Last but certainly not least, electric solutions for tundish preheating are better for the operators and the overall working environment.
“Gas burners are notorious for being hot, noisy and polluting,” Tanguy says. “They also run the risk of emitting harmful nitrous oxides or even poisonous carbon monoxide gas. Kanthal’s electric solutions not only improve the bottom line of the business, but they are also quiet, safe and clean – making them a better solution all round.”
Five major benefits of electric tundish preheating
Electric tundish preheating is cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable, without compromising on power. Here are five key reasons to switch from gas to electric tundish preheating.
Zero emissions
For companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint, converting to electric is a no-brainer. Kanthal’s high-temperature heating products for tundish preheating produce zero carbon emissions, provided the electricity is generated from a renewable energy source. When using electricity from a fossil-based power plant, the enhanced efficiency of an electric heater can still produce fewer carbon emissions overall.
Thermal efficiency of up to 95 percent
Whereas gas heaters allow significant amounts of energy to escape into the ambient air, an electric heater focuses the power where it needs to be. The average net efficiency of an electric tundish preheating system is up to 95 percent, compared with only 20 percent for a gas heater. This can result in an energy saving of up to 70 percent when converting from gas to electric.
Enhanced working environment
An electric tundish heater contributes to a safer, cleaner working environment. Whereas gas burners are noisy and polluting, electric solutions are quiet, safe and clean. Besides eliminating the obvious safety risks posed by gas in the working environment, electric heaters produce no excess heat, harmful nitrous oxides or poisonous carbon monoxide.
Precise temperature control
While gas heaters are not able to measure temperature, electric systems are equipped with thermal controls that enable a measurable, uniform heating process. Kanthal’s high-temperature heating products for tundish preheating have been proven to deliver good ramp rates, getting the tundish up to the required temperature in the right time.
Energy-efficient heating, regardless of the temperature
Kanthal’s electric heating products deliver energy-efficient solutions for preheating tundishes, irrespective of the temperature requirement. Kanthal’s solutions are all specially designed for individual customer needs and have proven to be effective for tundish temperatures up to 1,500 degrees Celsius (2,730 degrees Fahrenheit).