Authors: T. Ma, J. Sarvinis, N. Voermann, B. Wasmund
35th Annual Conference of Metallurgists of the Metallurgical Society of CIM - Challenges in Process Intensification Symposium; Montreal, Canada; August
1996
Abstract
Problems associated with the smelting of ferronickel ore fines in conventional shielded arc AC
furnaces lead to decreased power and production levels, decreased efficiency and
environmental control complications. For these reasons, the smelting of ore fines separately in a
DC furnace is an attractive alternative. Hatch Associates Ltd. is currently developing novel
techniques to improve the operability and performance of DC furnaces. Concepts include a new
conductive bottom design and a unique method for applying adjustable pressure to circular
furnace refractories. Hatch has implemented these features in a 350 kW prototype DC
ferronickel furnace. This paper describes the main considerations in the design of the prototype
furnace hearth, refractory and binding system, the advantages of the design over traditional DC
furnaces and the performance of the prototype furnace during testing.
