Development in the Electrical Manufacture of Steel.

Progress, Volume II, Issue 8, 1 June 1907, Page 284

Development in the Electrical Manufacture of Steel.

It is reported form Prague that Austrian papers are discussing the introduction of the Kjellin process in the manufacture of steel by the Poldihiitte, at Kladno, Bohemia, in concert with the Oberschlesische Fisen-industrie-Gesellschaft, which process, says the Prague Tagblatt may bring about a complete revolution in the Austrian steel industry. Continuing, the Prague Tagblat says :—: — " That such steps may be leading to vastly important results may easily be realised, when it is considered that the Kjellin process yields an excellent steel, said to be fully equal to the best crucible steel, while the cost of production is considerably lower than with the mode of production so far in use. The Kjellin product, however, apart from its

lower cost, is further praised for its ductility, density, homogeneousness, softness, the possibility of obtaining high degrees of carboniferous quality, and, finally, for its excellent magnetic properties. If these surmises — as appears highly probable— should be proved by facts, all undertakings which have at their disposition the primary requisite for the adaptation of the electric process, viz, , cheap electric power by means of sufficiently strong water power, will secure a great advantage over other works. Chief Engineer Y. Engelhardt, in his work on the Kjellin process, states that it can compete with the SiemensMartin, where the kilowatt hour can be put down at about a farthing. (This fits N.Z. like a glove.)