During operation, closely monitor the furnace condition: measure the furnace bottom every three days and inspect the furnace walls daily to ensure the integrity of the furnace lining. Perform regular maintenance on the electric furnace equipment-such as frequently purging and cleaning debris from the induction coil-to prevent coil breakdown. During the melting process, avoid prolonged high-temperature operation; generally, the tapping temperature should be controlled between 1490°C and 1520°C to minimize erosion of the lining by the molten iron and extend its service life.
Management of Furnace Shutdown and Restart
When a prolonged shutdown is required (e.g., due to equipment failure), empty the molten iron from the furnace to prevent the lining from cracking due to the contraction of solidifying iron. During the cooling process, allow the empty furnace to cool down; to prevent cracking caused by excessive temperature gradients between the top and bottom of the lining, keep the furnace lid closed to ensure uniform cooling. When restarting a cold furnace, perform low-temperature preheating before commencing the melting process; this allows any existing cracks to seal, preventing molten iron from seeping into the cracks and causing them to propagate further.
Water Cooling System Maintenance
Induction heating furnaces place high demands on their circulating water cooling systems. A sudden loss of water flow-caused by power outages, pump failures, or other issues-can lead to severe equipment damage, such as the burnout of the induction coil. Consider installing an emergency water cooling system as a protective measure.