Abstract
This study deals with the optimization of a cold crucible melter where electric currents are directly induced in a glass charge. Designs of experiments are used to determine the factors of the crucible design which have an impact on the efficiency, and result in an optimized configuration. Numerical tools are used to lead the experiments: a finite volume software, used to solve hydrodynamics and thermal equations, is coupled to a finite element software which computes the Maxwell equations. The innovation is the use to couple directly areas treated with surface impedance and volume formulations, in electromagnetic simulation. The optimized configuration is then studied comparing numerical simulations and experiments in an industrial unit.