Understanding the differences between a submerged arc furnace (SAF) and an electric arc furnace (EAF) is crucial for anyone involved in industrial heating processes.
4 Key Differences Between Submerged Arc Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace
1. Principle of Operation
Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF):
In a SAF, the electrode is typically submerged in the charge.
The heat generation is a combination of the arc heat and the resistance heat from the current passing through the charge.
This method is particularly effective for materials with high resistivity.
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), Specifically Direct Arc Furnace:
In a direct arc furnace, the electric arc is struck directly between the electrode and the charge.
The arc current flows through the charge, resulting in a direct contact between the arc and the charge.
This direct heating process is faster and more efficient.
2. Components and Systems
Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF):
The SAF includes a power supply system, high current conductor, electrode, furnace body, cooling system, feeding system, discharging system, and dust removal system.
The feeding system intermittently feeds materials into the furnace, and a pounding machine maintains the material surface.
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), Specifically Direct Arc Furnace:
EAFs are equipped with similar systems as SAFs but are designed to handle direct arc heating.
They are often larger and more powerful, capable of reaching extremely high temperatures (up to 4000-6000°C).
3. Applications
Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF):
SAFs are commonly used for smelting ores with high resistivity, such as those used in the production of ferroalloys or other high-temperature processes where the material needs to be heated indirectly.
Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), Specifically Direct Arc Furnace:
EAFs are widely used in steelmaking and can smelt various types of steel.
They offer high flexibility in operation, can remove toxic gases and inclusions, and are capable of producing special steels containing refractory elements like tungsten and molybdenum.
4. Fundamental Difference in Operation
While both SAF and EAF utilize electric arcs for heating, the SAF operates with the electrode submerged in the charge, using a combination of arc and resistance heating.
In contrast, the EAF (particularly the direct arc furnace) operates with the arc directly striking the charge, providing a more direct and intense heat source.
This fundamental difference in operation leads to variations in their applications, with SAFs often used for ore smelting and EAFs for steel production.
Continue exploring, consult our experts
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