Induction skull melting of oxides and glasses in a cold crucible

B. Nacke¹ - M. Kudryash¹ - T. Behrens¹ - B. Niemann¹ - D. Lopukh² - A. Martynov² - S. Chepluk²

¹ Institute for Electrothermal Processes, University of Hannover, Wilhelm-Busch-Str. 4, D-30167 Hannover, Germany
² Department of Electrotechnology, St.-Petersburg Electrotechnical University 5 Prof. Popov str., St.-Petersburg 195376, Russia

Abstract
The paper is devoted to new results of experimental researches, which are obtained by implementing tests at the installations with cold crucibles at ETP and ETU. The research results of the induction skull melting technology (ISMT) of zirconium dioxide in a large volume and the ISMT of phosphate (1200\degC) and silicate (1800\degC) glasses with bottom melt casting on the installation at ETU are presented. The ISMT feature with the use of a transistor power supply and oxide melting in a cold crucible, the influence of the melt height, inductor and some glass properties on the conditions of bottom melt casting are discussed. The power characteristics from melting experiments and work conditions of the casting device are analyzed. Tables 4, Figs 6, Refs 3.