How Does A Submerged Arc Furnace Work

author: Alice

2025-02-18

Submerged Arc Furnace (SAF) is a highly efficient electric arc furnace widely used in the production of metals such as ferroalloys, silicon and calcium carbide. As an important part of the manufacturing process, SAFs are able to transform raw materials into high-value metal products.

How Does A Submerged Arc Furnace Work?

The core operating principle of a SAF is to pass an electric current through a conductive material (charge) immersed in a molten bath, causing a chemical reaction at high temperature to produce a specific metal alloy. The molten bath is usually composed of a combination of flux and solid reducing agents.

1. Charging

The operation of a submerged arc furnaces begins with the charging of the charge. Solid raw materials are carefully added to the furnace through a precisely controlled charging system, ensuring controlled and precise addition of materials to maintain the composition of the final product. Raw materials generally include metal oxides, carbon and other additives required for specific alloys.

2. Current Supply

After the charge is added, current is introduced into the furnace, and an arc is formed between the electrode and the charge, generating intense heat. The high temperature of the arc melts the charge and forms a molten pool, which provides a highly conductive medium for the passage of current and ensures efficient energy transmission.

3. Chemical reactions

In the molten pool, a variety of chemical reactions occur, which are crucial to achieving the composition and properties of the final product. Depending on the desired alloy, specific fluxes and reducing agents are used to promote the corresponding reactions.

4. Reaction types

Reactions can be roughly divided into reduction reactions and slag-forming reactions. Reduction reactions form metal alloys by removing oxygen from metal oxides; slag-forming reactions form a slag layer on the top of the molten pool, which helps remove impurities and protects the metal from oxidation.

5. High temperature environment

The temperature inside the submerged arc furnace can reach thousands of degrees Celsius, providing the necessary conditions for the rapid progress of chemical reactions. The intense heat ensures uniform mixing of the molten pool, thereby producing high-quality alloys.

6. Steelmaking process

When the required reaction time is reached, the final product will be removed from the furnace. The steelmaking process requires precise control of the outflow of molten metal and slag. The metal is collected in a ladle or mold, solidified into the desired shape, and then transported to the place of use or continuous casting by a ladle car.

Submerged arc furnaces play a vital role in the production of metals and alloys. By using electric current and high temperature, they efficiently transform raw materials into valuable metal products. A deep understanding of the working principle of submerged arc furnaces can help optimize the manufacturing process and ensure the production of high-quality metal alloys.

If you have any questions or needs about submerged arc furnace, EAF, LF, IF or CCM equipment, please feel free to contact Xi'an Sanrui Electric Furnace. We will provide you with one-stop smelting equipment and solutions.

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