Abstract
The use of electricity to provide energy for pyrometallurgy processes began in the 19th century and was originally applied primarily to the production of steel, phosphorous and calcium carbide. Since that time there have been significant innovation from new electric furnace processes developed in the mid 20th century, followed by significant increases in productivity through the late 20 the century into the 21st century enabled by leaps in process, equipment and automation technology. We are now poised at the new era of rapid innovation driven by climate change. This paper will chart the course of furnace technology development and examine how the knowledge developed over more than a century is regaining new relevance in tackling current challenges, not only in the decarbonization of metals processing and production of battery metals but also in the production of clean energy.