DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AN ELECTRIC-POWERED ALUMINIUM MELTING FURNACE

O. S. Hammed; S. T. Amosun; A. A. Adebesin; D. O. Aikuele; O. P. Kaffo

O. S. Hammed Department of Welding & Fabrication Engineering, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Nigeria
S. T. Amosun Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, Nigeria
A. A. Adebesin Department of Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria.
D. O. Aikuele Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Nigeria.
O. P. Kaffo Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Furnaces are used to heat solid materials to change their shape or properties. Melting furnace is mainly used with non-ferrous metals. This research work developed an electric-powered crucible furnace for the purpose of melting Aluminium scraps. It consists of a 2500W electrical element, metallic plates and pipes, insulating materials and an electric centrifugal blower that helps to circulate the air within the furnace. The furnace is capable of melting aluminum scraps in laboratories and workshops. Experimental run was setup to melt different masses of 2mm thickness of Aluminium scraps. The masses melted are: 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 kg. Tests carried out showed that it required about 20.25 minutes heating up the furnace to the required melting temperature of Aluminium (660.5 ^OC). It also took average of 37.50 minutes to melt 5kg of Aluminium scraps. An efficiency rate of the furnace is estimated to be about 35.25%.