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Experiences in Operation of Various Electric-Arc Furnaces Under

Experiences in Operation of Various Electric-Arc Furnaces Under

103

Mintek,

Mintek

Mintek

for development

ferro operation

To metallurgy

submerged-arc

patented

remains

world

ferro- collaboration

(Minstral) furnaces alloys.

The

to

ferro-alloy

setpoint current derivations optimising

especially

factor current

Mintek

which

an in

a for factors,

reduction)

composition n any and

Power

Mintek

important

certain

a

order

more

optimum

Experiences

each

this

-

concept

total

alloy

-

wide

played

it

control

has

set

has

has

has

P

the

producing

operation

day

pre-processing

than

operates to

and

paradigm

plays

/

predominantly

of

range

Bag

points performed

aspect

,

been thereof.

resistance

furnace

production.

to

developed

studied

establish

'

important

and

of production

resistance.

predominant

of

production,

furnaces studied

with

on

ABSTRACT

the

Mintek

DC

30

an

furnaces

has

impedance

resistance

X3015,

raw

over

involved

.

of

submerged-arc

.

important

an

years

-

of

Arc

submerged-arc

the

depends

become

A.

the

The a

performance.

a

shift

in The

materials,

typical

furnace

wide

on

criteria

number

various

important

L.

ferro-alloy

and 50

.

.

furnaces,

has

operation

Randburg,

from

optimal

(pellitization,

control

in

optimisation

the

correct

During

Each

Moolman,

in

control

in

where

including

Through

vessel

implemented

the

range

an

submerged-arc

on

role

the

raw

control,

resistances

research

for optimisation. applied

of

a

increasingly

process

feed

aspects

tra

control

number

resistance

size

materials.

resistance

this

in

processes

furnaces

of

selecting

resistance industry

has

role

used

process

the

furnace

d

This

system

setting

recipe itional

2125,

ferro

close

M.

time

of

lead

and

pre­

and

and

the

and

has

C3

its

of

of

in

of

in

an

of

in

is

various

S.

­

,

South

Rennie, P.

control

through

advanced compensating

Implementations

operation

operations,

utilisation

ferro-chrome fines besides dramatic

Mintek

This resistance

experience

using resistance using Africa,

The

produced

temperatures required means.

furnaces.

transformers

power

furnaces,

more

furnaces

their

input operator large

traditional voltage

resistance

penetration

Mintek

the

voltage

electrical

electric-arc furnaces

2.

RESISTANCE

present

problems

Brereton-Stiles

smaller

furnaces majority

difficult

and

paper

the

has

factors

Tel.

and

measurements.

developed

have

For

improvement

are

the

1.

of

The

measurements

can

of

power

in

in

production

control

with electrode

controller

typically

power. also

INTRODUCTION

available

based in

+27

measurements

optimising

not

with

cousins.

longer

three-phase

economic the

have

to

is

and

will

the

reasons

out

and

do

of

and

for

of

not

extended

operate

on

bigger

11

easily

control

-

feed,

furnace

a

of-step

to

on

and

BASED

maintaining

power

ferroalloys

efficiently

reducing

a

time

709-4111

penetration

.

are

been

examme inherently

high

imbalanced

energy

of

the

simple

Maintaining

based

other

in

current This

are

have

various commercialised

ferro-alloys.

created

to

and

generally

constants, reasons,

electrodes

production

control.

the

production

submerged-arc

percentage

algorithm

solve

that

CONTROL

transformers

built.

.

controller

(differential)

under

resulted

of

applications

task

control

on

concept

conditions

control

processes

with

Mintek's

are

by

the

unstable

electrode

on

some

primary

current,

that

power

These

larger

loads

lower

much

other

these

high

than

in

and

still

and

by

has

the the

of of

of

of

or

a

.

a

0::: 0::: . .

- -

......

..c: ..c:

-

!!! !!!

Q) Q)

I/) I/) Ill Ill

ai ai

c: c:

0 0 (..) (..) E E E E

Figure Figure

FeMnSi FeMnSi Table Table

FeSi FeSi

FeCr FeCr

Process Process

FeCr FeCr the the

Table Table

no no

reasonable reasonable two two

regression regression each each

value value

for for

, ferrochrome,

ferrosilicon ferrosilicon

against against

distinct distinct

resistances resistances different different

operation. operation. When When

furnace furnace

size size needs needs

number number

resistance resistance

always always

process process

furnaces furnaces been been

0.5 0.5

1.5 1.5

2.5 2.5

3.5 3.5

·

Linear Linear

Linear Linear

0 0

2 2

3 3

variance variance

R

R R

ferrochrome ferrochrome

distinct distinct

0 0

+fines +fines

of of

process process

2 2

used used

(as (as

1. 1.

to to

vs vs

1 1

1. 1.

(FeSi) (FeSi)

(FeMnSi) (FeMnSi)

values values

size, size,

the the

one one

Linear Linear

of of

and and

trends. trends.

be be

Typical Typical

is. is.

defined defined

and and

arises arises

processes, processes,

MN MN

power power

linearity. linearity.

Furnace Furnace

on on

equations equations

for for

factors factors

determined determined

10 10

at at

operations. operations.

raw raw

modes modes

The The

of of

plotted plotted

and and

electrode electrode

-silicide ferromanganese-silicide

processes. processes.

for for

-0

-0.015MW -0.015MW -0.021MW -0.021MW

Resistance Resistance -0

a a

looks looks

different different

-

resistance resistance

the the

less less

number number

.024MW .024MW .042MW .042MW

a a

in in

Resistance Resistance

materials materials

is is resistance resistance

production, production,

the the

FeCr, FeCr,

answer answer

power, power,

-

20 20

specific specific

Excel) Excel)

of of

prediction. prediction. . .

for for

-

one one

in in

the the

were were than than

what what

.. ..

results results

at at

- -

--

diameter, diameter,

operation. operation. for for

-

It It

Figure Figure

The The

of of

FeMnSi, FeMnSi,

power power

equation equation

+ +

+ +

sees sees + + type type + +

-

Linear Linear

Linear Linear

was was MW MW

is is

each each

30 30 the the

predictions predictions

depends depends

26 26

-

2.0 2.0

3.8 3.8

calculated calculated

1.2 1.2 0.7, 0.7,

1.7 1.7 different different

operation operation

the the

a a

furnace furnace

question question

are are

was was

and and

there there

measure measure

of of

some some

found found

-

1. 1.

There There (FeCr) (FeCr)

(FeCr (FeCr

individual individual

operating operating

levels levels

type type

given given

showing showing different different

process, process,

The The

FeSi FeSi

40 40

optimal optimal

usually usually

plotted plotted

Linear Linear

0.85 0.85

0.71 0.71

0.70 0.70

0.72 0.72

(no (no

on on

were were

sized sized

very very

that that

and and

that that

and and

and and

are are

for for

R

fines)) fines))

of of

in in

of of

2 2

a a

theoretical theoretical prediction prediction

Table Table Figure Figure

linear linear regression regression

operational operational

ferrosilicon ferrosilicon

predictions predictions against against use use

where where

that that

relationship: relationship:

and and silicon

J. J.

large large range range

can can

selecting selecting where where

For For

operating operating

as as

carrying carrying

could could

graphite relationships relationships developed developed

operation operation the the

, density,

the the

of of

resistance resistance ferroalloy Many Many

3. 3.

Westley

they they

the the

"k" "k"

OFFERROALLOYFURNACES OFFERROALLOYFURNACES

calculate calculate

!his !his

THE THE

good good

Soderberg Soderberg

idea idea

regression regression

of of

I I

be be

2. 2.

I I

years years

number number

power power

2 2

were were

"k" "k"

I= I=

is is factor factor

I= I=

I I

R R

electrode electrode

is is

electrode electrode

oc oc

a a

Although Although

relationship relationship current current

dissipated dissipated

over over

3 3

capacity. capacity.

equations equations DESIGN DESIGN

in in

oc oc

which which

was was

operation operation

gives gives

process. process.

C3 C3

data. data.

ferrosilicon ferrosilicon

at at

that that

55D in in

the the reference reference

relationships relationships

also also

D

with with

factor factor

production production

1/D 1/D

then: then: kA kA

ago ago

resistances resistances

3

that that

P P

and and

kA kA

and and

1

that that

2 2

the the

a a

3

concept concept

electrodes, electrodes,

2

12 12

looked looked

line line

and and

constant constant

1

furnaces, furnaces,

the the

3 3

is is

F

the the

diameters. diameters.

and and

a a presented compare compare

the the range range are are

were were

versus versus . .

would would

approximately: approximately:

neither neither

time. time.

W.M. W.M.

AND AND

V. V.

for for

from from

Thus Thus

P P

differs differs

corresponded corresponded

resistance resistance

regression regression

electrode electrode

as as

D D

is is

to to

furnaces. furnaces.

Andrea

at at

the the

calculated calculated

derived derived

that that

of of

and and

in in

for for

is is

applicable applicable

typical typical

are are

limit limit

OPERATION OPERATION

the the

the the

electrode electrode

plot plot

Andrea Andrea

Kelly2 Kelly2

operation. operation.

the the

we we data data

these these

MW. MW.

the the

little little

in in

in in

each each

the the

powers powers

operation operation

set set

surface surface

linear, linear,

1 1

meters. meters.

C

the the

point, point,

have have

resistance resistance

maximum maximum

plotted plotted

developed developed

particular particular

He He

from from

3 3

periphery periphery

from from

different different

of of

heat heat

One One

line line

different different

called called

nor nor

of of

current current

to to

further further

curves curves

linear linear

found found

power power

today today

for for

of of

can can

the the

one one

two two

the the the the

that that

the the

the the

for for

By By

the the

in in

of of

a a

it it

a a 10· 10· 105

Process Theoretical

Table

C

Figure

Any used

resistances

ferrosilicon level. depends of

characteristics. will

usually price.

The

show

modes modes

conduction on ores

Economic of zone

necessitated

of destabilising

producing

high are individual

..c:

ci

E

E

0

3

-

--

the

-

R

the

a

1 1.3 4.

1.2 1.1

0

0.8

fine

-

.

.

4

and

1

9

of

ferrochromium

operating

·Linear

vs

2.

arcing

OPERATING

to

R

Linear

immediately

15

reductant.

common

that

FeSi

all The resistance

C3

for

2.

Linear

very

these

determined

MW

briquettes

vary

specify

Actual

(R (R-FeSi) the production

electrodes

to each

there

20

Furnace

mode

the

have

actual

and much

CJ)

for

regression

total Resistance

-0.025MW -0.016MW The

predictions very

resistance

use

considerations from

Charcoal,

was

type

cooling

FeSI

25

today.

to

are

the

showed

beneath

on

ore.

choice and

of

arcing.

different

operating

furnace

power,

by high

RESISTANCES

a

generated

at

the

can

increased

of

low

distinct

30

production transformers

totally

a

This

predicted

availability

effect

-

equation

+ +

lines

type

required

process.

resistances

graphs of

that

switch

for

4 MW resistive Unfortunately,

-

the 3.8

Investigations

1.5

using

35

reductant

R Linear

has

and FeSi

theo

resistance 15

on

could

operating

in

electrode.

operating

quantities

and

resistive

to

clearly from

the

power

the

sizing 40

(R

lumpy

had These

FeSi

0.96 R mode 0.97

coal

have

30%

theo)

and

2

that

for

be arc

arc

is

a

a

will Ferrosilicon in

required

to

result, intensity

position

resistance. problem. bed

furnace long electrode through around collapsing,

carbide compounds fluctuations current excessive

resistance

constraints

Because , requires the

resistivity

operating

currents Since

than decreases

control

furnaces. to

Ferromanganse not

grows

balance penetration.

sometimes

penetration.

Ferrochromium

The classic experienced PENETRATION

penetration

seconds,

the

be maintain

5.

and

objective

0.7

conduction

metal

term

the

MAINTAINING solve

the

discussed

and

fluctuations.

is

the

is

can

each minimal

arcs

penetration

on Maintaining

the

for of

and

increases controllers, interaction

But

much

electrodes

example

resistances

(and

silicon

leading

on

decreases

But

essential

electrode

slag

bath

and

changes

all

the

burden,

on

and Arcing the

controllers the

ferromanganese result

present

the their

silicon

resistance to

furnaces

will

is

-silicide

electrode

these

large

subsequently.

the

more

that

to and

this low

reach

silicon

monoxide

resulting

arcing.

production

power

is

to

problems

AND movement.

maintain

penetration

change as

The

in

between

result

power

along

are

on small

can

and control

furnaces), high balance

of will

the

vapour

shown

difficult. in

is production.

through

movement.

for

and

large

the

ELECTRODE

needs

the

control

interaction

POWER

positioned

most

grade.

Thus

not

input.

and porosity

resistivity

require

slag

from

power

with

the

also

growing

changes

need

jets

factor

temperatures

power

the

both

in

conventional

problems

the

in

changes

pressure

results that

within

a

provides really

does

production

manganese

or

Short

almost

the

tunneling the

alone

resistance affect

the

the coke This

electrode

figure

But

electrode

problem.

problems

electrode

furnaces.

INPUT

silicon

of

is

As

carbon

crater

effect in

close

factor

these

some

Even

high

occur

and

and and

the

each low

will the low

the

less

tip

bed

bed

as

the in

all

of

in

a

1.

a

down down

usually usually

other other low low

electrode electrode there there

one one

usually usually

electrodes electrodes

sudden sudden transformer transformer

the the the the

42MV 42MV

point point

2 action action

and and

Suppose Suppose

factor factor

increase increase

required required

silicide silicide

of of fines, fines,

voltage, voltage,

operating operating

and and

constant constant and and

electrode electrode

axis axis

MV MV

required required

milliohm, milliohm,

this this

figure figure

25MW. 25MW.

Suppose Suppose

to to

an an But But

careful careful you you

not not

Moving Moving

.

hundred hundred

experience experience

depending depending

electrode electrode

76 76

protection protection

freeze freeze

should should

furnace. furnace.

resistance resistance

electrode electrode

ferrochromium ferrochromium

A A the the

a a

6. 6.

MV MV

there there

operating operating

and and

problems. problems.

only only

to to

"A "A

D D

A. A.

decreases. decreases.

is is were were

problem problem

of of

and and

changes changes

only only result result

CONTROL CONTROL

ferrosilicon ferrosilicon

1

resistance resistance

respectively. respectively. not not

A. A.

1.47 1.47

the the

are are high" high"

corresponding corresponding . .

The The a a

can can

progressively progressively for for

But But

one one

percent percent

an an

up. up.

resistance, resistance,

a a

current, current,

know know

is is

for for

be be

total total

out out

loss loss

Assuming Assuming

transformer transformer

one one

taken, taken,

will will

resistance resistance

in in

On On

changes changes

on on

to to

a a the the

arcing arcing

The The

electrode electrode

voltage voltage

limited limited

wishes wishes

in in

be be

circuitry circuitry moved. moved.

at at

out out

long long

milliohm. milliohm.

approximate approximate

limit limit

on on

one one

if if

point point

at at

of of

in in

get get

or or

The The

the the

the the

can can

Figure Figure

the the

tapping tapping

different different

moved moved

you you

the the

behave behave

furnace furnace under under

35MW 35MW

resistance resistance

power. power.

options options

before before

one one

point point

one one

electrode electrode

at at

both. both.

too too

before before

on on

characteristics characteristics

IMPLICATIONS IMPLICATIONS current

arcing arcing

and and

result result

in in

to to

with with

calculate calculate

can can

know know

different different

point point

For For

transformer transformer

intersection intersection

distance distance

down

a a

The The

would would

how how

can can

phase, phase,

in in

resistance resistance

operate operate

close close

secondary secondary

3, 3,

as as extreme extreme

to to

A A

and and

the the

without without

reactance reactance If If

the the

and and

be be

Although Although

ferromanganese­

processes. processes.

to to

most most

individually individually

points points

would would are are

that that

, ,

power power

furnace furnace

draw draw

fines the the

is is

conditions, conditions,

far far

its its

A A

resistances resistances

, ,

MV MV

do do

no no

you you

and and

transformers transformers

read read

compensate compensate

furnace furnace to to

have have

in in

a a

which which

resistance. resistance.

drops drops

the the transformer transformer

move move

to to one one

occur, occur,

a a

processes, processes,

production production

happened, happened,

A A

, ,

corrective corrective relatively relatively

the the conditions. conditions.

that that

excess excess

processes processes

only only need need

furnace furnace

curves curves

of of creating creating

move move

A, A,

off off

tap tap

voltages voltages

tripped tripped

without without

change change

voltage voltage

can can

furnace furnace

ratings ratings

of of

against against

power power

of of

several several hearth. hearth.

On On

these these

from from

B, B,

will will

that that

starts starts

from from

it it

to to

the the

the the

the the

pull pull

the the

will will

1.1 1.1

of of

and and

to to

for for

is is

an an

of of

C C be be

at at

If If

is is

~10

~2.

:;::Jo :;::Jo

" "

E E

" "

" "

~ ~ ~20 3: 3:

years years

the the

Different Different

metallurgical metallurgical process process

offer offer

unbalanced unbalanced

differential differential

within within

stage. stage.

processes processes

process, process,

Although Although using using

Figure Figure

processes processes

transformers transformers

15 15

available, available,

power. power.

the the

low" low"

The The

resistance resistance

furnaces furnaces

why why

analysis analysis taken

required required need need

excessive excessive accurate accurate

minimising minimising

transformers. transformers.

the the remain remain

Fortunately, Fortunately,

individual individual

t-----r'7---r~~=r-

.f.------,oC...... ,',.L.-.,L-''<>"---'-<-,.0,.-.\--~~ .f.------,oC...... ,',.L.-.,L-''<>"---'-<-,.0,.-.\--~~ +-----7'-;~---7-

µI:~:==

same same

voltage voltage

the the

operating operating

converse converse

ago. ago.

computer computer

·Maintaining ·Maintaining

5

to to

fine fine

resulting resulting

. .

3. 3.

returns returns

20 20

a a

within within

best best

be be

ferro-alloy ferro-alloy

trends trends

Provided, Provided,

in in

A A

all all

these these

the the

:======~ are are

model model

7. 7. at at

Operating Operating

The The

and and

at at

ore ore

milli-seconds

tap tap

examined,

differential differential

electrical electrical tapping tapping

narrow narrow

on on CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSIONS

unwanted unwanted

25MW. 25MW.

action action

computer computer

can can

production production

Furnace Furnace

point point

short-term short-term

potentially potentially

high high

the the

of of

most most

It It

days

difference difference

control control point point

one one

40 40

the the

all all is is

changers changers that that

in in

to to

Electrode Electrode

of of

this this

limit limit

is is

power power a a

B B

operating operating

can can

a a

. .

the the

normal normal

protection protection

or or

power

possible possible

electrode electrode

processes processes

thus thus

higher higher

were were

particularly particularly

to to

situation situation

large large

increases increases

points points

considerable considerable

moves moves

· ·

band band

the the

more more

-7"'

circuit circuit

;;::_

60 60

currant

before before

is is

be be

secondary secondary

can can

tap tap

solution solution of of

unstable unstable

, ,

----'t--'---\--\--~ ----'t--'---\--\--~

correct correct

tapping tapping

~l;?~f=

possible possible

essential essential

on on

, ,

power power

2.76 2.76

taken. taken.

and and

is is

points points

identified identified

loss. loss.

charge charge

, ,

or or

transformers transformers

kA kA

furnaces furnaces

high high

mohm mohm for for

that that

voltages voltages

three three

perform perform

combinations combinations

80 80

changes, changes,

to to and and

any any

still still

is is

appears appears

limits, limits,

penetration penetration

is is

rapidly rapidly

corrective corrective

the the

different different loss. loss.

To To

that that

until until

point point

modern modern

for for

difficult difficult

at at

circuit circuit

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120 120 106 106 107

power

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traditional techniques. transformers required

compensation.

2.

1

3.

4.

5.

.

sudden

furnace

Ferro-Alloy

Andrea

Transactions,

Kelley

of Carbon

Ferro-alliages, Westly

line

reduction

Electrique, Models Rennie

Conference Power Brereton-Stiles

Charge

Submerged Furnace

(1999)

at

reasons

electrode

These

levels,

much

of

to on

to

the

are

will

Data

and

instability.

.

understand WM. resistance,

8.

the

and

achieve

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measurements

Relating MS.

FV.

J.

and

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changes

Conference

closer

REFERENCES

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(1979),

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69

The

of

to

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the

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power to

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Fe-Si

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optimal

et

the

Electric

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at

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correct

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design

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37

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du

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or

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separate

d'autres

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Electric control

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of

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lesser

AIEE using

itself

most

Four

For

On­

the

are

.

for

in

de

of

of

57

of

of

,