Difference between revisions of "Electric arc furnace"

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(Created page with "{{Stub}} An '''electric arc furnace''' ('''EAF''' for short) or simply '''arc furnace''' is a type of furnace that heats charged material using an electric arc. This type of f...")
 
 
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==Design==
 
==Design==
Arc furnaces consist of a chamber which acts as crucible and two electrodes, usually graphite or glassy carbon. The inferior part of the furnace chamber acts as crucible and it's lined with refractory materials, which act as insulating. The most common type of arc furnace is designed such that the electrodes are inserted inside the furnace through the upper part ("the roof"). The entire furnace can be tilted, which makes easier to pour the melted material through a pour spout. The entire process is regulated through a control panel.
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Arc furnaces consist of a chamber which acts as crucible and two electrodes, usually graphite or glassy [[carbon]]. The inferior part of the furnace chamber acts as crucible and it's lined with refractory materials, which also act as insulating. The most common type of arc furnace is designed such that the electrodes are inserted inside the furnace through the upper part ("the roof"). The entire furnace can be tilted, which makes easier to pour the melted material through a pour spout. The entire process in the furnace is regulated through a small control panel.
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
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==DIY electric arc furnace==
 
==DIY electric arc furnace==
The simplest arc furnace can be made by cutting a refractory brick and using two graphite electrodes hooked to an electric power supply.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTzKIs19eZE</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIlZsuRc9jQ</ref>
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The simplest arc furnace can be made by cutting a refractory brick and using two graphite electrodes hooked to a powerful electric power supply.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTzKIs19eZE</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIlZsuRc9jQ</ref>
  
More complex
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More complex electric arc furnaces can be made from various hardware equipment.
  
 
==Projects==
 
==Projects==
 
*Melt refractory metals
 
*Melt refractory metals
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*Electrolysis of molten salts
 
*Make lava
 
*Make lava
  
 
==Safety==
 
==Safety==
Electric arc furnaces pose electric and burn hazards. Wear proper protection when operating one.
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Electric arc furnaces pose electric and fire hazards. Wear proper protection when operating one.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 15:52, 22 December 2022

An electric arc furnace (EAF for short) or simply arc furnace is a type of furnace that heats charged material using an electric arc. This type of furnace can reach temperatures higher than conventional flame furnaces, even above 3,000 °C.

Design

Arc furnaces consist of a chamber which acts as crucible and two electrodes, usually graphite or glassy carbon. The inferior part of the furnace chamber acts as crucible and it's lined with refractory materials, which also act as insulating. The most common type of arc furnace is designed such that the electrodes are inserted inside the furnace through the upper part ("the roof"). The entire furnace can be tilted, which makes easier to pour the melted material through a pour spout. The entire process in the furnace is regulated through a small control panel.

Availability

Mini electric arc furnaces can sometimes be found online, but they're not cheap.

DIY electric arc furnace

The simplest arc furnace can be made by cutting a refractory brick and using two graphite electrodes hooked to a powerful electric power supply.[1][2]

More complex electric arc furnaces can be made from various hardware equipment.

Projects

  • Melt refractory metals
  • Electrolysis of molten salts
  • Make lava

Safety

Electric arc furnaces pose electric and fire hazards. Wear proper protection when operating one.

References

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTzKIs19eZE
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIlZsuRc9jQ

Relevant Sciencemadness threads