OPEN ARC FURNACE FOR THERMALLY REDUCING CARBON IN METAL OXIDE

摘要

PURPOSE: To obtain a two-stage open-arc furnace for carbothermic reduction of metal silicon, by using hollow crystallized silicon carbide beams as refractory in areas of an open-arc furnace which require high-temperature and chemical stability and electrical resistance. CONSTITUTION: A two-stage arc furnace is surrounded by a steel plate 1, and is composed of a first-stage furnace body 8 at the lower part thereof and a second-stage shaft 7 at the upper part thereof. An assembly 4 that is an energy source enters the first-stage furnace body 8 at the end portion thereof opposite to the shaft 7 through a stainless steel water-cooled panel 5. The water-cooled panel 5 is supported by a chrome-alumina tray 17. Hollow silicon carbide refractory beams 16 contact with the tray 17 to insulate the energy source 4 from highly electrically conductive materials. A silicon carbide beam 6 is used in areas of the furnace which are exposed to temperatures higher than those tolerated by standard refractories, the areas requiring chemical stability to oxidation and reduction type reactions and sufficient electric resistance to minimize arcing from the exposed electrode.