Furnace Design for Heating Mild Steel Scrap

Try these people http://www.infraredheating.com/infrared_systems.htm

Why infra red?, induction heating is quicker and is also more controllable (especially for smaller components) and uses less energy I am told (provided your energy source is electricity at any rate!)

Andy is Right about Speed of heat Transfer with Induction. Infra Red is good for plastics/food!

But what is your thickness-or Diameter and desired throughput?

Induction at High Frequency heats up the outer skin first. Inside could remain cold(Of course if your throughput is slow--the whole get equally hot through Conduction) . Lower the Induction frequency - the heavier the Equipment-and lesser the heat transfer.

Mind you--Induction will not be cheap. You pay Utility at going(ever rising) rates. And there is the total overall η question.

Resistance Heating using mains power in conduction mode is possible--you pay Utility rates-good for small throughputs. Used in Prestressed Concreting.

So also ELPIT type slowsoaking.

Traditional Fuel burning ones are of course there-

• direct /muffle
• plain/recuperation
• Coal/Coke blacksmith forge-furnaces

And finally the possibility of Air Plasma Torches(instead of Cut-through , heat tangentially with say 3,4,5 arranged over 360•). This has been used to heat Pipe Specials.Here too you pay at Utility Ratesx200%~.

Conducting Current,Induction and Plasma--you can switch these off -even for a Coffee break!

Induction uses less electrical energy than resistive, I prove that every day with cooking!!

I work in a plate rolling shop. On some "tight" (30") , thick (1.5"), pieces we preheat the partially formed cylinders inside a half cylinder (lid) that's lined with kawool insulation and heated with strategically located homemade propane inspiration burners and exhaust vents. Picture an upside down barbecue! A ten foot long cylinder can be brought up to 1K in about 1/2 an hour. "Soak" time is greater with thicker materials. I would recommend flame-safe burners or physical monitoring to prevent explosion.

Luck to ya!