Electric furnaces are extremely hot chambers where the thermal energy is used for industrial manufacturing. It is especially useful in metallurgy where we need high temperatures to melt, cure, paint or carry out other metal work. They are also used domestically in very cold regions for ensuring a warm atmosphere in the home. Electric furnaces are seen as alternatives to fuel furnaces. Instead of using fuel, we use electricity to produce the heat required.
Electric furnace manufacturers supply to both the industrial and domestic sector. One of its biggest applications is in steelmaking. Electric furnaces are used in most steelmaking factories, including speciality steelmaking units.
Differences from an electric oven
An electric furnace is often confused with an electric oven. Perhaps the interchangeable usage came from he familiarity of their initial structure and the way the terms were often used interchangeably. However, there are some clear differences between the two which define the purpose they are used for. These differences are:
Temperature: The main difference between the two is the temperature. The furnace is built to reach very lever of temperatures, significantly more than an oven. Where an industrial oven’s temperature usually does not go beyond 900ºF, a furnace is built for temperatures above 2000ºF.
Heat distribution: The heat distribution and the way it is introduced in the apparatus differs in the two cases. The heating chamber is separate in an oven. The hot air is released in a separate chamber and a recirculation fan takes the hot air from the heating chamber to the area containing the product. We need a high amount of heat and recirculated air for ensuring even and proper heating. In contrast, the heat is introduced directly in the industrial furnace. In some furnaces, electric furnace manufacturers build the heat source throughout the chamber to ensure even heating.
Applications: The different temperature settings of the furnace and oven also dictate their applications. The lower temperature settings of an oven are ideal for functions like drying, curing and cooking. Functions like curing or drying need very controlled application of heat, which an oven is perfect for. Furnaces are more suited to very high temperature applications, especially in metallurgy. Carburising, tempering and annealing are some of the applications you can carry out in an electric furnace.
Types of electric furnace
Modern electric furnaces are three types: arc furnace, induction furnace and resistance furnace.
Arc furnace: This type of furnace uses the thermal energy of an electric arc for producing the heat required. It can range form very small units to large furnaces. Unlike the induction furnace, the material is directly exposed to the electric arc. The furnace is built like a vertical brick structure where the arc is produced between two electrodes. The electrodes are charged, the metals are melted and then refined. Once the furnace is heated, the meltdown period starts. The electrodes are moved into the metal scrap. The arc between the electrodes passes through the metal. The metals are refined subsequently by removing the sulphur and phosphorous.
Induction furnace: This type of furnace gets its heat from induction heating of metal. The heat produced is used in melting of metals, particularly, iron, aluminium, steel, copper and other metals. Induction furnaces by electric furnace manufacturers are fast replacing most traditional furnaces because these are seen as the most efficient and environment-friendly. There is con combustion or arc involved and hence, the residue is non-existent. The lack of waste is what makes it a clean furnace. It also offer perfect control of the heating process, preventing loss of valuable metal. We can control the temperature, ensuring that it is increased, kept stable or cooled as needed. Most foundries today are induction furnaces.
Resistance furnace: Of the three furnaces this one is the least used. The resistance furnace use the Joule effect to generated heat. The furnace has heating elements or resistors located on the walls of the chamber. The heat is transmitted to the product. The product is heated through induction and convection. The furnace gets its name from the resistors placed in the furnace walls. The resistors ensure efficient heating as well as compensating for any loss of heat.
These are the furnaces you will find at most electric furnace manufacturers. Pick one that fits your budget and needs.
