis from the side
∇⋅
ε view and involved the magnetic field between the
two rotors and one stator. It will use the variation of
δ 2)
air gap (3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 cm). The geometry, mesh
∇×
δ configuration and the initial condition of a rotor in a
3) generator system both front and side view are
∇⋅ 0 1)
shown in Figures 1 and 2.
δ 4)
∇× μ ε
δ
The FEMM package, [7, 8], addresses some
limiting cases of Maxwell’s equations, the
magnetostatics, the electrostatics, and the LF time
harmonic magnetic problems. For the electrostatic
and magnetostatic problems fields are time-
invariant and Equations. (2) and (4) become:

∇× 0 5)

6)
∇× μ Figure 1. The mesh configuration and the initial condition
In the case of a magnetostatic problem FEMM of a rotor in a generator system (front view)
goes about finding a field that satisfies (3) and (6)
via a magnetic vector potential approach. The flux
density is written in terms of the vector potential A,
as:
∇× 7)
and Equation (7) becomes:

∇× μ
∇× 8)

2. Methodology

A simulation using FEMM 4.2 software was

conducted to investigate the magnetic field
distribution in a rotor of a generator system. It will
be solved using a finite element method that has
been explained previously that considers Maxwell
equation.
The rotor consist of eight permanent magnets
of NdFeB with rectangular shape. It used several
variations of mechanical angle (0o, 30o, 60o and
90o). The permanent magnet has a dimension of 6 x
4 cm and the rotor has a diameter of 25 cm.
The simulation was first made by making a
circle that represents the rotor and the rectangular
shape that represent the permanent magnet. Then
NdFeB with coercivity of 52 MGOe was chosen as
the permanent magnet material and alumunium as
the rotor material in the simulation. It will be
meshed using a tetragonal type.
The simulation only considers a magnetostatic
condition with two dimensional analysis and
Anggito.P.Tetuko et al /Prosiding SNKTI (2013) Vol.6 hal-85-90
Figure 2. The mesh configuration and the initial
condition of a rotor in a generator system
(side view)
3. Results and Discussions
The magnetic field distribution of a permanent
magnet in a rotor system with several variations of
mechanical angle (0o, 30o, 60o and 90o) are shown
in Figure 3. All of the contours show the magnetic
field lines that represent the direction and strength
of a magnetic field of a permanent magnet NdFeB
on a rotor. The mechanical angle will affect the
magnetic distribution on the rotor. This discussion
will be analyzed further in the results.
Based on the result, the simulation has a good
agreement with the theory where the field lines start
from the north-seeking pole of one side and
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terminate on the adjacent south-seeking pole of the

other side.
The results showed that the permanent magnet
of NdFeB (52 MGOe) has a maximum flux density
of 0.975 T where the red color represent it in the
simulation. It reaches the value of 0.05 T at the
space between the two magnets (green color). The
highest value only appears at the corner pole of the
permanent magnet and not in all region. This occurs
because of the limitation of the software and it
appears the magnetization from the magnetizer is
considered in the simulation by FEMM 4.2.
d. 90o

Figure 3. Magnetic field contour on a rotor of a

generator system using several
variations of mechanical angle
The mechanical angle will definitely affect the
field direction as mention previously and will also
affect the overall performance (voltage) of the
generator system as shown in equation 9 [10]. One
of the parameters that affect is the flux (ϕ) from the
permanent magnet of NdFeB. The flux itself is
affected by the magnetic field distribution (flux
density) and area as shown in equation 10 [10]. The
a. 0o effect of mechanical angle on the flux value is
calculated and the result is shown in Figure 4. The
calculation is assumed that the flux density has the
same value in all regions (1 T).
π
ϕ 9)
√

ϕ . 10)

The graph is plotted on 360o direction and

show a sinusoidal pattern. The result in Figure 4
shows that the flux value will decrease
exponentially where the maximum value is reached
at 0o, 180o and 360o. On the other hand the smallest
value reaches at 90o and 270o. This result has a
b. 30o good agreement with the previous result from Chan,
et al [11] where they also found a sinusoidal pattern
on the axial flux generator.
1.5

1
Flux Density (T)

0.5

-0.5 0 60 120 180 240 300 360

-1

-1.5
Mechanical Angle (o)
Figure 4. Flux density as a function of
c. 60o mechanical angle

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The contour and the plot graph of the magnetic

flux density as a function of distance in the 1
horizontal direction are shown in Figures 5 and 6. 0.9
Based on the results it can be concluded that the

Flux DEnsity (T)

0.8
value starts to increase from 0 until it reaches a 0.7
maximum value of 0.45 T at the center position and 0.6
start to decrease again to 0 at the end of the plot. It 0.5
occurs due to the magnetic field lines that have 0.4
been simulated by FEMM 4.2 software. 0.3
0.2
0 1 2 3 4
Length (cm)

Figure 8. Flux density as a function of length

(vertical direction)

The magnetic field distribution of a permanent

magnet in a rotor system from the side view is
shown in Figure 9. In this simulation, it is
simplified into two pair of permanent magnets and
analyzed in two dimensional direction because of
the limitation of the software and computing power.
Figure 5. Magnetic field of permanent magnet in Based on the results, it can be concluded that
horizontal direction
the air gap affects the magnetic field distribution in
0.5 the coil and thus will affect the induction voltage
and the overall performance of the generator system
as mention previously and shown in equations 9
Flux Density (T)

0.4
and 10.
The magnetic field that used an air gap of 3.0
0.3 cm reaches the highest flux density of 0.18 T
compared to other results. This occurs due to the
0.2 fact that the closest the permanent magnet will
result to the higher value of magnetic field that
0.1
affect the coil in the stator. The air gap flux density
is represented in yellow color where the permanent
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Length (cm) magnet of NdFeB is represented in red color. This
Figure 6. Flux density as a function of length fact has a good agreement with the Faraday law.
(horizontal direction) The comparison result of the magnetic field using
another value of air gap: 4.0 and 5.0 cm
The contour and the plot graph of the magnetic respectively are 0.12 and 0.06 T.
flux density as a function of distance in the vertical
direction are shown in Figures 7 and 8. Based on
the results, it can be concluded that the value
decrease from the pole to the center of the
permanent magnet. This occurs because the pole
has the highest magnetic flux density and the
magnetic line also show this fact.

Figure 9. Magnetic field contour of an air gap on a

rotor of a generator system (side view)

Anggito.P.Tetuko
Figure 7. Magnetic field contour of permanent magnet in et al /Prosiding SNKTI (2013) Vol.6 hal-85-90
vertical direction ISSN: 2088 -9828
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the air gap flux density will definitely increase the

The contour and the graph of the magnetic field
at the air gap between two permanent magnets of a
generator that consist of two rotors and one stator is
shown in Figures 10 and 11. Based on the graph, it
can be concluded that the magnetic field at the
permanent magnet has the value of 0.9 T and
continue to decrease at the center of the coil inside
the stator (at an air gap of 3.0 cm). Then the value
increases again at the other side of permanent
magnet of NdFeB. The phenomena are similar to
the other air gap of 4.0 and 5.0 cm but with less
value of air gap flux density.
Figure 10. Magnetic field contour of an air gap between
the two rotors
1 electromagnetics?, Educataion and Information
0.9
0.8
Flux Density (T)
performance (output voltage and power) as
explained in Faraday law. The small air gap will
result to higher flux density.
6. References
[1]. Bumby, J.R., R. Martin., M.A. Mueler., E.
Spooner., N.L. Brown and B.J. Chalmers.,
2004, Electromagnetic Design of Axial-Flux
Permanent Magnet Machines, IEEE Electric
Power Applications, Vol. 151, No.2: 151-160.
[2]. Fraden, J., 2010, Handbook of Modern Sensors:
Physics, Designs, and Applications, 4th Ed.
USA: Springer. pp. 73. ISBN 1441964657.
[3]. Drak, M.., Dobrzanski, L.A, 2007, Corrosion of
Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets". Journal of
Achievements in Materials and Manufacturing
Engineering, Vol. 20, pp. 1–2.
[4]. Volakis, J. L., et al, 1998, Finite element
methods for electromagnetics. IEEE
[5]. Moaveni, S., 1999, Finite element analysis:
Theory and application with ANSYS. Prentice-
Hall.
[6]. Baltzis, K.B., 2010, The finite element method
magnetics (FEMM) freeware package: May it
serve as an educational tool in teaching
Technology, Vol.15, pp. 19-36
[7]. Meeker, D., 2004, Finite element method
magnetics: User’s manual, 4th version.

0.7 3 cm
4 cm [8]. Meeker, D. , 2004, FEMM 4.0 Electrostatics
0.6
5 cm Tutorial.
0.5
[9]. Balanis, C. A., 1989, Advanced engineering
0.4
electromagnetics. USA: Willey.
0.3
[10]. Skaar, S.E., O. Krovel., R. Nielsen and H.
0.2
Erstad, Slotless Toroidal Wound, Axially-
0.1
Magnetized Permanent Magnet Generator for
0 Small Wind Turbine Systems, Department of
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 Electrical Power Engineering, Norwegian
Length (cm)
University of Science and Technology.
Figure 11. Flux density as a function of an air gap of 3.0, [11]. Chan, T.F and L.L. Lai., 2007, An Axial-Flux
4.0 and 5.0 cm. Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Generator for
a Direct-Coupled Wind-Turbine System, IEEE
Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol.22,
5. Conclusions No.1, pp.86-94.
The simulation has aproofed that the magnetic
field distribution is an important parameter to
design a rotor in generator system. The increase of

Anggito.P.Tetuko et al /Prosiding SNKTI (2013) Vol.6 hal-85-90

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Rekaman Tanya Jawab Saat Presentasi

Prof. Dr. Masbah RT. Siregar (Pasca Sarjana, Teknik Elektro- Institut Sains dan Teknologi Nasional)
Pertanyaan Apakah generator ini dapat di desain dalam bentuk lain, selain axial flux?
Jawaban Ya bisa, generator in bisa di desain dalam bentuk radial flux
Ayu Yuswitasari, S.Si (Pusat Penelitian Fisika-LIPI)
Pertanyaan Mengapa air gap yang semakin besar akan menurunkan tegangan induksi yang dihasilkan?
Jawaban Celah udara (air gap) yang semakin besar akan mengurangi medan magnet dari magnet
permanen pada rotor yang mengenai koil pada stator sehingga menurunkan tegangan induksi
yang dihasilkan sesuai dengan hukum Faraday

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