The electric steel process takes place in an electric arc furnace, which recycles new steel products mainly from steel scrap. In some cases, the furnace is also fed with sponge iron and molten pig iron.
Electric arc furnaces can be used to produce all types of steel, preferably high-grade structural steels, quality and stainless steels, and stainless steels.
In addition, the non-metallic additives burnt lime, magnesium oxide and also various oxides of alloying materials, as well as reducing agents are added.
The slag layer is formed on the melt from the additives. The slag has the task of binding unwanted components and protecting the steel bath from further oxidation and heat loss.
The arc passes between the carbon electrodes and the molten material and generates temperatures of up to 3500 °C. The slag layer is then removed from the steel bath. At these high temperatures, alloying elements that are difficult to melt, such as tungsten and molybdenum, can also be added.
The arc length is controlled by an electrode regulator.
The heat of fusion of the burning arc is mainly transferred to the melting material by radiation. The pure melting time with arc application is about 30 to 70 minutes.
For tapping the liquid steel into the steel ladle, the arc furnace can be tilted hydraulically.
Shortly before tapping, the slag is drained from the furnace into a slag ladle; for this purpose, the arc furnace is tilted to the other side.
Some emissions are produced in the melting process: For example, gases and dust-containing substances are produced, which are filtered and extracted.
Other emissions include sound emissions, electromagnetic radiation from arc radiation, radio waves from arc ignition processes, and strong alternating magnetic fields due to the high electrode currents.