ladlefurner

A ladlefurner is a type of furnace used in metallurgy for secondary refining of molten metal. It is a vessel into which molten metal is tapped from a primary melting furnace, such as a basic oxygen furnace or an electric arc furnace. The ladlefurner is equipped with various mechanisms for adjusting the temperature and composition of the metal. These can include induction stirring, gas injection, and the addition of alloying elements or fluxes. The primary purpose of a ladlefurner is to achieve precise control over the final properties of the metal, such as its purity, chemical composition, and temperature, before it is cast into ingots or shapes. This secondary refining process is crucial for producing high-quality steels and other alloys for demanding applications. The ladlefurner allows for more homogeneous mixing and removal of impurities like sulfur and dissolved gases, which are difficult to eliminate in primary melting. Different types of ladlefurners exist, including ladle metallurgy furnaces (LMFs) that use electric arcs for heating and ladle refining furnaces (LRFs) which may rely on induction or chemical reactions. The specific design and features of a ladlefurner are tailored to the particular metal being processed and the desired final specifications.