Cupolas minimize the energy required to melt ferrous alloys

Conference · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5952097

Draper, A B

Historically the cupola has been the most effective furnace for melting cast irons. Although its supremacy was challenged by electric melting furnaces in the 1960's, persisting energy scarcity and high cost have encouraged a resurgence of interest in cupola technology. Using the optimum design features of modern cupolas and the best melting practices, they can achieve melting efficiencies of 45% or more based on the energy value of the original coal. In contrast, electric melting only uses 21% of the energy in coal. Despite these facts, many foundrymen fear that there will be problems because of poor metallurgical control if they use cupolas. Yet experience has proven otherwise. In terms of energy conservation and economy it is better to use large cupolas as scrap melters in the steel industry. Yet there is still a deep rooted prejudice against the cupola plus basic oxygen furnace route to steel making.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Center for Air Environment Studies
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 5952097
• Report Number(s): COO-2840-11; CONF-790803-54; CAES-531-79
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320303* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Equipment & Processes
ALLOYS
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COMBUSTION
DATA
DATA FORMS
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FURNACES
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
IRON ALLOYS
IRON BASE ALLOYS
MELTING
METAL INDUSTRY
NUMERICAL DATA
OPERATION
OXIDATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
PRODUCTION
STEELS
TABLES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES