Electric furnace installation and electric furnace operation method

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electric furnace apparatus and an electric furnace operation method, and more particularly, to an electric furnace apparatus and an electric furnace operation method for melting a raw material by using an electrode unit capable of self-roasting. An electric furnace apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a main body unit having a processing space for processing a raw material; an electrode unit provided at the main body unit and having an internal space into which an electrode material for self-firing can be inserted; and a detection unit for detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric furnace apparatus and an electric furnace operation method, and more particularly, to an electric furnace apparatus and an electric furnace operation method for melting raw materials using a self-baking electrode portion. Background Art

[0002] Recently, a carbon neutral technology that minimizes carbon dioxide generation has been actively developed to address the climate change crisis. Accordingly, the steel industry is researching and developing a hydrogen reduction steelmaking process technology that uses hydrogen instead of fossil fuels that generate carbon dioxide to produce direct reduced iron, and uses the direct reduced iron to produce iron. When the hydrogen reduction steelmaking process technology is commercialized, not only can it replace blast furnace operations that generate a large amount of carbon dioxide, but it can also replace converter operations by utilizing electric furnace operations.

[0003] An electric furnace apparatus supplies power to an electrode rod and uses heat and an arc generated by the electrode rod to melt raw materials. Pre-baked electrodes can be used as the electrode rod, but in an electric furnace apparatus for melting a large amount of direct reduced iron, a self-baking electrode rod is used, which is used as an electrode by baking an electrode material equal to the amount of the consumed electrode.

[0004] In an electric furnace using a self-baking electrode rod, the level, i.e., the height, of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod is a main factor affecting the quality of electrode baking. When the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod increases, the internal pressure of the electrode rod may increase to cause electrode separation, and when the height of the electrode material decreases, the baked electrode may have internal defects due to the lack of the electrode material. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously measure the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod. Conventionally, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod is directly measured by an operator climbing to the top of the electrode rod using a tape measure. However, this measurement method has the following problems: safety accidents such as electric shock and falling are relatively high, and the power supplied to the facility should be cut off when necessary, and thus the operation rate of the electric furnace apparatus decreases.

[0005] (Prior Art Documents)

[0006] Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 10-2017-0006005. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical Problem

[0008] The present invention provides an electric furnace apparatus and an electric furnace operation method capable of automatically monitoring the height of the electrode material filled in an electrode portion for self-baking.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] An electric furnace device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body portion having a processing space for processing raw materials; an electrode portion installed in the main body portion and having an internal space into which electrode material for self-baking is introduced; and a detection unit for detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion.

[0011] The detection unit may include: a distance measurer for measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion; and a converter for converting the measured distance into the height of the electrode material.

[0012] The detection unit may include a driver for moving the distance measurer in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion.

[0013] The electrode portion may be installed in the main body portion such that a plurality of electrode portions are arranged spaced apart from each other, and the driver may move the distance measurer along the arrangement direction of the plurality of electrode portions.

[0014] The driver may include a crane installed outside the main body portion for introducing the electrode material into the electrode portion.

[0015] The detection unit may include a vibration measurer installed in the electrode portion for measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion.

[0016] A power supply may be installed on the side surface of the electrode portion for heating the electrode material by supplying power to the electrode portion, and the vibration measurer may be installed above and spaced apart from the power supply.

[0017] A plurality of vibration measurers may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the electrode portion, and the detection unit includes a comparator for calculating the height of the electrode material by comparing the vibration amounts measured by the plurality of vibration measurers.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric furnace operation method including the following processes: a process of introducing raw materials into the electric furnace; a process of dissolving the raw materials by supplying power to the electrode portion of the electric furnace; a process of introducing electrode material for self-baking into the electrode portion; and a process of detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion.

[0019] The process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include the following processes: a process of measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion at a reference position having a set height above the electrode portion, and a process of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert the distance into the height of the electrode material.

[0020] During the process of measuring the distance from the electrode material, the distance from the electrode material can be measured at a plurality of positions that can be arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion.

[0021] The process of measuring the distance from the electrode material can be performed while moving the distance measuring device to pass through a plurality of positions.

[0022] The process of detecting the height of the electrode material can include the following processes: the process of measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion at different heights, and the process of calculating the height between the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured as the height of the electrode material.

[0023] During the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material can be detected by using a database that stores the vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material.

[0024] The electric furnace operation method can further include the process of reintroducing the electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material.

[0025] During the process of introducing the electrode material, the block-shaped electrode material can be introduced into the electrode portion, and during the process of reintroducing the electrode material, when the detected height of the electrode material is measured to be less than the reference height, the electrode material can be reintroduced.

[0026] The process of detecting the height of the electrode material can include the process of determining the height of the electrode material by comparing the first height of the electrode material converted from the distance from the electrode material with the second height of the electrode material calculated from the vibration amount of the electrode portion.

[0027] During the process of determining the height of the electrode material, when the difference between the first height and the second height is within the error range, the first height can be determined as the height of the electrode material, and when the difference between the first height and the second height is outside the error range, the second height can be determined as the height of the electrode material.

[0028] During the process of introducing the electrode material, the column-shaped electrode material can be introduced into the central portion of the electrode portion, and during the process of reintroducing the electrode material, when the difference between the height of the electrode material stacked at the central portion of the electrode portion and the height of the electrode material existing in a liquid state at the edge of the electrode portion is measured to be less than the reference height difference, the electrode material is reintroduced.

[0029] The raw material can include direct reduced iron reduced by hydrogen.

[0030] Advantageous Effects

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to automatically detect the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion without the intervention of an operator, thereby preventing safety accidents and increasing the operation rate of the electric furnace equipment to improve productivity.

[0032] In addition, the filling amount of the electrode material can be accurately checked to prevent the separation and internal defects of the electrode, and the baking quality of the electrode can be improved, thereby improving the operation efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an electric furnace equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 is a view illustrating the self-baking state of the electrode material according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 is a view illustrating the state of detecting the height of the electrode material according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 is a view illustrating the change in the vibration amount when the electrode material is filled and when the electrode material is not filled.

[0037] Figure 5 is a view illustrating the state of detecting the height of the electrode material according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is a view schematically illustrating a method of operating an electric furnace equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 7 is a schematic view illustrating a method of operating an electric furnace equipment according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and the embodiments of the present invention are provided only to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the present invention. To describe the present invention in detail, the drawings may be enlarged, and the same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same elements.

[0041] Figure 1 is a view schematically illustrating an electric furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a view illustrating the self-baking state of the electrode material according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Refer toFigure 1 According to an embodiment of the present invention, an electric furnace apparatus includes: a main body portion 100 having a processing space for processing a raw material M; an electrode portion 200 installed in the main body portion 100 and having an internal space into which an electrode material for self-baking can be introduced; and a detection unit for detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 300. Additionally, the electric furnace may further include: a power supply unit 300 connected to the electrode portion 200 to supply power to the electrode portion 200; and a raw material supply unit 500 installed in the main body portion 100 to introduce the raw material M into the processing space.

[0043] The main body portion 100 has a processing space for processing the raw material M. For this purpose, the main body portion 100 may include a furnace body 110 having an opening and a lid 120 covering the opening of the furnace body 110.

[0044] The furnace body 110 may have a cylindrical shape with an open upper portion. For example, the furnace body 110 may have a cylindrical shape, and in this case, the main body portion 110 may have a cylindrical processing space. Alternatively, the furnace body 110 may have a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape, and in this case, the furnace body 110 may have a rectangular cylindrical internal space. Additionally, the furnace body 110 may also have various cylindrical shapes with open upper portions. The furnace body 110 may include an outer wall body 110a made of iron or metal and an inner wall body 110b made of a refractory material located inside the outer wall body.

[0045] The furnace body 110 may be provided with a first outlet 111 and a second outlet 112. The first outlet 111 is capable of discharging the molten material L, and the second outlet 112 is capable of discharging the slag S floating on the upper portion of the molten material L. Each of the first outlet 111 and the second outlet 112 may be provided on the side wall of the furnace body 110 or may be provided on the lower bottom plate of the furnace body 110. For example, as Figure 1 shown, the first outlet 111 may be provided on one side wall of the furnace body 110, and the second outlet 112 may be provided on another side wall of the furnace body 110. Of course, the first outlet 111 and the second outlet 112 are not limited to the above positions but may also be provided at various positions capable of discharging the molten material L and the slag S to the outside.

[0046] Outside the furnace body 110, a container 10a and a container 10b are arranged to accommodate the molten material L and the slag S, respectively. That is, outside the furnace body 110, the first container 10a can be arranged below the first outlet 111, and the second container 10b can be arranged below the second outlet 112. For example, the first container 10a for accommodating the molten material L discharged from the first outlet 111 can be a ladle, and the second container 10b for accommodating the slag S discharged from the second outlet 112 can be a slag pot.

[0047] A cover 120 is installed on the upper part of the furnace body 110 to close the open upper part of the furnace body 110. The cover 120 can be made of, for example, an iron shell or metal. In addition, the cover 120 can be provided with holes through which the electrode part 200 can be installed and holes through which the raw material supply unit 500 can be installed.

[0048] The raw material supply unit 500 is installed in the main body part 100 to introduce the raw material M into the processing space of the main body part 100. Here, the raw material M introduced into the processing space of the main body part 100 can include direct reduced iron (DRI). Here, the direct reduced iron can be at least one of the following: low-grade direct reduced iron manufactured using ore with an iron (Fe) content of less than 65 wt% before reduction and high-grade direct reduced iron manufactured using ore with an iron (Fe) content of 65 wt% or more than 65 wt% before reduction. In addition, the direct reduced iron can be direct reduced iron obtained by direct reduction with hydrogen. Such direct reduced iron can be manufactured by a reduced iron manufacturing device that receives a reducing gas including hydrogen and iron ore to manufacture reduced iron. In addition, the raw material M is not limited to direct reduced iron and can include scrap with an iron (Fe) content higher than that of direct reduced iron. The scrap can be iron scrap with an iron (Fe) content greater than 70 wt%, more preferably iron scrap with an iron (Fe) content between 85 wt% and 99 wt%.

[0049] At the same time, the raw material M introduced into the processing space of the main body part 100 can include a first raw material M1 and a second raw material M2. In this case, the first raw material M1 can include, for example, direct reduced iron, the second raw material M2 can include a reducing agent, and as a more specific example, the second raw material M2 can contain coke. In the processing space of the main body part 100, the first raw material M1 and the second raw material M2 are melted by the heat generated by the electrode part 200, and the first raw material M1 is reduced by the second raw material M2, and thus the molten material L can be produced.

[0050] For this purpose, the raw material supply unit 500 may include: a first hopper 510 in which a first raw material M1 is stored; a second hopper 520 in which a second raw material M2 is stored; and a supplier 530 that is connected to the first hopper 510 and the second hopper 520 to allow the first raw material M1 and the second raw material M2 to be introduced into the processing space of the main body portion 100.

[0051] For example, the supplier 530 may include: a first conveying pipe 531 that is connected to the first hopper 510; a second conveying pipe 532 that is connected to the second hopper 520; and a third conveying pipe 533, one end of which is connected to the first conveying pipe 531 and the second conveying pipe 532, and the other end of which is installed through the cover 120 to be positioned in the internal space of the main body portion 100. Additionally, a valve may be installed in at least one of the first conveying pipe 531, the second conveying pipe 532, and the third conveying pipe 533.

[0052] In the above description, the raw material supply unit 500 is described as including the first hopper 510 and the second hopper 520 by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the present invention may also include a hopper for storing raw materials different from the first raw material M1 and the second raw material M2. Additionally, the raw material M is not limited to being introduced using the raw material supply unit 500 as described above, and may also be directly introduced into the main body portion 100 through an inlet provided in the cover 120.

[0053] The electrode portion 200 is arranged to be partially inserted into the processing space of the main body portion 100 to generate heat. The electrode portion 200 receives electric power to generate heat and supplies the heat to the raw material M loaded into the processing space. Here, the electric power may refer to voltage or current, and the heat generated by the electrode portion 200 may be resistance heat or arc heat. The resistance heat or arc heat generated by the electrode portion 200 melts or dissolves the raw material M, thereby producing a molten material L, such as molten metal, such as molten iron.

[0054] The electrode part 200 may include a plurality of electrode rods spaced apart from each other. For example, the electrode part 200 may include three electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c. The three electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c may be arranged in a triangular shape so as to surround the center of the main body part 100, and the distances between the electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c may be the same. The three electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c may be arranged to vertically pass through the cover 110 covering the furnace body 120 having a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the electrode part 200 may include six electrode rods arranged in a row. The six electrode rods may be spaced apart from each other at the same interval so as to vertically pass through the cover 110 covering the furnace body 120 having a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0055] Meanwhile, the electric furnace device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lifting part (not shown) capable of moving a plurality of electrode rods in the vertical direction. The lifting part may be configured to move the plurality of electrode rods as a whole in the vertical direction, or may be configured to move each of the electrode rods in the vertical direction. The lifting part may adjust the distance between the lower end portion of the electrode rod and the raw material M or the slag S in the internal space. When the electrode rod is immersed in the slag S generated during the dissolution of the raw material M by the lifting part, since the slag S may generate resistance heat, and when the electrode rod is separated from the raw material M or the slag S by the lifting part, arc heat may be generated between the electrode rod and the raw material M or the slag S. Generally, the electrode rod is immersed in the slag S to generate resistance heat to dissolve the raw material M, and arc heat may be selectively generated only when necessary.

[0056] The power supply unit 300 is connected to the electrode part 200 to supply power to the electrode part 200. The power supply unit 300 may be provided as a plurality of units so as to be respectively connected to a plurality of electrode rods, or may be connected to the plurality of electrode rods one-to-one. The power supply unit 300 may supply power to the electrode part 200 through a power supply line.

[0057] Hereinafter, Figure 2 the electrode part 200 will be described in more detail. Here, as described above, the electrode part 200 may include a plurality of electrode rods arranged in a spaced-apart manner, and the plurality of electrode rods may be provided in the same configuration and shape. Therefore, hereinafter, one electrode rod will be described as an example, and for convenience of description, in the drawings, one electrode rod will be described by the reference numeral 200 of the electrode part.

[0058] The electrode part 200 may include a housing 210 having an internal space and an electrode 220. The electrode 220 is formed such that a part of the electrode 220 is inserted into the housing 210, and the remaining part of the electrode 220 protrudes outside the housing 210 to generate heat by receiving power. Additionally, the electrode part 200 may further include a power supply 230, which is installed in the housing 210 to connect to a power supply line and supply power to the housing 210.

[0059] A part of the electrode part 200 is disposed inside the main body part 100, i.e., in the processing space, and another part of the electrode part 200 is disposed outside the main body part 100, i.e., outside the processing space. That is to say, the electrode part 200 may be installed such that a part of the electrode part 200 passes through the cover 120 in the vertical direction and is positioned inside the furnace body 110. Therefore, a part of the electrode part 200 is positioned below the cover 120 and accommodated in the furnace body 110, and another part of the electrode part 200 protrudes above the cover 120 and is positioned outside the furnace body 110. Additionally, the height of the electrode part 200 may be adjusted such that the lower part of the electrode part 200 is immersed in the slag S floating on the upper part of the molten material L, or buried in the raw material M piled on the upper part of the slag S.

[0060] The housing 210 may have a cylindrical shape to form an internal space. That is to say, the housing 210 may have a tubular shape, wherein the internal space extends in the vertical direction and is open at the top and bottom. The shape of the housing 210 is not particularly limited, but may have, for example, a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section. The housing 210 may be made of metal.

[0061] As described above, a part of the electrode rod 200 is installed such that a part of the electrode rod 200 is positioned inside the furnace body 110, and the remaining part of the electrode rod 200 is disposed outside the furnace body 110. For this purpose, the housing 210 is installed by passing vertically through the cover 120 such that a part of the housing 210 can be positioned inside the furnace body 110, and the remaining part of the housing 210 can be positioned outside the furnace body 110.

[0062] The power supply 230 may transmit the power supplied by the power supply unit 300 to the housing 210. The power supply 230 may be installed outside the housing 210, i.e., on the outer circumferential surface of the housing 210. The power supply 230 may be made of various conductors capable of transmitting power, and may be made of, for example, a material containing copper (Cu).

[0063] A part of the electrode 220 is connected to the housing 210 so as to protrude to the outside of the lower side portion of the housing 210. That is, the electrode 220 is connected such that a part of the electrode 220 is positioned inside the housing 210, and the remaining part of the electrode 220 protrudes to the outside of the housing 210. Such an electrode 220 can be made of a material containing carbon (C), and when power is supplied to the electrode 220 through the housing 210, resistive heat can be generated. In addition, in this case, an arc can be generated around the electrode 220.

[0064] Such an electrode 220 is a self-baking electrode made by subjecting the electrode material introduced into the internal space of the housing 210 to self-baking. That is, the electrode 220 is not installed in the housing 210 in a baked state, but is prepared by introducing the electrode material for forming the electrode 220 into the housing 210 and baking the introduced electrode material by heating.

[0065] When the power supplied to the housing 210 is delivered to the electrode 220, heat is generated in the electrode 220, and an arc is generated around the electrode 220. Therefore, the first raw material M1 and the second raw material M2 accommodated in the processing space of the main body portion 100 are melted to manufacture the molten material L. In this case, the electrode 220 is oxidized by the air introduced into the main body portion 100 and the oxidized metal generated in the main body portion 100, and at least one of the length and diameter of the electrode 220 is reduced by the oxidation reaction. That is, the electrode 220 is consumed. In addition, the electrode 220 may also be consumed by the arc generated around the electrode 220. As described above, the electrode 220 is a consumable electrode, and at least one of its length and diameter is reduced by the oxidation reaction and the arc.

[0066] Therefore, the electrode material for forming the electrode 220 is introduced into the housing 210 such that the electrode 220 can be continuously or continuously formed when the electric furnace equipment is operated. The introduced electrode material is liquefied and baked inside the housing 210 to become the solid electrode 220.

[0067] The electrode material is introduced into the internal space of the electrode portion 200, that is, into the inside of the housing 210, in a solid state, and when power is supplied to the housing 210 through the power supply unit 300 and the power supply 230, the power is delivered to the electrode material introduced into the housing 210. In this case, resistive heat is generated in the electrode material, and the electrode material becomes a liquid state at a temperature of about 85 °C to about 100 °C. When power is continuously supplied, the electrode material that has become a liquid state is baked at a temperature of about 350 °C to 400 °C and is manufactured into the solid electrode 220.

[0068] As Figure 2As shown in , the electrode material can be introduced into the inner space of the housing 210, and a charging section Z can be formed from the upper side to the lower side of the inner space into which the electrode material is introduced. s , a liquefaction section Z m and a roasting section Z ba . Here, the charging section Z s refers to the section in which the solid electrode material is accommodated, and the liquefaction section Z m can refer to the section in which the solid electrode material changes into a liquid state and the liquid electrode material is accommodated. At the same time, the roasting section Z ba can refer to the section in which the solid electrode 220 is arranged. That is, when the electrode material changes from a solid phase to a liquid phase and then is roasted, the electrode material is manufactured into the electrode 220, and thus the roasting section Z ba can be described as the section in which the electrode 220 is arranged.

[0069] In this case, the area of the housing 210 located in the processing space of the main body portion 100 may be oxidized and consumed due to high temperature. That is, at least a part of the housing 210 inserted into the processing space may be consumed and disappear in the roasting section Z ba . Therefore, when operating the electric furnace device, the housing 210 may drop over time.

[0070] Here, the electrode material introduced into the inner space of the electrode portion 200 can include a massive B-type electrode material or a columnar C-type electrode material. Here, the massive B-type electrode material can refer to a lump-shaped electrode material with an average diameter of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, and the columnar C-type electrode material can refer to a columnar electrode material with a diameter of several hundred centimeters and a height of several tens of centimeters to several hundred centimeters. As the massive B-type electrode material and the columnar C-type electrode material, electrode materials with only different shapes but the same composition can be used. That is, a material containing carbon (C) can be used for both the massive B-type electrode material and the columnar C-type electrode material.

[0071] In an electric furnace apparatus having an electrode portion 200 made by using such a semi-self-baking method, the level, i.e., the height, of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod is a main factor affecting the baking quality of the electrode. Accordingly, the electric furnace apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit that automatically monitors the height of the electrode material filled in the inner space of the electrode portion 200. Here, the detection unit may include: a distance measurer 412 that measures the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200; and a converter 416 that can convert the distance measured by the distance measurer 412 into the height of the electrode material. Alternatively, the detection unit may include: vibration measurers 422 and 424 that are installed in the electrode portion 200 to measure the amount of vibration of the electrode portion 200; and a comparator 426 that can calculate the height of the electrode material by using the measured amount of vibration. Additionally, the detection unit may include all of the above-described distance measurer 412, converter 416, vibration measurers 422 and 424, and comparator 426. Meanwhile, at least one of the converter 416 and the comparator 426 may be configured to be included in a detector 430 that has a logic for providing the operator with the converted or calculated height information of the electrode material or processing the converted or calculated height information of the electrode material. Hereinafter, the detection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail by distinguishing between the case of using a massive B-type electrode material and the case of using a columnar C-type electrode material.

[0072] Figure 3 FIG. is a view illustrating a state of detecting the height of an electrode material according to an embodiment of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment of detecting the height of the massive B-type electrode material dispersed in the inner space of the electrode portion 200 when the electric furnace apparatus uses the massive B-type electrode material.

[0073] First, the detection unit may include: a distance measurer 412 that measures the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200; and a converter 416 that can convert the distance measured by the distance measurer 412 into the height of the electrode material. Additionally, the detection unit may include a driver 414 that can move the distance measurer 412 in a direction crossing the extending direction of the electrode portion 200, i.e., in a direction crossing the vertical direction, for example, the horizontal direction.

[0074] The distance measurer 412 may be disposed above the electrode portion 200, i.e., above the upper opening of the housing 210, and measure the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200. Such a distance measurer 412 may include an optical sensor that emits an optical signal, such as a laser, receives the optical signal reflected by the electrode material, and measures the distance between the distance measurer 412 and the electrode material. However, the distance measurer 412 is not limited to such an optical sensor, and various known configurations capable of measuring the distance from the upper portion of the electrode portion 200 to the electrode material may be applied to the distance measurer 412.

[0075] Although multiple distance measurers 412 may be provided, the distance to the electrode material may be measured by moving a single distance measurer 412 to multiple positions. For this purpose, the distance measurer 412 may be mounted in a driver 414 that can move the distance measurer 412 in the horizontal direction, and thus, the distance measurer 412 may move in the horizontal direction.

[0076] Here, multiple electrode portions 200 may be mounted in the main body portion 100 and spaced apart from each other, and the driver 414 may be configured to move the distance measurer 412 in the arrangement direction of the multiple electrode portions 200. As described above, the main body portion 100 may have a cylindrical shape, and the electrode portion 200 may include three electrode rods arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a triangular shape so as to surround the center of the main body portion 100. In this case, the driver 414 may rotate about a rotation axis passing through the center of the main body portion 100 to move the distance measurer 412 in the arrangement direction of the multiple electrode rods, thereby moving the distance measurer 412 above each electrode rod. Alternatively, the main body portion may have a rectangular cylindrical shape extending in one direction, and the electrode portion 200 may include six electrode rods arranged in a row in one direction. In this case, the driver 414 may move in the extending direction of the main body portion 100 to move the distance measurer 412 in the arrangement direction of the multiple electrode rods, thereby moving the distance measurer 412 above each electrode rod.

[0077] In addition, as Figure 3 shown, the driver 414 may move the distance measurer 412 in the horizontal direction so that the distance measurer 412 measures the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod at different positions.

[0078] Such a drive 414 may include a crane installed outside the main body portion 100 so as to be able to introduce electrode material into the electrode portion 200. In an electric furnace apparatus having a semi-self-baking type electrode unit 200, a crane is installed to introduce electrode material into the electrode unit 200 from above the electrode unit 200, that is, from above the upper opening of the housing 210. Therefore, when the distance measurer 412 is installed on the crane in this way to allow the introduction of electrode material, the advantage is that no separate device for moving the distance measurer 412 needs to be added.

[0079] The converter 416 converts the distance measured by the distance measurer 412 into the height of the electrode material. For example, as Figure 3 illustrated, the distance measurer 412 may be arranged on the edge region of the inner space of the electrode portion 200 to measure the distance D1 between the distance measurer 412 and the electrode material. In this case, the converter 416 may subtract the measured distance D1 from the height at which the distance measurer 412 is installed to convert the measured distance D1 into the height H1 of the edge region of the electrode material. Here, the height at which the distance measurer 412 is installed refers to the distance between the reference surface F and the distance measurer 412, which is determined when designing the electric furnace apparatus and corresponds to known information. In this case, the reference surface F may be configured differently, such as the ground, the bottom surface of the furnace body 110, and the upper surface of the cover 120. In this case, the converter 416 may subtract the measured distance D1 from the height at which the distance measurer 412 is installed, which corresponds to known information, to convert it into the height H1 of the electrode material from the reference surface F.

[0080] In addition, as described above, the distance measurer 412 can be moved to measure the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 at different positions. Therefore, the distance measurer 412 may be arranged in the central region of the inner space of the electrode portion 200 to measure the distance D2 between the distance measurer 412 and the electrode material, and the converter 416 may subtract the measured distance D2 from the height at which the distance measurer 412 is installed to convert the distance D2 into the height H2 of the central region of the electrode material.

[0081] In this way, the distance measurer 412 can be moved to different positions on the electrode portion 200 to measure the height of the electrode material, and the converter 416 can convert the height of the electrode material at each position. The detector 430 can provide the operator with information about the height of the electrode material filled in the edge region, the central region, etc. of the inner space of the electrode portion 200, so that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without directly measuring the height of the electrode material.

[0082] Meanwhile, alternatively, the detection unit may include vibration gauges 422 and 424, which are installed in the electrode portion 200 to measure the amount of vibration of the electrode portion 200. Such vibration gauges 422 and 424 may include vibration sensors that measure the amount by which an object moves from its original position due to vibration, i.e., the displacement value. However, the vibration gauges 422 and 424 are not limited to such vibration sensors, and various known configurations for detecting the amount of vibration of an object may be applied. Meanwhile, a plurality of vibration gauges 422 and 424 may be installed to be spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the electrode portion 200, i.e., in the vertical direction, and the detection unit further includes a comparator 426 that can calculate the height of the electrode material by using the amount of vibration measured by each of the vibration gauges 422 and 424.

[0083] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating changes in the amount of vibration when the electrode material is filled and when it is not filled. Figure 4 shows the result of installing the vibration gauges on the electrode portion 200, i.e., on the side surface of the housing 210, and measuring the amount of vibration of the electrode portion 200 over time when the electrode material is introduced.

[0084] As Figure 4 shown, it can be seen that when the internal space of the electrode portion 200 is not sufficiently filled with the electrode material and is insufficient, the amount of vibration of the electrode portion 200, i.e., the displacement value, appears to be high. On the other hand, as time passes and the internal space of the electrode portion 200 is completely filled with the electrode material, it can be seen that the amount of vibration of the electrode portion 200 appears to be very low, and by utilizing this, the detection unit can detect the height of the electrode material.

[0085] A plurality of vibration gauges 422 and 424 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the electrode portion 200. Although Figure 3 the diagram shows that the first vibration gauge 422 and the second vibration gauge 424 are arranged to be spaced apart from the upper side to the lower side on the side surface of the electrode portion 200, the vibration gauges 422 and 424 are not limited thereto, and three or more vibration gauges may be provided. In addition, the vibration gauges 422 and 424 may be installed on the side surface of the electrode portion 200. Here, as described above, since the housing 210 may move downward due to at least partial consumption and disappearance of its baking section Z ba the vibration gauges 422 and 424 may be installed to be spaced apart from the side surface of the housing 210 to prevent the vibration gauges 422 and 424 from moving as the housing 210 descends.

[0086] In this case, the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 can be installed above the power supply 230 and separated from each other. As described above, the power supply 230 is configured to receive power from the power supply unit 300, and at the position where the power supply 230 is installed, the internal space of the electrode portion 200 corresponds to the liquefaction section Z m corresponds. The first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 are used to measure the height of the electrode material accommodated in the charging section Z s and the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 are installed above the power supply 230 and separated from each other.

[0087] When the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 are arranged vertically, as Figure 3 illustrated, if the electrode material is distributed in the internal space of the electrode portion 200, the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount can be measured by the first vibration measuring device 422, and the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount can be measured by the second vibration measuring device 424. Here, the reference vibration amount can be a value between the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200 in a state where the electrode material is not sufficiently filled and the electrode material is insufficient in the internal space of the electrode portion 200 and the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200 in a state where the electrode material is completely filled, and the reference vibration amount can be, for example, an intermediate value between the vibration amount in a state where the electrode material is insufficient and the vibration amount in a state where the electrode material is completely filled. Therefore, when a plurality of vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are arranged, the comparator 426 can compare the vibration amounts measured by the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 to calculate any height between the height of the lowermost vibration measuring device, that is, the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured, and the height of the uppermost vibration measuring device, that is, the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured, as the height of the electrode material. In this case, any height can refer to an intermediate value between the maximum height and the minimum height.

[0088] Conversely, the vibration measuring device can be arranged individually. In this case, the vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material can be stored in the comparator 426 as a database, and the height of the electrode material corresponding to the measured vibration amount in the database can also be calculated as the height of the electrode material.

[0089] In this way, the vibration measuring devices 422 and 424 can be installed on the side surfaces of the electrode part 200 to measure the amount of vibration of the electrode part 200, and the comparator 426 can compare the multiple measured vibration amounts with each other or compare the measured vibration amount with the measured vibration amount in the database to calculate the height of the electrode material. Even in this case, the detector 430 can provide information about the calculated height of the electrode material to the operator, so that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without directly measuring the height of the electrode material.

[0090] Meanwhile, the detection unit may include all of the above-mentioned distance measuring device 412, driver 414, converter 416, vibration measuring devices 422 and 424, and comparator 426, and the converter 416 and the comparator 426 may be configured to be included in the detector 430. In this case, each of the converter 416 and the comparator 426 can sense the height of the electrode material, and the detector 430 can compare the detected heights of the electrode material with each other to determine a more accurate height of the electrode material.

[0091] To describe this in more detail, a large amount of smoke generated during the liquefaction or roasting of the electrode material may exist in the internal space of the electrode part 200. As described above, when a large amount of smoke exists in the internal space of the electrode part 200, an inaccurate distance from the electrode material can be measured by the distance measuring device 412, and thus, the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 may have an incorrect value. On the contrary, when there is no smoke, the height of the electrode material converted using the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 has a more accurate value than the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426 based on the positions of the vibration detectors 422 and 424. Therefore, the detector 430 compares the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 with the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426, and when the difference is within the error range, determines the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 as the actual height of the electrode material, and when the difference is outside the error range, determines the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426 as the actual height of the electrode material. Here, the error range can be set according to the operating conditions, and for example, when multiple vibration measuring devices 422 and 424 are installed, the error range can be set as the interval between the vibration measuring device 422 and the vibration measuring device 424.

[0092] Figure 5FIG. is a view showing the state of detecting the height of the electrode material according to another embodiment of the present invention. Another embodiment of the present invention is an embodiment in which, when the columnar C electrode material is used in the electric furnace equipment, the height of the columnar C-type electrode material stacked at the central portion of the internal space of the electrode portion 200 or the height of the electrode material present in a liquid state at the edge portion of the internal space of the electrode portion 200 is detected.

[0093] Even when the columnar C-type electrode material is used, the principle of detecting the height of the electrode material by using the distance measuring device 412, the driver 414, and the converter 416 or by using the vibration measuring devices 422, 424, and the comparator 426 can still be applied. However, when the columnar C-type electrode material is used, the crane for introducing the electrode material uses a jig to introduce the electrode material so that the electrode material is stacked in the central portion of the internal space of the electrode portion 200. Therefore, the internal space of the electrode portion 200 is different from the case where the foregoing massive B-type electrode materials are dispersed, and the solid columnar C-type electrode materials are stacked at the central portion of the liquefied section Z m where the liquid electrode material is accommodated. Therefore, the description overlapping with that described with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4 will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

[0094] The converter 416 converts the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 into the height of the electrode material. In this case, when the distance measuring device 412 is arranged on the edge region of the internal space of the electrode portion 200, the distance measuring device 412 can measure the distance D1 from the electrode material in a liquid state, and the converter 416 can convert it into the height H1 of the electrode material in a liquid state through this distance. Here, the distance measuring device 412 can move in the horizontal direction, and when the distance measuring device 412 is arranged on the central region of the internal space of the electrode portion 200, the distance measuring device 412 can measure the distance D2 from the stacked columnar C-type electrode material, and the converter 416 can convert it into the stacked height H2 of the columnar C-type electrode material through this distance. By using this, as described above, the detector 430 provides the operator with information on the height of the electrode material filled in the edge region, the central region, etc. of the internal space of the electrode portion 200, so that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without directly measuring the height of the electrode material.

[0095] Comparator 426 converts the amount of vibration measured by the vibration gauges 422 and 426 into the height of the electrode material. Here, the electrode material in a liquid state can be filled in the internal space of the electrode portion 200, and since the columnar C-type electrode material is only arranged at the central portion of the internal space, comparator 426 can thereby calculate the height of the electrode material in a liquid state. In this case, as described above, detector 430 provides the operator with information regarding the calculated height of the electrode material in a liquid state, such that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without directly measuring the height of the electrode material.

[0096] Hereinafter, an electric furnace operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The electric furnace operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention can be a method of melting raw materials by using the above-described electric furnace, and thus the above content regarding the electric furnace equipment can be applied to this method, and thus its description will be omitted.

[0097] Figure 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electric furnace operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an electric furnace operation method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Here, Figure 6 illustrates an electric furnace operation method using a massive B-type electrode material, and Figure 7 illustrates an electric furnace operation method using a columnar C-type electrode material.

[0098] Referring to Figure 6 , the electric furnace operation method using a massive B-type electrode material according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the following processes: a process of introducing raw material M into the electric furnace (S110); a process of supplying power to the electrode portion 200 of the electric furnace to melt raw material M (S120); a process of introducing an electrode material for self-baking into the electrode portion 200 (S130); and a process of detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200.

[0099] In the process of introducing raw material M (S110), raw material M is introduced into the processing space of the main body portion 100 by using the raw material supply unit 500. Here, as described above, raw material M introduced into the processing space of the main body portion 100 from the raw material supply unit 500 may include directly reduced iron reduced by hydrogen, and directly reduced iron and coke can be introduced by using the first hopper 510 and the second hopper 520.

[0100] During the process of dissolving the raw material M (S120), power is supplied to the electrode portion 200 to dissolve the raw material M. The electrode portion 200 receives power to generate resistive heat or arc heat, and supplies heat to the raw material M loaded into the processing space to melt or dissolve the raw material M, and generate a molten material L.

[0101] During the process of introducing the electrode material (S130), the electrode material for forming the electrode 220 is introduced into the housing 210 so that the electrode 220 can be formed continuously or continuously when the electric furnace is operated. The introduced electrode material is liquefied and calcined inside the housing 210 to become a solid electrode 220.

[0102] During the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 can be detected by the following method: using a distance measuring device 412 to measure the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200; using a driver 414 to move the distance measuring device 412 in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion 200, that is, in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, such as the horizontal direction; using a converter 416 to convert the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 into the height of the electrode material.

[0103] In this case, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include the following process: measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 at a reference position with a set height above the electrode portion 200 (S142); and subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert the distance into the height of the electrode material (S152).

[0104] During the process of measuring the distance from the electrode material (S142), the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 is measured at a reference position with a set height on the electrode portion 200. Here, the reference position refers to the position where the distance measuring device 412 is installed, and the set height refers to the distance from the reference surface F to the distance measuring device 412. The distance measuring device 412 installed at the set height can measure the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 at the reference position. In this case, during the process of measuring the distance from the electrode material, the distance from the electrode material can be measured at a plurality of positions intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion 200, for example, at a plurality of positions arranged in the horizontal direction, and the process of measuring the distance from the electrode material can be performed while moving the distance measuring device 412 through a plurality of positions by the driver 414.

[0105] In the process (S152) of converting the distance into the height of the electrode material, the distance is converted into the height of the electrode material by subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position. That is, the converter 416 can convert the distance into the height of the electrode material, i.e., the first height, by subtracting the distance measured by the distance measurer 412 from the height of the distance measurer 412 installed.

[0106] Conversely, in the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 can be detected by using vibration measurers 422, 424 installed in the electrode portion 200 to measure the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200, and a comparator 426 capable of calculating the height of the electrode material by using the vibration amount measured by each of the vibration measurers 422, 424.

[0107] In this case, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include the following processes: a process (S144) of measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200 at different heights; and a process (S154) of calculating the height between the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured as the height of the electrode material.

[0108] The process (S144) of measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200 at different heights is performed by a plurality of vibration measurers 422, 424, and the plurality of vibration measurers 422, 424 are installed to be spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the electrode portion 200, i.e., in the vertical direction. In this case, as described above, the vibration measurers 422, 424 may be installed above the power supply 230 and spaced apart, and the vibration measurers 422, 424 may be installed to be spaced apart from the side surface of the housing 210 to prevent the vibration measurers 422, 424 from moving as the housing 210 descends.

[0109] In the process (S154) of calculating the height as the height of the electrode material, the height between the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured is calculated as the height of the electrode material. When a plurality of vibration measurers 422, 424 are arranged, the comparator 426 can compare the vibration amounts measured by the vibration measurers 422, 424 to calculate any height between the height of the lowermost vibration measurer, i.e., the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured, and the height of the uppermost vibration measurer, i.e., the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured, as the height of the electrode material. In this case, any height may refer to the intermediate value between the maximum height and the minimum height.

[0110] Alternatively, the vibration measuring device may be arranged separately, and in this case, during the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material may be detected by using a database that stores the vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material.

[0111] Conversely, during the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material can be detected by using all of the distance measuring device 412, the driver 414, the converter 416, the vibration measuring devices 422 and 424, and the comparator 426. That is, since there may be a large amount of smoke generated during the liquefaction or roasting of the electrode material in the internal space of the electrode part 200, the detector 430 can compare the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 with the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426 (S160), and when the difference between the first height and the second height is within the error range, the detector 430 can determine the first height converted by the converter 416 as the actual height of the electrode material, and when the difference is outside the error range, the detector 430 can determine the second height calculated by the comparator 426 as the actual height of the electrode material (S174). Here, the error range can be set according to the operating conditions, and for example, when multiple vibration measuring devices 422 and 424 are installed, as described above, the error range can be set as the interval between the vibration measuring device 422 and the vibration measuring device 424. The information about the height of the detected electrode material detected in this way is provided to the operator, so that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without directly measuring the height of the electrode material.

[0112] In addition, the electric furnace operation method according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a process of reintroducing the electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material (S190). This can be performed by comparing the height of the electrode material with a reference height (S180). In this case, the reference height is the height of the electrode material when the electrode material is distributed in the internal space of the electrode part 200 in an appropriate state, and can be set according to the operating conditions. In the case of introducing the block-shaped electrode material, as described above, when the difference between the first height and the second height is within the error range, the first height converted by the converter 416 is determined as the actual height of the electrode material (S172), and when the difference is outside the error range, the second height calculated by the comparator 426 can be determined as the actual height of the electrode material (S174), and thus when the determined height is less than the reference height, it is considered that the electrode material is insufficient in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, and the electrode material can be reintroduced. Conversely, when the determined height is greater than or equal to the reference height, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material can be continuously performed.

[0113] Refer toFigure 7 , the method for operating an electric furnace using a columnar C-shaped electrode material according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes the following processes: a process of introducing raw material M into the electric furnace (S210); a process of supplying power to the electrode portion 200 of the electric furnace to dissolve the raw material M (S220); a process of introducing the electrode material for self-baking into the electrode portion 200 (S230); and a process of detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200. Additionally, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include the following processes: a process of measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion 200 at a reference position having a set height on the electrode portion 200 (S242); and a process of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert the distance into the height of the electrode material (S252). Alternatively, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include the following processes: a process of measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion 200 at different heights (S244), and a process of calculating the height between the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured as the height of the electrode material (S254). This is the same as the case of introducing the above-mentioned massive B-shaped electrode material, and thus its repeated description will be omitted.

[0114] Additionally, the method for operating an electric furnace according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a process of reintroducing the electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material. That is, the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416, i.e., the first height, is compared with the reference height (S282), and when the first height is less than the reference height, it is considered that the electrode material is insufficient in the internal space of the electrode portion 200, and the process of reintroducing the electrode material may be executed (S292). Additionally, the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426, i.e., the second height, is compared with the reference height (S180), and when the second height is less than the reference height, it is considered that the electrode material is insufficient in the internal space of the electrode portion 200, and the electrode material may be reintroduced.

[0115] Here, when using the columnar C-shaped electrode material as described above, different from the case where the above-mentioned massive B-shaped electrode material is dispersed in the internal space of the electrode portion 200, the solid columnar C-shaped electrode material is stacked in the liquefaction section Z that accommodates the liquid electrode material mIn the central portion. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether to reintroduce the electrode material not only by reflecting the second height corresponding to the height of the liquid electrode material but also by reflecting the height of the electrode material stacked at the central portion of the electrode part 200. Thus, in the case of introducing the columnar C-shaped electrode material, during the process of reintroducing the electrode material, when the difference between the height of the electrode material stacked at the central portion of the electrode part 200 and the height of the electrode material existing in a liquid state at the edge of the electrode part 200 is less than the reference height difference, the electrode material can be reintroduced. In this case, the height of the electrode material stacked at the central portion of the electrode part 200 can be detected by positioning the distance measurer 412 at the central portion of the internal space of the electrode part 200; and the height of the electrode material existing in a liquid state at the edge of the electrode part 200 can be detected by positioning the distance measurer 412 at the edge of the internal space of the electrode part 200, or the second height calculated by the comparator 426 can be used for detection. In this case, the reference height difference can be set as the difference between the height when the columnar C-shaped electrode material is stacked in the internal space of the electrode part 200 in an appropriate state and the height of the liquid electrode material.

[0116] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to automatically detect the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode part without the intervention of an operator, thereby preventing safety accidents and improving productivity by increasing the operation rate of the facility.

[0117] In addition, the filling amount of the electrode material can be accurately checked to prevent the separation and internal defects of the electrode, and the baking quality of the electrode can be improved, thereby improving the operation efficiency.

[0118] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated using specific terms, it is obvious that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments and terms described herein without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the appended claims. Such modified embodiments should not be understood separately from the spirit and scope of the present invention and should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electric furnace device, comprising: A main body part having a processing space for processing raw materials; An electrode part installed in the main body part and having an internal space into which electrode material for self-baking is introduced; And A detection unit for detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode part.

2. The electric furnace device according to claim 1, wherein The detection unit includes a distance measurer for measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode part, and a converter for converting the measured distance into the height of the electrode material.

3. The electric furnace device according to claim 2, wherein The detection unit includes a driver for moving the distance measurer in a direction crossing the extending direction of the electrode part.

4. The electric furnace device according to claim 3, wherein The electrode part is installed in the main body part such that a plurality of electrode parts are arranged spaced apart from each other, and The driver moves the distance measurer along the arrangement direction of the plurality of electrode parts.

5. The electric furnace device according to claim 3, wherein The driver includes a crane installed outside the main body part for introducing the electrode material into the electrode part.

6. The electric furnace device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The detection unit includes a vibration measurer installed in the electrode part for measuring the vibration amount of the electrode part.

7. The electric furnace device according to claim 6, wherein A power supply is installed on the side surface of the electrode part, and the power supply heats the electrode material by supplying power to the electrode part, and The vibration measurer is installed above the power supply and spaced apart from the power supply.

8. The electric furnace device according to claim 6, wherein A plurality of the vibration measurers are arranged spaced apart from each other in the extending direction of the electrode part, and The detection unit includes a comparator for calculating the height of the electrode material by comparing the vibration amounts measured by the plurality of vibration measurers.

9. An electric furnace operation method, comprising: A process of introducing raw materials into the electric furnace; A process of dissolving the raw materials by supplying power to the electrode part of the electric furnace; A process of introducing electrode material for self-baking into the electrode part; And A process of detecting the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode part.

10. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 9, wherein The process of detecting the height of the electrode material includes: A process of measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode part at a reference position having a set height above the electrode part; and A process of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert the distance into the height of the electrode material.

11. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 10, wherein, during the process of measuring the distance to the electrode material, the distance to the electrode material is measured at a plurality of positions arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion.

12. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 11, wherein, the process of measuring the distance to the electrode material is performed while moving a distance measuring device to pass through the plurality of positions.

13. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 9, wherein, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material includes: the process of measuring the vibration amount of the electrode portion at different heights; and the process of calculating the height between the minimum height at which the vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured as the height of the electrode material.

14. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 9, wherein, during the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material is detected by using a database that stores the vibration amount measured in advance for each height of the electrode material.

15. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 9, further comprising: the process of reintroducing the electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material.

16. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 15, wherein, during the process of introducing the electrode material, a block-shaped electrode material is introduced into the electrode portion, and during the process of reintroducing the electrode material, when the detected height of the electrode material is measured to be less than the reference height, the electrode material is reintroduced.

17. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 16, wherein, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material includes the process of determining the height of the electrode material by comparing a first height of the electrode material converted from the distance to the electrode material with a second height of the electrode material calculated from the vibration amount of the electrode portion.

18. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 17, wherein, during the process of determining the height of the electrode material, when the difference between the first height and the second height is within the error range, the first height is determined as the height of the electrode material, and when the difference between the first height and the second height is outside the error range, the second height is determined as the height of the electrode material.

19. The electric furnace operation method according to claim 15, wherein, during the process of introducing the electrode material, a column-shaped electrode material is introduced into the central portion of the electrode portion, and during the process of reintroducing the electrode material, when the difference between the height of the electrode material stacked at the central portion of the electrode portion and the height of the electrode material existing in a liquid state at the edge of the electrode portion is measured to be less than the reference height difference, the electrode material is reintroduced.

20. The method for operating an electric furnace according to any one of claims 9 to 19, wherein, the raw materials include direct reduced iron reduced by hydrogen.

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