Electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are essential tools for melting metals like steel or non-ferrous metals. They work by generating an electric arc between two electrodes. This arc produces intense heat, which is used to melt the metals. The process ensures that the metal's chemical properties remain unchanged.
4 Key Points Explained:
1. Electric Arc Formation
- The electric arc is formed by passing an electric current through an air gap between two conducting electrodes. These electrodes are usually made of carbon or graphite.
- When high voltage is applied, it ionizes the air between the electrodes, creating a conductive path.
- The electric arc produces extreme heat, reaching temperatures up to 3500°C.
2. Methods of Striking an Electric Arc
- High Tension (H.T.) Method: Involves using high voltage to create the arc.
- Low Tension (L.T.) Method: Uses lower voltage to initiate the arc.
3. Types of Electric Arc Furnaces
- Direct Current (DC) Furnaces: Use a direct current to generate the arc.
- Alternating Current (AC) Furnaces: Utilize alternating current for the same purpose.
- Indirect Arc Furnaces: In these furnaces, the electric arc does not come in direct contact with the charge. Heat is transferred through radiation from the electric arc to the top surface of the charge and through conduction from the top surface to the bottom layer.
4. Submerged Electric Arc Furnace
- This type of furnace uses both the heat generated by the resistance of the charge when current passes through it and the heat generated by the arc between the electrode and the charge.
- The furnace is composed of a power supply system including a submerged arc furnace transformer, high current conductor, electrode, electric furnace body, cooling system, feeding system, discharging system, dust removal system, etc.
- The lower part of the electrode is generally buried in the charge during operation.
Applications of Electric Arc Furnaces
- Electric arc furnaces are primarily used for melting or extracting ferrous or non-ferrous metals that require high-temperature operations.
- They are crucial in the production of steel from scrap metal, ensuring that the chemical properties of the metal remain unchanged.
Understanding these key points provides a comprehensive overview of the working principles of electric arc furnaces, highlighting their versatility and efficiency in high-temperature metal processing.
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