What is the power consumption requirement for melting MS/SS? Expert Guidelines for Energy Efficiency

Melting Mild Steel (MS) or Stainless Steel (SS) requires a specific power consumption range of 600 to 650 kWh per ton. This metric is the standard industry baseline used to calculate energy costs and efficiency for induction furnace operations involving ferrous alloys.

For accurate operational planning, you should expect an average energy consumption of approximately 625 kWh per ton when melting steel scrap, falling within the standard 600–650 kWh range.

Analyzing Energy Requirements

The Standard Power Range

For most industrial applications, the energy required to melt one ton of Mild Steel or Stainless Steel generally falls between 600 and 650 kWh.

This range accounts for the high melting point of steel alloys and the latent heat of fusion required to transition the metal from solid to liquid.

Consistent Metrics Across Steel Types

It is important to note that this power requirement applies to both Mild Steel (MS) and Stainless Steel (SS).

While the chemical compositions differ, the thermal energy required to reach the melting point remains comparable for practical power supply sizing.

The Median Benchmark

Data indicates that 625 kWh per ton serves as a reliable median figure for calculations.

Using this specific number allows for more precise forecasting when estimating electricity usage over long production cycles.

Factors Influencing Efficiency

Variable Furnace Performance

While 600–650 kWh per ton is the standard, actual consumption depends heavily on furnace efficiency.

Older equipment or furnaces with degraded lining may experience higher heat loss, pushing consumption toward the upper end of the range or beyond.

Impact of Scrap Quality

The density and cleanliness of the scrap material also play a critical role in energy draw.

Clean, dense scrap melts more efficiently, whereas loose or dirty scrap can act as an insulator, increasing the power required per ton.

Optimizing Your Melting Operations

To apply this data effectively to your facility or project planning, consider your specific operational goals.

• If your primary focus is Cost Estimation: Use the upper limit of 650 kWh per ton to create a conservative budget that accounts for potential inefficiencies.
• If your primary focus is Performance Benchmarking: Aim for 600 to 625 kWh per ton as a target KPI to evaluate the health and efficiency of your furnace system.

Aligning your power expectations with this baseline ensures you can accurately predict overheads and identify equipment underperformance.

Summary Table:

Metric	Specification
Standard Power Range	600 - 650 kWh per ton
Median Benchmark	625 kWh per ton
Applicable Materials	Mild Steel (MS) & Stainless Steel (SS)
Key Efficiency Factors	Furnace lining health, scrap density, and equipment age
Target KPI for Performance	600 - 625 kWh per ton

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