MALAWI UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Induction Furnaces

Group 3
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 Content Outline
➢ Introduction

➢ Advantages & Disad of Induction Furnaces

➢ Types of Induction Furnaces,Features,Construction &

Principle of Operation

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➢ References
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 Induction Furnace
➢ uses induction to heat a metal to its melting point which is based on
the theory of Electro Magnetic Induction.
➢ Depending on their frequency (50 Hz - 250 kHz) these can be
divided to two types:

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1. High Frequency
3. Low Frequency
➢ Used for re-melting of iron & steel (steel scrap), copper, aluminium,
precious metals and alloys.
➢ Modern foundries use this type of furnaces & now more iron
foundries are replacing Cupolas with Induction Furnace to melt cast
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iron as the former emit lots of dust & other pollutants.
 Advantages of Induction Furnace
• It has no electrodes and electric arcs which allow productions of
steel & alloys low in carbon and occluded gases without any
quality problem.

• Low melting losses & alloying elements.

• High power efficiency, therefore, cost-effective.

• Precise control of the operating parameters.

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 Disadvantages of Induction Furnace
• Refining in Induction Furnace is not as intensive or effective as
in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF).

• Life of Refractory lining is low as compared to EAF.

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• Removal of S & P is limited, so selection of charges with less
impurity is required.

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 Types of Induction Furnaces
• Coreless type induction furnace

• Channel or Core type induction furnace

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 Coreless Type Induction Furnace

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 Coreless Type Induction Furnace
• The induction heating power supply sends alternating current through
the induction coil, which generates a magnetic field. Induction
furnaces work on the principle of a transformer.
• An alternative electromagnetic field induces eddy currents in the

metal which converts the electric energy to heat without any physical
contact between the induction coil and the work piece. The furnace
contains a crucible surrounded by a water cooled copper coil.
• The coil is called primary coil to which a high frequency current is
supplied. By induction, secondary current called eddy current are
produced in the crucible
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 Channel Type Induction Furnace

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 Channel Type Induction Furnace continued
• The channel induction furnace consists of a refractory lined steel
shell which contains the molten metal. Attached to the steel shell and
connected by a throat is an induction unit which forms the melting
component of the furnace.
• The induction unit consists of an iron core in the form of a ring
around which a primary induction coil is wound.
• This assembly forms a simple transformer in which the molten metal
loops comprises the secondary components. The heat generated
within the loop causes the metal to circulate into the main well of the
furnace. The circulation of the molten metal effects a useful stirring
action in the melt.
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 Channel Type Induction Furnace continued
One advantage of this type of furnace is that the vessel or upper case can be
built in any practical size & shape to suit the application, but the
disadvantage are like -

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• Power input limitation per inductor.
• Necessity to maintain a liquid heel in the furnace always to avoid problems
related to operational parameters and refractories.

For the above reasons Channel type Induction furnaces are treated as a
receiver or holding vessel for homogenization of liquid metal with limited
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 References
• WWW.5MTR.COM
• http://viewforyou.blogspot.in/2008/10/induction-furnace.html
• Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jha. Lecture – 16, Theory of melting:Types of
Furnaces. Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.
• Paras G. Vegada. Manufacturing Processes II. Institute of
Engineering &Technology,Rajkot.

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 Group 3 Members
1. Amos E. Jere (MET/016/15)
2. Trouble Nkhoma (MET/015/15)
3. Kelvin Posiyano (MET/021/15)
4. Yusuf Ngwali (MET/033/15)

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