Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) is a very important electric furnace in industrial equipment and plays a vital role in the field of metal (especially steel) production.
The equipment efficiently melts the raw materials immersed in the liquid metal bath through the heat released by the electric arc. Compared with the traditional electric arc furnace, the submerged electric arc furnace process has become the preferred solution in the steel smelting industry due to its multiple advantages.
Principle of Submerged Arc Furnace
The core structure of the submersible arc furnace is a container lined with refractory materials, which is mostly cylindrical in shape. The furnace is filled with conductive liquid, which is usually a mixture of molten metal and slag, which together serve as a conductive medium between the graphite electrode and the power supply. The electrode is inserted vertically from the top of the furnace to provide the heat energy required for melting by generating an electric arc.
Composition of Submerged Electric Arc Furnace
SAF smelting furnace is mainly composed of furnace shell, furnace cover, furnace lining, short net system, water cooling system, smoke exhaust system, dust removal system, electrode shell, electrode holder, electrode pressing and lifting system, loading and unloading system, gripper, burn-through device, hydraulic system, cooling water system, iron casting system, submerged arc furnaces transformer and high-voltage control and protection system, low-voltage control and protection system, computer operating system, water-cooled cable, etc. Other accessories, dust removal, cooling tower system, etc. can be provided as needed.
Main Uses of Submerged Arc Furnace
SAF is mainly used to produce ferroalloys (such as tungsten iron, high carbon ferromanganese, high carbon ferrosilicon, high carbon ferrochrome, nickel-iron alloy) and industrial silicon, calcium carbide, corundum, yellow phosphorus, etc. Its an important industrial raw material and chemical raw material such as calcium carbide in the metallurgical industry.
Submerged arc furnaces is used in steel, non-metallic and other industries, and plays an important role in the ore heating and smelting process in mineral mining, beneficiation and smelting in the metallurgical and chemical fields.
Advantages of SAF
Energy efficiency: A significant advantage of the submersible arc furnace is its excellent energy efficiency. Compared with other types of furnaces, it uses liquid metal or slag as a natural insulation layer, effectively reducing heat loss. This feature not only improves energy efficiency, but also significantly reduces the overall operating cost of the furnace.
Wide adaptability of raw materials: Submerged arc furnaces show extremely high raw material processing capabilities and can accept various types of scrap metals, covering ferrous and non-ferrous materials. Its design allows the processing of materials of different sizes and shapes, showing a wide range of raw material adaptability, providing steel producers with the flexibility to optimize resource allocation and production processes.
Precise process control: Submerged arc furnaces provides a stable environment for chemical reactions through a liquid bath, ensuring consistent quality and composition of the final product. In addition, the bath also acts as a heat dissipator, effectively preventing drastic temperature fluctuations and achieving high-precision temperature control. This is essential for producing high-quality steel that meets specific performance requirements and strict industry standards.
High space utilization: Compared with other furnaces, SAF melting furnace occupy a smaller area and are very suitable for new projects or renovation and upgrading of existing facilities. Its compact design optimizes space utilization, which is particularly important for urban industrial areas with limited land resources.
In summary, the electric arc furnace occupies an important position in steel production with its high efficiency and versatility. Through energy saving, precise process control and wide raw material adaptability, submerged arc furnace smelting furnace has become the preferred equipment for many steel producers seeking to improve productivity, sustainability and product quality. Despite the complexity of initial investment and maintenance, its comprehensive benefits still make it an indispensable part of the industry.
