Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF)
Ferroalloys and silicon metal are produced in electric arc furnaces that are specially designed for smelting purposes. These furnaces are referred to as Submerged Arc Furnaces (SAF’s). In the SAF electric power heats the raw materials and provides the energy needed to smelt the ore to a metallic state. These furnaces are termed submerged arc since the electrodes are buried deep in the furnace burden and the reduction takes place near the tip of the electrode. These processes produce copious amounts of heat and fume that must be captured before escaping to the atmosphere.
The environmental regulatory agencies in most countries strictly regulate emissions from these operations.