Throughout history, inventions have occurred, often by lucky accident, that has changed an industry or allowed a very difficult process to suddenly become easier, more cost-efficient and move it from small production into mass production.
A good example of this is the development of electric arc furnaces. About a hundred years ago, a chemist in France by the name of Henri Moissan decided to try an experiment using carbon electrodes, a strong electric current, and a contained, insulated case.
By applying a large amount of electrical current through 2 carbon electrodes in the insulated box, he was able to produce an increase in temperature to about 5,000 degrees Celsius. The process could be expanded by increasing the size of the electrodes and the capacity of the insulated “container” to be able to melt previously very challenging materials such as an iron and steel.
Today’s Electric Arc Furnaces and Electrodes
The large-scale electric arc furnaces used in industry steel and iron production are really very similar to the original design first developed by Henri Moissan. They use industry types of carbon electrodes, which are specially designed to provide uniform, consistent electrical current.
The use of carbon is important in the electrode as it has a molecular structure that is able to transfer current without impediment. Carbon itself is also very resistant to damage or degradation by extreme heat, a critical factor in an electric arc furnace. It is also a lower cost material, which means lower production costs during the iron and steel melting process.
These electrodes, despite the resistance of the carbon to destruction by the heat, are consumed during the process. With quality manufacturing process, the need to replace the electrodes will be highly predictable and consistent, which ensures a more streamlined operational process.