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Metalwork - Materials - Electric Arc Furnace
The Electric Arc Furnace is heated by electricity, similar
to Arc Welding, and so large amounts of electricity are
needed. Because of this Electric Arc Furnaces are usually
found close to cheap sources of electricity, such as a
Hydroelectric Plant.
Parts of the Electric Arc Furnace
Carbon Electrodes
The Carbon Electrodes provide the current for the process.
They are totally removable in an upward direction to allow the
top of the Furnace to be removed.
Tapping Spout
The Tapping Spout is used at the end of the process to
allow the Molten Steel to be poured from the Furnace. During
the process it is sealed to keep the heat in.
Charge of Scrap Metal
The charge consists solely of scrap Steel and Iron.
Inspection Door
The Inspection Door has two purposes. Firstly, during the
process of refining the Steel the Inspection Door is used to
allow workers gain access to the Steel so that they can take
samples in order to see if the Steel is of the appropriate
grade. The second purpose of the Inspection Door is to allow
the removal of the Slag at the end of the process
The Electric Arc Process
As with the Basic Oxygen Process there are 4 steps in the
production of Steel through this method. They are shown below.
Charging
 The charge consists solely of scrap Steel and Iron.
The top of the Furnace swivels to the side to allow the
charge to be entered. The top of the Furnace is then put
back in place and the Electrodes are lowered close to
the surface of the metal, and the electric current is
allowed to pass through.
Melting
 The heat from the Electrodes melts the scrap. To get
rid of the impurities and to affect the composition of
the Steel, Iron Oxide, Lime and Flurospar are added as
deemed necessary. During the Refining Process samples
are taken of the metal at regular intervals to test the
composition.
Slagging
 The Slag is removed either by raking the surface of
the molten metal, or by tilting the Furnace in order to
pour the Slag off.
Tapping
 The molten Steel is then poured out of the Furnace by
tilting the Furnace in the opposite direction to that
for Slagging.
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