NEW COPPER WIRE DRAWING PLANT 121 



Batch Type Electric Annealing Furnace 



The operation of electric batch type annealing furnaces and the use of 

 reducing gas atmospheres, with an average composition of about 1^% CO, 

 2% H2 and 14.5% CO2, produced by combusting city gas, are generally 

 known to the wire industry. Certain provisions in the Kearny installation 

 may be of interest. 



Fig. 26— Electric furnace bell, with automatic plugging equipment, being placed over 



covered charge 



Details of the annealing baskets and bases, the steel alloy retorts used 

 to cover and water-seal the charges, and the electric furnace moved from 

 base to base have been designed so that the arms of the six-ton crane grapple 

 can engage, handle and move all these items. 



The electrical connections to the furnace bell are made automatically. 



