[TheForge] microwave heavy metal session

[Jerry Frost]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andy Vida" <osan@netlabs.net>
To: <theforge@mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2004 11:21 AM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] microwave heavy metal session


>
>
> Grover Richardson wrote:
> >
> > Magnetrons (the ones that I have seen, and that's a bunch) vary between
30
> > and 60% efficiency.  This does not include losses within the power
supply.
>
> In that case, it's no wonder they don't use it.


A purpose built unit would probably operate at or near the 60% end of the
curve.

Compared to sucking up 70%+/- of a given fuel's BTUs by heating the nitrogen
in air added to DIRECTLY heating the interior of a furnace it sounds like a
cash cow to me.

Consider the microwaves DIRECTLY heat only the metal in the crucible.
There's no need for room for combustion nor circulation of hot gasses, the
smaller the "furnace" the better. I'd just wrap the crucible in refractory
blanket and do away with a "furnace" altogether. Sure you'd have to have an
enclosure to keep microwaves in and people out but it'd be nothing like a
furnace.

Injecting oxy for Bessimer steel doesn't happen in the furnace normally, so
that's not an issue.

All in all I think it's probably at least twice as cost effective even
considering the cost of electricity.

Maybe the USA will get back into making steel.

Frosty
------------------------
If it ain't forged
it ain't real.
Wrought iron is.
The FrostWorks

Meadow Lakes, AK.