...the coreless crucible induction furnace with its bath movement that can be varied via the specific power and frequency and the resulting stirring effect can be advantageously and systematically exploited here [1]. Due to its greater profitability, the coreless-type furnace carne to replace the channel-type furnace for the recycling of swarf and ever-larger coreless induction furnaces were employed to achieve ever-higher melting capacities.

Since the swarf is normally delivered damp, the commonly practiced recycling of brass swarf requires them to be dried before melting in both the channel-type furnace and the coreless-type furnace. While there is no alternative to this in a channel induction furnace, the coreless induction furnace offers the possibility of charging swarf damp. In this case, however, not only does the coreless furnace proper with the swarf charging system, furnace hood and flue gas dueling have to be included as integral parts of the process but also a process control and automation system geared to the swarf type and the performance capabilities of the individual plant components is necessary. The resulting economic benefits are enormous, since not only can the whole investment, time and energy-intensive drying process be eliminated but the oil adhering to the swarf can be at least partially used for the melting process. Furthermore, with a suitable melting furnace design this process permits continuous process control and hence eliminates the otherwise unavoidable non-productive times. Compared with non-continuous operation, this results not only in a higher productivity and significantly reduced metal burn-off, but also in lower energy consumption and a fully automated melting technology requiring fewer personnel.

After a brief introduction to the overall problem, this article presents concepts and practical results of plants for melting damp swarf in the crucible-type furnace and reports on the initial experience gained with a fully continuously operated furnace plant.

BRASS SWARF AS A RECYCLING CHARGE MATERIAL

Brass swarf is created in large quantities during further mechanical processing of brass blanks to form intermediates. This results in a need for internal recycling, particularly in the intermediates production plants. But since swarf is also offered as an inexpensive raw material and frequently has to be taken back from external finishers of the intermediates, the efficient processing of...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



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