Types of Induction Furnace for Steel Melting
An induction furnace for steel melting is a device that uses the principle of electromagnetic induction to heat and melt metal. It mainly consists of an induction coil, power supply, and furnace body. The induction coil is driven by the power supply to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field, and the metal is heated and melted under the action of the electromagnetic field.
Types of Induction Furnaces for Steel Melting
Induction furnaces for steel melting mainly include the following types.
Industrial frequency induction furnace: It uses an industrial frequency power supply for smelting. It is mainly used for smelting various cast iron and cast steel, mainly producing castings, with a capacity of 1.0~100t.
Medium frequency induction furnace: uses a silicon-controlled frequency converter or frequency multiplier as the power supply to increase the frequency from 50HZ (60HZ) to 150~4000HZ. It is an important branch of the induction furnace and is mainly used for smelting special steel. The furnace capacity is 0.10~40t.
Vacuum induction furnace: A furnace type that is smelted and poured in a vacuum. The power supply is similar to that of a medium-frequency induction furnace. It is mainly used for smelting special steel and alloys. The furnace capacity is 0.05~60t.
Plasma induction furnace: A furnace type that is smelted in a protective gas and heated by a plasma power supply and a medium frequency induction furnace power supply.
Pressurized induction furnace: Under 0.2~2.0MPa nitrogen pressure, medium frequency induction heating is used in the crucible to smelt and pour high nitrogen steel containing N≥0.60%. The furnace capacity is 0.05~10t.
Each of these induction furnaces has its own characteristics and scope of application. The appropriate furnace type can be selected according to specific needs for steelmaking.
Characteristics of Various Induction Furnaces for Steel Melting
Power Frequency Induction Furnace
Structure
The power frequency induction furnace mainly consists of induction furnaces (two sets, one for smelting and the other for backup), furnace cover, furnace frame, tilting furnace oil cylinder, furnace cover moving opening and closing device, etc.
Advantages
The power frequency melting furnace has the advantages of fast heating speed, energy saving and environmental protection, high melting efficiency, wide application range, and simple operation. It is an efficient and environmentally friendly melting equipment.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of the power frequency induction furnace is that it can only be used for smelting cast iron and cast steel, and cannot be used for steelmaking.
Applications
Mainly used for smelting various cast iron and cast steel, mainly producing castings.
Medium Frequency Induction Furnace
Structure
The medium frequency induction furnace uses a thyristor inverter or frequency multiplier as the power supply to increase the frequency from 50HZ (60HZ) to 150~4000HZ. It is similar to the power frequency induction furnace, but the power frequency is higher. It is mainly used for smelting special steel.
Advantages
Fast heating: Power frequency induction heating is a very fast heating method that can heat up quickly and reach the required temperature in a short time, thereby improving production efficiency.
High efficiency and energy saving: The efficiency of power frequency induction heating is very high, and can reach more than 90%. The efficiency of traditional heating methods can usually only reach about 50%. This high efficiency also means that using a power frequency induction furnace is an energy-saving and environmentally friendly way.
High heating accuracy: Power frequency induction heating can heat local areas to achieve precise temperature control. This is very important for the production of special materials, as different materials require heating at different temperatures.
Simple operation and easy to use: The power frequency induction furnace can heat materials through electromagnetic induction without adding other media, so it is very convenient to use. At the same time, the power frequency induction furnace also has user-friendly functions such as automatic control and digital display, making the operation very simple.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantage of the medium frequency induction furnace is that it can only be used to smelt special steel and its application range is relatively narrow.
Applications
Mainly used for smelting special steel, with a furnace capacity of 0.10~40t.
Vacuum Induction Furnace
Structure
The vacuum induction furnace performs smelting and pouring in a vacuum, and uses a power source similar to that of a medium-frequency induction furnace. Its structure is relatively complex, including a vacuum chamber, power supply system, control system, etc.
Advantages
The advantage of the vacuum induction furnace is that it can be smelted and poured in a vacuum, which can avoid the influence of air on the metal, thereby obtaining purer metal. In addition, it can be used for smelting and pouring refractory metals and alloys.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantages of vacuum induction furnaces are that they are expensive and require professional operators and maintenance personnel. In addition, since the smelting and pouring processes take place in a vacuum, specialized equipment and techniques are required.
Applications
Mainly used for smelting and pouring refractory metals and alloys, with a furnace capacity of 0.05~60t.
Plasma Induction Furnace
Structure
The plasma induction furnace is smelted in a protective gas and is heated by a plasma power supply and a medium-frequency induction furnace power supply. Its structure is relatively complex, including a plasma generator, power supply system, control system, etc.
Advantages
The advantage of the plasma induction furnace is that it can be smelted and poured in a protective gas, which can avoid the influence of air on the metal, thereby obtaining purer metal. In addition, it can be used to smelt and pour high melting point metals and alloys.
Disadvantages
The main disadvantages of plasma induction furnaces are that they are expensive and require professional operators and maintenance personnel. In addition, since the smelting and pouring processes take place in a protective gas, specialized equipment and techniques are required.
Applications
Mainly used for smelting and pouring high melting point metals and alloys.
Pressurized Induction Furnace
Structure
The pressurized induction furnace performs smelting and pouring under 0.2~2.0MPa nitrogen pressure, and uses a medium frequency induction furnace power supply for heating. Its structure is relatively complex, including a booster device, power supply system, control system, etc.
Advantages
Able to smelt and pour in high-pressure environments, producing high-melting-point metals and alloys. High-pressure environments can enhance the density of metals and improve their quality and performance. Chemical reactions can be carried out in the furnace to produce alloys with special properties.
Disadvantages
Pressurized induction furnaces are more expensive and require professional operators and maintenance personnel. Operation and equipment maintenance in high-pressure environments are dangerous. The control requirements for chemical reactions in the furnace are relatively high, requiring precise control of the ratio and addition time of raw materials.
Applications
Production of high melting point metals and alloys, such as high-temperature alloys, titanium alloys, etc. Produce alloys with special properties, such as stainless steel, corrosion-resistant alloys, etc. In the field of scientific research, it is used to study the physical and chemical properties of metals in high-pressure environments.
Summary
In the steel industry, induction furnaces for steel melting are widely used in steelmaking, continuous casting, rolling and other processes. It greatly improves the production efficiency of the factory and reduces the production cost.
