Plant for melting metals and alloys based on iron, light metals and heavy metals. The energy required for melting is generated directly in the furnace.
Depending on the energy source, a distinction is made between electric furnaces (induction melting furnace (Fig. 1), electric arc furnace (Fig. 2), resistance furnace) and fuel-fired furnaces (coke and gas-fired furnaces, rarely oil-fired furnaces). The fuel-fired furnaces include the cupola furnace (Fig. 3, Küttner GmbH), the shaft melting furnace (Fig. 4) and the gas-fired stove and crucible furnace (Fig. 5).