The steel-melting coreless induction furnace

The paper aims at giving a survey of the properties, characteristics, and position, of the electric induction furnace as used for steel-melting. Mathematical considerations are not given full, but sufficient are included to show the extent to which the skin effect is of importance. A 1/4-ton furnace is described, together with some details of the auxiliary apparatus and the usual lay-out in steelworks. The performance of such a furnace is indicated, with typical wattmeter traces of runs; and an attempt is made to show the manner of the energy dissipation, thus affording an insight into the efficiency of induction heating. Finally, some consideration is given to the metallurgical aspect of the furnace, with a description of the Rohn method of making a lining. An extension of the usefulness of the type of melting unit is urged and its potentialities for refining are outlined.