Browsing by Keyword "Furnace"
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Item New developments in hybrid use of induction and plasma heating technologies for melting and holding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys(World Foundry Organization, 2014) Eguizabal, D.; Cobos, L.; Iparraguirre, J. A.; Rodriguez, P.; Arocena, I.; CIRMETAL; Tecnalia Research & InnovationIn the following decade Europe will invest huge efforts to save energy and resources in energy intensive industrial processes. Foundry industry is one of the most energy intensive industries in the world and reducing this energy usage is a primary goal for the sector. The metal casting industry is heavily dependent on natural gas and electricity, and growing interest in energy efficiency has been driven by the impacts of energy cost volatility. Over the years, the foundry industry has been looking for an energy efficient rapid melting furnace with reduced losses from oxidation and contamination. The employ of hybrid heating technologies for foundry industry processes should be seen as one of the most innovative and efficient alternatives of the last years in the sector. This Research has the objective of assess the effect of hybridizing induction and plasma heating technologies in energy consumption for melting and holding ferrous and non-ferrous alloys. Tests have been carried out in a 125 litres capacity prototype using a plasma torch of 200 kW and an induction coil of 300 kW as maximum heating power. The materials used at these trials are commonly used at Aluminium and Cast Iron foundry industry, and the use of low-cost scraps has been specifically tested too. The main objective of the tests has been to measure the global energy consumption of melting and holding at casting temperature industrial alloys. An additional effect of the use of induction-plasma heating consists in increased melting rate. According to the methods presented, the energy supplied to the induction furnace and plasma device as well as melting duration counted from switching on the induction and plasma to overheating of the liquid metal to casting temperature was measured. It was found in next to industrial conditions that induction-plasma melting rate was significantly higher as compared to the single induction melting process. In the same way, the energy consumption is lower. The research carried out under these next to industrial conditions (1 ton of steel capacity furnace) has shown that the use of plasma torch in hybrid heating system with an induction furnace is effective, improves energetic indices of the melting process and increases the output of the induction furnace.Item Rapid simulation models for aluminium furnaces design(2017-07-04) Anglada, Eva; Vicario, Iban; de Landia, Leonor; Mendizabal, Gorka; Toledo, Nagore; CIRMETAL; PROMETALThe minimisation of energy consumption in aluminium metal casting industries requires an appropriate design of the furnaces to reduce as possible the heat losses through the walls. Detailed simulation models have been developed that allow the in-depth study of furnace behaviour, but these models are too complex and slow for some industrial necessities. To make possible a fast evaluation during preliminary phases more agile models are needed. This agility may be achieved by simplified models, but the results could be affected by a lack of accuracy. The work presented hereafter shows how the steady state analysis of the furnace walls with simplified models of finite elements may give sufficiently accurate and fast results. The simulation models have been validated against experimental results, thus confirming their ability to adequately reproduce the thermal behaviour of the walls of several furnaces regardless of their composition or heating system.