This depends on power and configuration. Rapid melting is possible because of the clean atmosphere and very enhanced heat transfer coefficient to the melt. Once again please see the web site for details.

2. Would like to know something about the control systems, to melt to pre-set amounts of superheat of the melt.

SCR based control systems. Several models available which offer control of energy through power or temperature settings.

3. How does the furnace prevent Al nitride- how do you prevent the interaction?

Temperature is not hot enough for aluminum nitride formation. We have not noticed any nitride formation in the melt or on crucible walls.

4. What is the cost of the furnace?

Per kilowatt it is in the same range of electrical furnaces. We can discuss for specific installations. You can also purchase the plasma generator and retrofit an existing furnace.

5. Space limitation, how big can it be scaled up?

This is one of the lowest foot-print furnaces.

6. If scaled up do you use longer arms or more arms on the furnace?

What you are referring to arms are the Plasma Airtorches™. Yes with higher melt you will require more Airtorches™. Several kW plasma generator models are available.

7. How does the Al react and behave in the furnace?

Clean and not turbulent at all. Very low dross.

8. Questions about the induction melting numbers, they seem too low.

Please see full details on Aluminum Melting Furnace.

9 . Clarify the “low-ionization term”, what does it mean?

Good Question. A technical article is posted on the site. Patents are under issue.

10. What are the power requirements, voltage amp etc?

Again please see site for energy required to melt one pound of aluminum and other details.

11. What control system is used?

Same as question 2 above.

12. What kind of seal is required?

No seals. Open to air.

13. How do you introduce the scrap into the unit?

Scrap is gravity fed. Other ways of introducing the scrap with a conveyor or screw will be possible. We recommend that you construct the furnace you need and simply add the plasma generator.

14. How do you seal the chamber and prevent intrusion of O2?

No seal required. O2 is present but is blanketed away. (See technical article).

15. Clarify whether scarp is wet/dry/painted/oil and how to deal with each?

All can be used, sometimes with a pre-heater in the conveyor.

16. What kind of metal temp is achieved?

Metal is estimated to be about 50-100°C above the meting point. The temperature can be increased or decreased for particular applications.

17. What do you mean by 'hot zones'?

Space inside the furnace.

18. Scrap size is very important, how much can be in the furnace?

The furnace can be constructed to melt awkward shaped scraps. Furnace just has to be reconfigured as the the shape of the chamber.

19 . Why not a ceramic or graphite felt filter?

The filter material in the two page intro referred to the filter scrap that comes from a sprue which had metal filters. No filters required for normal melting.

20. Why is a steel mesh filter needed, and the chance of iron impurities?

Same as question 19 above. There is no filter in furnace. In the example used for the trials the sprue contained a metallic filter.

21. Where does the O2 go or consumed?

No oxidation. It is blanketed out by ions.

22. What is the largest furnace been made to?

35kW. We do not see size limitations but at present a larger prototype has not been built for this. We see up to 500kW being quite straightforward. Adding a plasma generator to your existing furnace is also a possibility you should consider.

23. Do you lose advantages when you scale up?

Larger furnaces give larger productivity advantage (see benefits). We do not anticipate loss of efficiency or more energy consumption per pound but do anticipate cost will come down.

24. When tap furnace, use tap hole to plug drain.

Furnace can be run continuously or as a pit. These are different configurations both possible. Fan blown. Very gentle. No sound.

25. What is the furnace lined with?

Alumina refractory made by Mattech Corporation.

26. What is the affluent seal or is there one, is it completely sealed, vent for gasses?

No Seal.

27. Does it work with solid Al?

You mean can it be used for heat treating. The answer is yes.

28. What is the energy consumption (overall, including any necessary heat-up, holding time, etc), capital cost of equipment?

Please see the Melt Rates table.

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