Which process involves the use of electric arcs to melt iron?

The electric arc process is designed to melt iron by using electric arcs, which are generated by passing electricity through electrodes. This method involves creating a high-temperature arc between carbon electrodes and the metal, leading to effective melting. The electric arcs reach temperatures that can adequately melt iron more efficiently than other methods.

This process is often utilized in steel production, where the controlled environment allows for precise temperature management and the ability to add materials for specific properties in the final product. The electric arc process is distinct in its use of electricity rather than combustion to achieve the necessary heat, making it a key method in the metallurgy of iron and steel.

In contrast, other processes like the basic oxygen process involve blowing oxygen through molten iron to reduce carbon content but do not utilize electric arcs. The open hearth process and converter process also differ in their methods and objectives, focusing instead on the chemical reactions during melting and refining rather than the electric arc directly.