This article describes the differences between intermediate frequency furnaces and electric arc furnaces in various aspects.
Keywords: intermediate frequency furnace; electric arc furnace
Intermediate frequency furnace
Applicable Range of Raw Materials
Refining capacity of induction furnace is limited, the process flexibility is small, and the quality requirements of smelting raw materials are relatively high. The applicable smelting raw materials are usually: scrap iron, scrap steel, sponge iron (pressed into chunks).
Place of application
The magnetic field of the intermediate frequency furnace has a magnetic stirring effect on the molten metal, which is beneficial to the uniformity of composition and scum. Intermediate frequency furnace installation and operation is very convenient, can be easily replaced with different weights, different materials, different starting modes of the furnace, in order to meet various melting requirements. Intermediate frequency furnace is suitable for various metal smelting and casting processes. Compared with electric arc furnace, IF furnace cost is lower, suitable for small and medium enterprises.
Removal of Phosphorus,Sulfur and Deoxygenation
If induction furnace is cold slag, slag temperature is maintained by liquid steel heat, so the removal of phosphorus, sulfur and deoxidation capacity of IF furnace is lower than that of EAF.
Content of Nitrogen
The nitrogen content of the alloy smelted by the induction furnace is lower than that of EAF, the oxygen content is higher than that of EAF, and the fast life value of the alloy is higher than that of EAF.
Increase in Carbon
Induction furnace relies on the principle of induction heating to melt the metal charge, without molten steel carburization. Non – vacuum Induction furnace is suitable for smelting low – carbon high – alloy steel and alloy. Under normal conditions, when smelting high-alloy nickel-chromium steel, the lowest carbon content in Induction furnace smelting is 0.02%, and the carburization in smelting process is 0.01%.
Rate of Combustion
The yield of alloying elements in Induction furnace is higher than that in electric arc furnace, and the burn rate is lower than that in electric arc furnace. The alloying elements in the return material can be recovered effectively in the Induction furnace, and the loss of alloying elements is less by induction heating.
Data Control
The Induction furnace is more convenient than the electric arc furnace in regulating temperature, refining time, stirring intensity and maintaining constant temperature. It can be carried out at any time.
The rmodynamic and kinetic conditions in smelting process
Because of electromagnetic stirring in induction furnace, the homogenization of liquid steel temperature and composition is promoted, and the motion condition of liquid steel in induction furnace is better than that in electric arc furnace. However, excessive stirring is not conducive to the removal of inclusions and will damage the furnace lining.
Note
nduction furnace uses intermediate frequency electricity. Induction furnace can melt the steel, but the impurities in the steel can not be removed, only slag can be pulled out, but some corresponding elements are basically not lost, can reduce the amount of precious metals added, reduce the cost.Induction furnace has high efficiency and high thermal efficiency, so as to achieve high production efficiency, flexible operation and low energy consumption.
EAF
Applicable Range of Raw Materials
For metal smelting, electric arc furnace process flexibility than other furnaces, the applicable smelting raw materials are usually: scrap iron, scrap steel, sponge iron (granular), pig iron, iron ore.
Place of application
Electric arc furnace is a kind of electric furnace which smelting ore and metal at high temperature by electric arc generated by electrode. For metal smelting, electric arc furnace has greater process flexibility than other steel furnaces, can effectively remove sulfur, phosphorus and other impurities, furnace temperature is easy to control, equipment covers a small area, suitable for smelting high quality alloy steel. Electric arc furnace is large in volume and high in equipment investment, usually more than 3 tons. Therefore, electric arc furnace can only be used by a certain scale of enterprises.
Removal of Phosphorus,Sulfur and Deoxygenation
EAF is hot slag, slag by arc heating, through the slag can complete the dephosphorization and desulfurization tasks, through the slag fully diffusion deoxidation. Therefore, the removal
capacity of phosphorus, sulfur and deoxidation of EAF is better than that of induction furnace.
Content of Nitrogen
The nitrogen content in the steel smelted by EAF is higher than that in induction furnace because the nitrogen molecules in the air in the high temperature area of electric arc are ionized into atoms and then absorbed by the liquid steel.
Increase in Carbon
Arc furnace is the use of graphite electrode through the arc produced by high temperature
smelting ore and metal, molten steel will be carburized after melting. Under normal conditions, when smelting high-alloy nickel- chromium steel, the lowest carbon content of arc furnace smelting is 0.06%, and the carburization in smelting process is 0.02%.
Rate of Combustion
The element volatilization and oxidation loss are great at high temperature of electric arc furnace. The alloying elements in the return material loaded with the furnace are first oxidized into the slag, and then reduced back to the liquid steel from the slag, so the burning rate of alloying elements in the arc furnace is higher than that in the Induction furnace.
Data Control
Compared with Induction furnace, electric arc furnace is not convenient to control process
parameters in smelting engineering.
The rmodynamic and kinetic conditions in smelting process
Although electric arc furnace is also equipped with low frequency electromagnetic agitator, the effect is still inferior to induction furnace.
Note
Electric arc furnace uses power frequency electricity. Electric arc furnace can burn all the impurities and precious metals in the raw materials, and then add various elements as required. The quality of the steel produced will be very good because of the coordinated proportion of the elements, but the process is complex. Higher mechanical costs, need to support refining furnace and oxygen stations and other equipment, so the overall cost is higher. Electric arc furnace has low thermal efficiency, low productivity, heavy operation and high energy consumption.