About 55% of total metalcasting industry energy use by
cost can be attributed to metal melting, including coke-fired cupola furnaces, electric
furnaces (induction, arc, and resistance-heated reverberatory), gas- or oil-fired
reverberatory furnaces, and gas- or oil-fired crucible furnaces. Moldmaking and coremaking
processes consume another 20% of the total, mainly for heating and curing of molds and
cores. Other energy-intensive end-uses include post-cast processing (7%) and heat
treatment of the casting (6%). [Bates 1997] Electricity is used
to power equipment (including mixing equipment for molds and cores) and to heat, light,
and cool facilities.
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