Electric furnace equipment and electric furnace operation method

Abstract

The present invention provides an electric furnace facility and an electric furnace operating method that are capable of automatically monitoring the height of electrode material filled in an electrode section for self-firing. [Solution] The method includes the steps of: feeding raw materials into an electric furnace; supplying power to an electrode portion of the electric furnace to melt the raw materials; feeding electrode material for self-firing into the electrode portion; and sensing the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion, wherein the step of sensing the height of the electrode material includes the steps of measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode portion at a reference position on the electrode portion having a set height; and subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert it into the height of the electrode material, wherein the step of measuring the distance to the electrode material measures the distance to the electrode material at a plurality of positions arranged in a direction intersecting with the extension direction of the electrode portion, and wherein the step of measuring the distance to the electrode material is performed while moving a distance measuring device so as to pass through the plurality of positions.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric furnace facility and an operating method of the electric furnace, and more particularly to an electric furnace facility and an operating method of the electric furnace for melting raw materials using electrodes capable of self-firing. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, carbon flow technologies that minimize carbon dioxide emissions have been actively developed in response to the climate change crisis. To this end, the iron ore industry is conducting research and development into hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology, which uses hydrogen instead of fossil fuels that produce carbon dioxide to produce direct reduced iron, which is then used to produce steel. If hydrogen reduction steelmaking technology is commercialized, it will be able to replace converter furnace operation as well as blast furnace operation, which mass-produces carbon dioxide, by utilizing electric furnace operation.

[0003] Electric furnaces melt raw materials using the heat and arc generated by supplying electricity to electrode rods. While pre-baked electrodes can be used, electric furnaces used to melt large amounts of direct reduced iron use self-baking electrodes, in which electrode material is baked in an amount that corresponds to the amount of electrode consumed.

[0004] In electric furnace equipment using self-baking electrode rods, the level, i.e., height, of the electrode material loaded into the electrode rod is a major factor affecting the firing quality of the electrode. If the height of the electrode material loaded into the electrode rod increases, the internal pressure may increase, potentially causing the electrode to fall off. If the height of the electrode material decreases, there is a concern that the fired electrode may have internal defects due to a lack of electrode material. Therefore, the height of the electrode material loaded into the electrode rod must be continuously measured. Conventionally, the height of the electrode material loaded into the electrode rod is measured by an operator climbing onto the top of the electrode rod and using a tape measure. However, this measurement method poses a high risk of safety accidents, such as electric shock and falls, and requires the power supplied to the electric furnace equipment to be shut off as necessary, thereby reducing the operating rate of the electric furnace equipment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0006005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The present invention provides an electric furnace facility and an electric furnace operating method that are capable of automatically monitoring the height of electrode material filled in an electrode section for self-firing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electric furnace equipment of the present invention comprises a main body having a processing space for processing raw materials, an electrode section disposed in the main body and having an internal space into which electrode material for self-firing can be introduced, and a sensing section for sensing the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode section.

[0008] The sensing unit may include a distance measuring device capable of measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit, and a converter capable of converting the measured distance into the height of the electrode material.

[0009] The sensing unit may include a driver capable of moving the distance measuring device in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the electrode unit.

[0010] The electrode units may be arranged on the main body so that a plurality of them are spaced apart from each other, and the driver may be capable of moving the distance measuring device along the direction in which the plurality of electrode units are arranged.

[0011] The driver may include a crane disposed outside the main body so as to be able to input electrode material into the electrode section.

[0012] The sensing unit may include a vibration measuring device disposed on the electrode unit so as to measure the amount of vibration of the electrode unit.

[0013] A power supply capable of supplying power to the electrode portion to heat the electrode material may be disposed on a side of the electrode portion, and the vibration measuring device may be disposed above and separately from the power supply.

[0014] The vibration measuring devices may be arranged at a distance from each other along the extension direction of the electrode portion, and the sensing unit may be equipped with a comparator that can compare the vibration amounts measured by the multiple vibration measuring devices to calculate the height of the electrode material.

[0015] The method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention includes the steps of: charging raw materials into the electric furnace; supplying electric power to electrodes of the electric furnace to melt the raw materials; charging electrode material for self-sintering into the electrode parts; and sensing the height of the electrode material charged in the electrode parts.

[0016] The step of sensing the height of the electrode material may include a step of measuring a distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode portion at a reference position on the electrode portion having a set height, and a step of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert it into the height of the electrode material.

[0017] In the process of measuring the distance to the electrode material, the distance to the electrode material may be measured at a plurality of positions arranged in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the electrode portion.

[0018] The step of measuring the distance to the electrode material may be performed while moving a distance measuring device through the plurality of positions.

[0019] The process of sensing the height of the electrode material may include a process of measuring vibration magnitudes of the electrode part at different heights, and a process of calculating the height of the electrode material as the height between the minimum height at which a vibration magnitude exceeding a reference vibration magnitude is measured and the maximum height at which a vibration magnitude less than the reference vibration magnitude is measured.

[0020] In the step of sensing the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material may be sensed using a database in which vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material are stored.

[0021] The method for operating an electric furnace may further include the step of recharging electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material.

[0022] In the process of feeding the electrode material, briquette-type electrode material may be fed into the electrode section, and in the process of re-feeding the electrode material, if the detected height of the electrode material is measured to be less than the reference height, the electrode material may be re-feed.

[0023] The step of sensing the height of the electrode material may include a step 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.

[0024] In the process of determining the height of the electrode material, the first height may be determined as the height of the electrode material if the difference between the first height and the second height is within an error range, and the second height may be determined as the height of the electrode material if the difference between the first height and the second height is outside the error range.

[0025] In the process of adding the electrode material, a cylindrical electrode material is added to the center of the electrode unit, and in the process of re-adding the electrode material, the electrode material may be added again if the difference in height between the electrode material stacked in the center of the electrode unit and the electrode material present in a liquid state on the periphery of the electrode unit is measured to be less than a reference height difference.

[0026] The raw material may include direct reduced iron reduced with hydrogen. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] According to the present invention, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode section can be automatically detected without the intervention of an operator, thereby preventing safety accidents and increasing the operating rate of the electric furnace equipment, thereby improving productivity.

[0028] In addition, the amount of electrode material filled can be accurately confirmed, preventing electrode detachment and internal defects, improving the firing quality of the electrodes and improving operational efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an electric furnace facility of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the self-sintering of the electrode material of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the height of an electrode material of the present invention is sensed. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the change in vibration amount when the electrode material is filled and when it is not filled. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the height of an electrode material of the present invention is sensed. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and may be embodied in various different forms. The embodiments of the present invention are provided merely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In order to explain the invention in detail, the drawings may be exaggerated, and the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same components.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an electric furnace facility of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing how the electrode material of the present invention is self-sintered.

[0032] 1, the electric furnace equipment of the present invention includes a main body 100 having a processing space for processing raw material M, an electrode unit 200 disposed in the main body 100 and having an internal space into which electrode material for self-sintering can be introduced, and a sensor for sensing the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 300. The electric furnace equipment may further include a power supply unit 300 connected to the electrode unit 200 to supply power to the electrode unit 200, and a raw material supply unit 500 disposed in the main body 100 to introduce raw material M into the processing space.

[0033] The main body 100 has a processing space for processing the raw material M. For this purpose, the main body 100 may include a furnace body 110 having an opening formed therein and a lid body 120 for covering the opening of the furnace body 110.

[0034] The furnace body 110 may have a cylindrical shape with an open top. For example, the furnace body 110 may have a cylindrical shape, in which case the main body 110 may have a cylindrical processing space. Alternatively, the furnace body 110 may have a generally square cylindrical shape, in which case the main body 110 may have a square cylindrical internal space. Needless to say, the furnace body 110 may also have various other cylindrical shapes with an open top. The furnace body 110 may have an outer wall 110a made of steel or metal and an inner wall 110b constructed of a refractory material inside the outer wall.

[0035] The furnace body 110 may be provided with a first outlet 111 through which the molten material L can be discharged and a second outlet 112 through which the slag S floating above the molten material L can be discharged. The first and second outlets 111, 112 may be provided on the side walls of the furnace body 110, or on the bottom surface of the lower part of the furnace body 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, 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 the other side wall of the furnace body 110. Needless to say, the first and second outlets 111, 112 are not limited to the above-mentioned positions and may be provided in a variety of positions that allow the molten material L and slag S to be discharged to the outside.

[0036] Outside the furnace body 110, containers 10a and 10b capable of accommodating the molten material L and the slag S, respectively, are arranged. That is, the first container 10a may be arranged below the first outlet 111 outside the furnace body 110, and the second container 10b may be arranged below the second outlet 112. For example, the first container 10a that accommodates the molten material L discharged from the first outlet 111 may be a ladle, and the second container 10b that accommodates the slag S discharged from the second outlet 112 may be a slag port.

[0037] The lid 120 is disposed on the top of the furnace body 110 so as to close the open top of the furnace body 110. The lid 120 may be made of, for example, an iron shell or a metal. The lid 120 may be provided with a hole through which the electrode unit 200 can be disposed and a hole through which the raw material supply unit 500 can be disposed.

[0038] The raw material supply unit 500 is disposed in the main body 100 so as to be able to introduce raw material M into the processing space of the main body 100. The raw material M introduced from the raw material supply unit 500 into the processing space of the main body 100 may include direct reduced iron (DRI). The direct reduced iron may be at least one of low-grade direct reduced iron produced using ore having an iron (Fe) content of less than 65 wt% before reduction and high-grade direct reduced iron produced using ore having an iron (Fe) content of 65 wt% or more before reduction. The direct reduced iron may also be directly reduced using hydrogen. Such direct reduced iron can be produced in a reduced iron production facility that produces reduced iron by receiving iron ore and a reducing gas containing hydrogen gas. The raw material M is not limited to direct reduced iron and may include scrap having a higher iron (Fe) content than the direct reduced iron. The scrap may be iron scrap (iron scrap) with an iron (Fe) content of more than 70 wt%, more preferably iron scrap with an iron (Fe) content of 85 wt% to 99 wt%.

[0039] Meanwhile, the raw material M introduced into the processing space of the main body 100 may include a first raw material M1 and a second raw material M2. In this case, the first raw material M1 may include, for example, direct reduced iron, and the second raw material M2 may include a reducing agent. More specifically, the second raw material M2 may include coke. In the processing space of the main body 100, the first raw material M1 and the second raw material M2 are melted by heat generated from the electrode unit 200, and the first raw material M1 is reduced by the second raw material M2, thereby producing a molten material L.

[0040] For this purpose, the raw material supply section 500 may include a first hopper 510 in which the first raw material M1 is stored, a second hopper 520 in which the second raw material M2 is stored, and a supply device 530 connected to the first and second hoppers 510, 520 so that the first and second raw materials M1, M2 can be introduced into the processing space of the main body section 100.

[0041] The supplier 530 may include, for example, a first conveying pipe 531 connected to the first hopper 510, a second conveying pipe 532 connected to the second hopper 520, and a third conveying pipe 533 having one end connected to the first and second conveying pipes 531, 532 and the other end disposed through the lid 120 so as to be located in the internal space of the main body 100. Furthermore, at least one of the first conveying pipe 531, the second conveying pipe 532, and the third conveying pipe 533 may be provided with a valve.

[0042] The above description has been given taking as an example a case where the raw material supply unit 500 includes the first and second hoppers 510, 520. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the apparatus may further include a hopper storing a raw material different from the first and second raw materials M1, M2. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the raw material M is not limited to being introduced using the raw material supply unit 500 as described above, and may be introduced directly into the main body 100 through an inlet provided in the lid 120.

[0043] The electrode unit 200 is partially inserted into the processing space of the main body 100 so as to generate heat. The electrode unit 200 receives power to generate heat and supplies the heat to the raw material M placed in the processing space. Here, power may refer to voltage or current, and the heat generated from the electrode unit 200 may be resistance heat or arc heat. The resistance heat or arc heat generated from the electrode unit 200 melts or dissolves the raw material M to produce a molten material L, for example, a molten metal such as molten iron.

[0044] The electrode unit 200 may include multiple electrode rods arranged at a distance from each other. For example, the electrode unit 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 surrounding the center of the main body 100, and the distance between each of the electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c may be equal. The three electrode rods 200a, 200b, and 200c may be arranged to vertically penetrate the lid 110 covering the furnace body 120, which has a generally cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the electrode unit 200 may include six electrode rods arranged in a row. The six electrode rods may be arranged at equal intervals from each other and to vertically penetrate the lid 110 covering the furnace body 120, which has a generally rectangular cylindrical shape.

[0045] Meanwhile, the electric furnace equipment according to the present invention may include a lifting unit (not shown) capable of moving multiple electrode rods in the vertical direction. The lifting unit may be configured to move the multiple electrode rods in the vertical direction as a whole, or may be configured to move each electrode rod individually in the vertical direction. The lifting unit can adjust the distance between the lower ends of the electrode rods and the raw material M or slag S in the internal space. When the lifting unit immerses the electrode rods in the slag S generated during melting of the raw material M, resistance heat due to the slag S can be generated. When the lifting unit separates the electrode rods from the raw material M or slag S, arc heat can be generated between the electrode rods and the raw material M or slag S. Generally, the electrode rods are immersed in the slag S to generate resistance heat and melt the raw material M, and arc heat can be selectively generated only when necessary.

[0046] The power supply unit 300 is connected to the electrode unit 200 so as to supply power to the electrode unit 200. The power supply unit 300 may be connected to each of the plurality of electrode rods, or a plurality of power supply units 300 may be provided so as to be connected one-to-one to the plurality of electrode rods. The power supply unit 300 can supply power to the electrode unit 200 via a power supply line.

[0047] The electrode unit 200 will be described in more detail below with reference to Fig. 2. As described above, the electrode unit 200 may include a plurality of electrode rods spaced apart from one another, and the plurality of electrode rods may have the same configuration and shape. Therefore, the following description will be given using one electrode rod as an example, and for ease of explanation, the electrode unit for one electrode rod will be designated by the reference numeral 200.

[0048] The electrode unit 200 may include a case 210 having an internal space and an electrode 220 formed so that a portion of the electrode 220 is inserted into the case 210 and the remaining portion of the electrode 220 protrudes outside the case 210 so that the electrode 220 can generate heat when supplied with power. The electrode unit 200 may further include a power supplier 230 disposed in the case 210 so that the electrode 220 can be connected to a power supply line and supply power to the case 210.

[0049] The electrode unit 200 is disposed such that a portion thereof is located inside the main body 100, i.e., in the processing space, and the remaining portion thereof is located outside the main body 100, i.e., outside the processing space. That is, the electrode unit 200 may be disposed so that it passes through the lid 120 in the vertical direction and is partially located inside the furnace body 110. Thus, a portion of the electrode unit 200 is located below the lid 120 and is housed inside the furnace body 110, and another portion protrudes above the lid 120 and is located outside the furnace body 110. The height of the electrode unit 200 may be adjusted so that its lower portion is immersed in the slag S floating on top of the molten material L or buried in the raw material M accumulated on top of the slag S.

[0050] Case 210 may be cylindrical so as to form an internal space. That is, case 210 may have an internal space extending in the vertical direction and have the shape of a tube with open top and bottom. The shape of case 210 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a cylindrical shape with a circular cross section. Such case 210 may be made of metal.

[0051] As described above, the electrode rod 200 is disposed so that a portion thereof is located inside the furnace body 110 and the remainder is located outside the furnace body 110. To this end, the case 210 is disposed to penetrate the cover body 120 in the vertical direction so that a portion thereof is located inside the furnace body 110 and the remainder is located outside the furnace body 110.

[0052] The power supply 230 can transmit the power supplied from the power supply unit 300 to the case 210. Such a power supply 230 may be disposed outside the case 210, i.e., on the outer circumferential surface of the case 210. The power supply 230 can be made from a wide variety of conductors capable of transmitting power, and can be made from a material including copper (Cu), for example.

[0053] The electrode 220 is connected to the case 210 so that a portion of the electrode 220 protrudes from the bottom of the case 210. That is, the electrode 220 is connected so that a portion of the electrode 220 is located inside the case 210 and the remaining portion of the electrode 220 protrudes outside the case 210. The electrode 220 may be made of a material containing carbon (C), and when power is supplied to the electrode 220 through the case 210, resistance heat may be generated. In this case, an arc may be generated around the electrode 220.

[0054] Such electrode 220 is a self-sintered electrode manufactured by self-sintering an electrode material introduced into the interior space of case 210. That is, electrode 220 is not disposed in case 210 in a sintered state, but is provided by introducing the electrode material for forming electrode 220 into case 210 and heating the introduced electrode material to sinter it.

[0055] When power supplied to the case 210 is transferred to the electrode 220, heat is generated from the electrode 220, and an arc is generated around the electrode 220. As a result, the first and second raw materials M1 and M2 contained in the processing space of the main body 100 are melted to produce a molten material L. At this time, the electrode 220 is oxidized by the air flowing into the main body 100 and the oxidizing metal generated inside the main body 100, and at least one of the length and diameter of the electrode 220 is reduced by this oxidation reaction. In other words, the electrode 220 is consumed. The electrode 220 may also be consumed by the arc generated around the electrode 220. In this way, the electrode 220 is a consumable electrode whose length and / or diameter is reduced by the oxidation reaction and the arc.

[0056] Therefore, in order to continuously or continuously form the electrode 220 while the electric furnace equipment is in operation, an electrode material for forming the electrode 220 is introduced into the case 210. The introduced electrode material is liquefied and sintered inside the case 210 to form the electrode 220 in a solid phase.

[0057] The electrode material is placed in a solid state in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, i.e., inside the case 210. When power is supplied to the case 210 via the power supply unit 300 and the power supply 230, the power is transferred to the electrode material placed inside the case 210. At this time, resistance heat is generated from the electrode material, and the electrode material changes to a liquid state at a temperature of about 85 to 100°C. If power is continuously supplied, the electrode material that has changed to a liquid state is baked at a temperature of about 350 to 400°C, and is manufactured into a solid-phase electrode 220.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrode material is charged into the internal space of the case 210, and as the electrode material is charged from the top to the bottom, a charging section Z s , liquefaction section Z m and firing section Z ba Here, the charging section Z s means the section containing the solid electrode material, and the liquefaction section Zm The firing section Z may refer to a section in which the solid electrode material changes to a liquid state and the liquid electrode material is contained. ba The firing section Z may refer to a section in which the solid electrode 220 is arranged. That is, if the electrode material is fired after changing from a solid state to a liquid state, it is manufactured as the electrode 220. ba can be described as the section in which the electrode 220 is placed.

[0059] At this time, the area of ​​the case 210 that is in the processing space of the main body 100 can be oxidized and consumed by the high temperature. That is, the case 210 inserted into the processing space is heated in the baking section Z. ba Therefore, the case 210 can be lowered over time while the electric furnace equipment is in operation.

[0060] Here, the electrode material introduced into the internal space of the electrode unit 200 may include briquette type B electrode material or cylinder type C electrode material. Here, briquette type B electrode material refers to a block-shaped electrode material having an average diameter of several centimeters to several tens of centimeters, and cylinder type C electrode material may refer to a cylindrical electrode material having a diameter of several hundred centimeters and a height of several tens of centimeters to several hundred centimeters. The only difference between briquette type B electrode material and cylinder type C electrode material is their shape, and materials having the same composition can be used. In other words, materials containing carbon (C) can be used as both briquette type B electrode material and cylinder type C electrode material.

[0061] In an electric furnace using such a self-firing type electrode unit 200, the level, i.e., height, of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod is a major factor affecting the firing quality of the electrode. Therefore, the electric furnace equipment of the present invention includes a sensor for automatically monitoring the height of the electrode material filled in the internal space of the electrode unit 200. The sensor may include a distance measurer 412 for measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 and a converter 416 for converting the distance measured by the distance measurer 412 into the height of the electrode material. Alternatively, the sensor may include vibration measurers 422 and 424 disposed on the electrode unit 200 to measure the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 and a comparator 426 for calculating the height of the electrode material using the vibration magnitude measured by the vibration measurers 422 and 424. The sensor may also include all of the distance measurer 412, converter 416, vibration measurers 422 and 424, and comparator 426 described above. Meanwhile, at least one of the converter 416 and the comparator 426 may be configured to be incorporated into a sensor 430 having logic for providing the converted or calculated electrode material height information to an operator and for processing the converted or calculated electrode material height information. The sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail below, separately for the case where a briquette B type electrode material is used and the case where a cylinder C type electrode material is used.

[0062] 3 is a diagram showing how the height of the electrode material is sensed in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is for sensing the height of the B-type electrode material briquettes dispersed in the internal space of the electrode unit 200 when the electric furnace equipment uses B-type electrode material briquettes.

[0063] First, the sensing unit may include a distance measuring device 412 for measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200, and a converter 416 capable of converting the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 into the height of the electrode material. The sensing unit may also include a driver 414 capable of moving the distance measuring device 412 in the extension direction of the electrode unit 200, i.e., in a direction intersecting the up-down direction, for example, in the horizontal direction.

[0064] Distance measuring device 412 may be disposed above electrode unit 200, i.e., above the upper opening of case 210, and measures the distance to the electrode material filled in electrode unit 200. Such distance measuring device 412 may include an optical sensor that transmits an optical signal such as a laser and receives the optical signal reflected by the electrode material to measure the distance between distance measuring device 412 and the electrode material. However, distance measuring device 412 is not limited to such an optical sensor, and it goes without saying that a wide variety of known configurations that can measure the distance to the electrode material above electrode unit 200 are applicable.

[0065] A plurality of distance measuring devices 412 may be provided, or a single distance measuring device 412 may be moved to a plurality of positions to measure the distance to the electrode material. For this purpose, the distance measuring device 412 may be disposed on a driver 414 capable of moving the distance measuring device 412 in the horizontal direction, thereby allowing the distance measuring device 412 to move in the horizontal direction.

[0066] Here, the electrode unit 200 may be disposed on the main body 100 so as to be spaced apart from one another, and the driver 414 may be configured to move the distance measuring device 412 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of electrode units 200. As described above, the main body 100 may be cylindrical, and the electrode unit 200 may include three electrode rods spaced apart in a triangular shape surrounding the center of the main body 100. In this case, the driver 414 may rotate about a rotation axis passing through the center of the main body 100 to move the distance measuring device 412 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of electrode rods so that the distance measuring device 412 is positioned above each electrode rod. Alternatively, the main body may be shaped like a square cylinder extending in one direction, and the electrode unit 200 may include six electrode rods arranged in a row along the one direction. At this time, the driver 414 can move along the extension direction of the main body 100 to move the distance measuring device 412 along the arrangement direction of the multiple electrode rods so that the distance measuring device 412 is positioned above each electrode rod.

[0067] It goes without saying that the driver 414 can also move the distance measuring device 412 horizontally to measure the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode rod at various positions, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0068] The driver 414 may include a crane disposed outside the main body 100 so as to feed the electrode material into the electrode unit 200. In an electric furnace equipment having a self-firing type electrode unit 200, a crane is disposed to feed the electrode material into the electrode unit 200 from above the electrode unit 200, i.e., from above the upper opening of the case 210. Therefore, if the distance measuring device 412 is disposed on the crane disposed so as to feed the electrode material, there is an advantage in that there is no need to add a separate device to move the distance measuring device 412.

[0069] Converter 416 converts the distance measured by distance measuring device 412 into the height of the electrode material. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, distance measuring device 412 is disposed above the peripheral region of the internal space of electrode unit 200 to measure distance D1 between distance measuring device 412 and the electrode material. Converter 416 subtracts the measured distance D1 from the height at which distance measuring device 412 is disposed to convert it into height H1 of the peripheral region of the electrode material. Here, the height at which distance measuring device 412 is disposed refers to the distance from reference plane F to distance measuring device 412, which corresponds to known information determined during the design of the electric furnace equipment. Needless to say, reference plane F can be configured in various ways, such as the bottom surface of furnace body 110 or the top surface of lid 120, once the electric furnace equipment is installed. At this time, the converter 416 can convert the height H1 of the electrode material from the reference plane F by subtracting the distance D1 measured by the distance measuring device 412 from the height at which the distance measuring device 412, which corresponds to known information, is disposed.

[0070] As described above, the distance measuring device 412 is movable to measure the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 at various positions. Therefore, the distance measuring device 412 is disposed in the central region of the internal space of the electrode unit 200 and can measure the distance D2 between the distance measuring device 412 and the electrode material, and the converter 416 can subtract the measured distance D2 from the height at which the distance measuring device 412 is disposed to convert it into the height H2 of the central region of the electrode material.

[0071] In this way, the distance measuring device 412 moves to various positions on the electrode unit 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 sensor 430 provides the operator with information regarding the height of the electrode material filled in the peripheral region, central region, etc. of the internal space of the electrode unit 200, allowing the operator to monitor the height of the electrode material without having to measure it himself.

[0072] Alternatively, the sensing unit may include vibration measuring devices 422, 424 disposed on the electrode unit 200 to measure the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200. These vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may include vibration sensors that measure the amount of movement of an object from its original position due to vibration, i.e., a displacement value. However, the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are not limited to such vibration sensors, and a wide variety of known configurations for sensing the vibration magnitude of an object may be applied. Alternatively, multiple vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be disposed spaced apart from each other along the extension direction of the electrode unit 200, i.e., the vertical direction, and the sensing unit may further include a comparator 426 that can calculate the height of the electrode material using the vibration magnitude measured by each vibration measuring device 422, 424.

[0073] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the change in the amount of vibration when the electrode material is filled and when it is not filled. Fig. 4 shows the results of measuring the amount of vibration of the electrode part 200 over time while the electrode material is being poured in by disposing a vibration measuring device on the side surface of the electrode part 200, i.e., the case 210.

[0074] 4, when the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is not sufficiently filled with electrode material, the vibration amount, i.e., the displacement value, of the electrode unit 200 appears high. On the other hand, when the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is completely filled with electrode material over time, the vibration amount of the electrode unit 200 appears very low, and the sensing unit can sense the height of the electrode material using this.

[0075] A plurality of vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be arranged at a distance from each other along the extension direction of the electrode section 200. While Fig. 3 shows the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 arranged at a distance from the top to the bottom on the side surface of the electrode section 200, the number of vibration measuring devices 422, 424 is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that three or more vibration measuring devices may be provided. Furthermore, the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be arranged on the side surface of the electrode section 200. Here, the case 210 is, as described above, a portion of the baking section Z ba Since vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be disposed away from the sides of case 210 to prevent them from moving as case 210 descends, at least a portion of them may be worn away and move downward.

[0076] In this case, the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 may be disposed separately above the power supply 230. As described above, the power supply 230 is a component to which power is transmitted from the power supply unit 300, and the internal space of the electrode unit 200 at the position where the power supply 230 is disposed is the liquefaction section Z. m The first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 correspond to the charging section Z s The first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 are disposed above the power supply 230 and spaced apart from each other to measure the height of the electrode material contained therein.

[0077] 3, if the first vibration measuring device 422 and the second vibration measuring device 424 are arranged one above the other, and if the electrode material is distributed in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, the first vibration measuring device 422 can measure a vibration magnitude that exceeds the reference vibration magnitude, and the second vibration measuring device 424 can measure a vibration magnitude that is less than the reference vibration magnitude. Here, the reference vibration magnitude may be a value between the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 when the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is not sufficiently filled with electrode material and the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 when the internal space is completely filled with electrode material, and may be, for example, an intermediate value between the vibration magnitude when the electrode material is insufficient and the vibration magnitude when the electrode material is completely filled. Therefore, when multiple vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are provided, the comparator 426 compares the vibration magnitudes measured by each of the vibration measuring devices 422, 424, and can calculate the height of the electrode material as any height between the height of the lowest vibration measuring device that measured a vibration magnitude exceeding the reference vibration magnitude, i.e., the minimum height at which a vibration magnitude exceeding the reference vibration magnitude was measured, and the height of the highest vibration measuring device that measured a vibration magnitude less than the reference vibration magnitude, i.e., the minimum height at which a vibration magnitude less than the reference vibration magnitude was measured. In this case, the any height may mean an intermediate value between the maximum height and the minimum height.

[0078] Alternatively, it goes without saying that a single vibration measuring device may be provided. In this case, the comparator 426 may store in a database vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material, and may calculate the height of the electrode material that corresponds to the vibration amount measured in the database as the height of the electrode material.

[0079] In this way, the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are disposed on the sides of the electrode unit 200 to measure the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200, and the comparator 426 can calculate the height of the electrode material by comparing the measured vibration magnitudes or comparing the measured vibration magnitude with pre-measured vibration magnitudes in a database. In this case, the sensor 430 also provides information on the calculated height of the electrode material to the operator, allowing the operator to monitor the height of the electrode material without having to measure it himself.

[0080] Meanwhile, the sensing unit may include all of the distance measurer 412, driver 414, converter 416, vibration measurers 422 and 424, and comparator 426 described above, and converter 416 and comparator 426 may be configured to be incorporated into sensor 430. In this case, converter 416 and comparator 426 can sense the height of the electrode material, respectively, and sensor 430 can compare the sensed heights of the electrode material to determine the height of the electrode material more accurately.

[0081] To explain this in more detail, a large amount of fumes generated during the liquefaction or firing of the electrode material may be present in the internal space of the electrode unit 200. If a large amount of fumes is present in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, the distance to the electrode material may be measured inaccurately by the distance measuring device 412, and the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 may have an erroneous value. In contrast, if no fumes are present, 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 sensors 422 and 424. Therefore, the sensor 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 if the difference is within the error range, it determines the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416 as the actual height of the electrode material, and if the difference is outside the error range, it 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, if multiple vibration measurers 422, 424 are provided, it may be set to the distance between the vibration measurers 422, 424.

[0082] 5 is a diagram showing how the height of an electrode material is sensed according to the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, when an electric furnace equipment uses a cylindrical C-type electrode material, the height of the cylindrical C-type electrode material stacked in the center of the internal space of the electrode unit 200 or the height of the electrode material present in a liquid state at the periphery of the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is sensed.

[0083] When using a cylinder C type electrode material, the principle of detecting the height of the electrode material using the distance measuring device 412, the driver 414, and the converter 416, or the vibration measuring devices 422, 424, and the comparator 426, can be applied as is. However, when using a cylinder C type electrode material, the crane that charges the electrode material uses a jig to charge the electrode material so that it is stacked in the center of the internal space of the electrode unit 200. Therefore, unlike when the briquette B type electrode material is dispersed as described above, the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is divided into a liquefaction section Z in which the liquid electrode material is accommodated. m The difference is that a solid cylindrical C-type electrode material is laminated in the center on the top of the electrode. Therefore, the overlapping description with the description in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4 will be omitted and the description will focus on the differences.

[0084] Converter 416 converts the distance measured by distance measurer 412 into the height of the electrode material. When distance measurer 412 is disposed above the peripheral region of the internal space of electrode unit 200, distance measurer 412 can measure the distance D1 from the liquid electrode material, and converter 416 can convert the height H1 of the liquid electrode material through this. Here, distance measurer 412 is movable horizontally. When distance measurer 412 is disposed above the central region of the internal space of electrode unit 200, distance measurer 412 can measure the distance D2 from the stacked cylindrical C-type electrode material, and converter 416 can convert the stacked height H2 of the cylindrical C-type electrode material through this. As described above, by using this, sensor 430 provides the operator with information regarding the height of the electrode material filled in the peripheral region, central region, etc. of the internal space of electrode unit 200, allowing the operator to monitor the height of the electrode material without having to measure it themselves.

[0085] The comparator 426 converts the amount of vibration measured by the vibration measuring devices 422 and 426 into the height of the electrode material. Here, the difference is that the internal space of the electrode unit 200 can be filled with the electrode material in a liquid state, and the cylinder C-type electrode material is placed only in the center of the internal space, so the comparator 426 can calculate the height of the electrode material in a liquid state through this. In this case, the sensor 430 provides information about the calculated height of the electrode material in a liquid state to the operator, so that the operator can monitor the height of the electrode material without having to measure it himself, as described above.

[0086] The method for operating an electric furnace of the present invention will be described below. The method for operating an electric furnace of the present invention may be a method for melting raw materials using the electric furnace equipment described above, and the details described above regarding the electric furnace equipment are applicable to this method as they are, so a description of the overlapping details will be omitted.

[0087] Fig. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating another method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention, where Fig. 6 illustrates a method for operating an electric furnace using briquette B-type electrode material, and Fig. 7 illustrates a method for operating an electric furnace using cylinder C-type electrode material.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6, the method for operating an electric furnace using briquette B-type electrode material according to the present invention includes a step of charging raw material M into the electric furnace (S110), a step of supplying power to an electrode unit 200 of the electric furnace to melt the raw material M (S120), a step of charging electrode material for self-sintering into the electrode unit 200 (S130), and a step of detecting the height of the electrode material charged in the electrode unit 200.

[0089] In the step of introducing the raw material M (S110), the raw material M is introduced into the treatment space of the main body 100 using the raw material supply unit 500. Here, the raw material M introduced into the treatment space of the main body 100 from the raw material supply unit 500 may include direct reduced iron reduced by hydrogen, or direct reduced iron and coke may be introduced using the first and second hoppers 510 and 520, as described above.

[0090] In the process of melting the raw material M (S120), power is supplied to the electrode unit 200 to melt the raw material M. The electrode unit 200 generates resistance heat or arc heat upon receiving the power, and supplies heat to the raw material M charged in the treatment space to melt or dissolve the raw material M, thereby producing a molten material L.

[0091] In the step of introducing the electrode material (S130), the electrode material for forming the electrode 220 is introduced into the case 210 so that the electrode 220 can be continuously or continuously formed while the electric furnace equipment is operating. The introduced electrode material is liquefied and sintered inside the case 210 to form the electrode 220 in a solid phase.

[0092] In the process of sensing the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 can be sensed using a distance measuring device 412 for measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200, a driver 414 capable of moving the distance measuring device 412 in the extension direction of the electrode unit 200, i.e., a direction intersecting the up-down direction, for example, horizontally, and a converter 416 capable of converting the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 into the height of the electrode material.

[0093] In this case, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include a process of measuring a distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 at a reference position on the electrode unit 200 having a set height (S142), and a process of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert it into the height of the electrode material (S152).

[0094] In the process of measuring the distance to the electrode material (S142), the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 is measured at a reference position on the electrode unit 200 having a set height. Here, the reference position refers to the position where the distance measurer 412 is disposed, and the set height refers to the distance from the reference plane F to the distance measurer 412. The distance measurer 412 disposed at the set height can measure the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 at the reference position. In this process, the distance to the electrode material can be measured at a plurality of positions arranged in a direction intersecting the extension direction of the electrode unit 200, for example, horizontally. This may be performed by measuring the distance to the electrode material while moving the distance measurer 412 via a plurality of positions using the driver 414.

[0095] In the step of converting to the height of the electrode material (S152), the measured distance is subtracted from the height of the reference position to convert to the height of the electrode material. That is, the converter 416 can subtract the distance measured by the distance measuring device 412 from the height at which the distance measuring device 412 is disposed to convert to the height of the electrode material, i.e., the first height.

[0096] Alternatively, in the process of sensing the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 can be sensed using vibration measuring devices 422, 424 arranged in the electrode unit 200 to measure the vibration amount of the electrode unit 200 and a comparator 426 that can calculate the height of the electrode material using the vibration amount measured by each vibration measuring device 422, 424.

[0097] In this case, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include a process of measuring the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 at different heights (S144) and a process of calculating the height between the minimum height at which the vibration magnitude exceeding the reference vibration magnitude is measured and the maximum height at which the vibration magnitude less than the reference vibration magnitude is measured as the height of the electrode material (S154).

[0098] The step of measuring the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 at different heights (S144) is performed by a plurality of vibration measuring devices 422, 424 that are spaced apart from one another along the extending direction of the electrode unit 200, i.e., the vertical direction. In this case, the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be spaced apart above the power supplier 230, and as described above, the vibration measuring devices 422, 424 may be spaced apart from the side of the case 210 to prevent them from moving as the case 210 descends.

[0099] In the step of calculating the height of the electrode material (S154), the height between the minimum height at which a vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which a vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured is calculated as the height of the electrode material. When multiple vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are provided, the comparator 426 compares the vibration amounts measured by each vibration measuring device 422, 424 and calculates the height of the electrode material as any height between the height of the lowest vibration measuring device at which a vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured, i.e., the minimum height at which a vibration amount exceeding the reference vibration amount is measured, and the height of the highest vibration measuring device at which a vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured, i.e., the minimum height at which a vibration amount less than the reference vibration amount is measured. In this case, the any height may refer to an intermediate value between the maximum height and the minimum height.

[0100] Alternatively, the vibration measuring device may be disposed singly, and in this case, in the process of sensing the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material can be sensed using a database in which the vibration amount measured in advance for each height of the electrode material is stored.

[0101] Alternatively, in the process of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material may be detected 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 a large amount of fumes generated during liquefaction or firing of the electrode material may be present in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, the sensor 430 compares the height of the electrode material converted by the converter 416, i.e., the first height, with the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426, i.e., the second height (S160). If the difference between the first height and the second height is within the error range, the sensor 430 determines the first height converted by the converter 416 as the actual height of the electrode material (S172). If the difference is outside the error range, the sensor 430 determines 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 as mentioned above, for example, when a plurality of vibration measuring devices 422, 424 are provided, the error range can be set to the distance between the vibration measuring devices 422, 424. The information on the height of the electrode material sensed in this way is provided to the operator, allowing the operator to monitor the height of the electrode material without having to measure it himself.

[0102] The electric furnace operating method of the present invention may further include a step (S190) of recharging electrode material according to the detected electrode material height. This step may be performed by comparing the electrode material height with a reference height (S180). The reference height is the height of the electrode material when it is properly distributed within the internal space of the electrode unit 200 and can be set according to operational conditions. When charging briquette-type electrode material, as described above, if the difference between the first and second heights is within the error range, the first height converted by the converter 416 may be determined as the actual electrode material height (S172). If the difference is outside the error range, the second height calculated by the comparator 426 may be determined as the actual electrode material height (S174). Therefore, if the determined height is less than the reference height, it is determined that there is insufficient electrode material within the internal space of the electrode unit 200, and the electrode material may be recharged. Alternatively, if the determined height is equal to or greater than the reference height, the step of detecting the electrode material height may be continued.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 7, another method for operating an electric furnace according to the present invention using a cylinder C-type electrode material also includes a step of charging raw material M into the electric furnace (S210), a step of supplying power to an electrode unit 200 of the electric furnace to melt the raw material M (S220), a step of charging electrode material for self-sintering into the electrode unit 200 (S230), and a step of detecting the height of the electrode material charged in the electrode unit 200. In addition, the process of detecting the height of the electrode material may include a process of measuring the distance from the electrode material filled in the electrode unit 200 at a reference position on the electrode unit 200 having a set height (S242) and a process of converting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to the height of the electrode material (S252). Alternatively, the process may include a process of measuring the vibration magnitude of the electrode unit 200 at different heights (S244) and a process of calculating the height between the minimum height at which a vibration magnitude exceeding a reference vibration magnitude is measured and the maximum height at which a vibration magnitude less than the reference vibration magnitude is measured as the height of the electrode material (S254). This is the same as the case of feeding the briquette B type electrode material described above, and therefore a repeated description will be omitted.

[0104] The electric furnace operating method of the present invention may further include a step of recharging 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, may be compared with a reference height (S282). If the first height is less than the reference height, it may be determined that there is not enough electrode material in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, and the electrode material may be recharged (S292). Also, the height of the electrode material calculated by the comparator 426, i.e., the second height, may be compared with the reference height (S180). If the second height is less than the reference height, it may be determined that there is not enough electrode material in the internal space of the electrode unit 200, and the electrode material may be recharged.

[0105] Here, as described above, when using the cylinder C type electrode material, the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is different from the case where the briquette B type electrode material is dispersed, and the internal space of the electrode unit 200 is a liquefaction section Z in which the liquid electrode material is accommodated. m A solid cylinder C-type electrode material is stacked at the center of the electrode unit 200. Therefore, it is preferable to determine whether to re-inject the electrode material based on not only the second height corresponding to the height of the liquid electrode material but also the height of the electrode material stacked at the center of the electrode unit 200. Therefore, when adding a cylinder C-type electrode material, if the difference between the height of the electrode material stacked at the center of the electrode unit 200 and the height of the electrode material present in a liquid state at the periphery of the electrode unit 200 is measured to be less than the reference height difference, the electrode material can be re-injected. In this case, the height of the electrode material stacked at the center of the electrode unit 200 can be sensed by positioning the distance measuring device 412 at the center of the internal space of the electrode unit 200, and the height of the electrode material present in a liquid state at the periphery of the electrode unit 200 can be sensed by positioning the distance measuring device 412 at the periphery of the internal space of the electrode unit 200, or based on the second height calculated by the comparator 426. In this case, the reference height difference can be set as the difference between the height of the cylinder C type electrode material when the cylinder C type 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.

[0106] As described above, according to the present invention, the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode section can be automatically detected without the intervention of an operator, thereby preventing safety accidents and increasing the operating rate of the electric furnace equipment, thereby improving productivity.

[0107] In addition, the amount of electrode material filled can be accurately confirmed, preventing electrode detachment and internal defects, improving the firing quality of the electrodes and improving operational efficiency.

[0108] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated using specific terms, these terms are merely for the purpose of clearly describing the present invention, and it is clear that various modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments of the present invention and the terms used without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the claims. These modified embodiments should not be understood separately from the spirit and scope of the present invention, but should be considered to belong to the scope of the claims of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 10a First container 10b Second container 100 Main body 110 Furnace body 110a Exterior wall 110b Inner wall 111 First Outlet 112 Second Outlet 120 Lid 200 Electrode section 200a, 200b, 200c electrode rod 210 cases 220 electrode 230 Power supply 300 Electrode section 300 Power supply section 412 Distance Measuring Instrument 416 Converter 422, 424 Vibration measuring instrument 426 Comparator 430 Sensor 500 Raw material supply department 510 First Hopper 520 Second Hopper 530 Feeder 531 First Transport Pipe 532 Second conveying pipe 533 Third Transport Pipe B-type briquette C-type cylinder L melt M Raw material M1, M2 First and second raw materials S slug Z ba Firing section Z m Liquefaction section Z s Charging section

Claims

1. a main body having a processing space for processing raw materials; an electrode portion disposed in the main body portion and having an internal space into which an electrode material for self-firing can be introduced; a sensing unit for sensing the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode unit; An electric furnace facility comprising:

2. 2. The electric furnace equipment according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes a distance measuring device capable of measuring the distance to the electrode material filled in the electrode unit and a converter capable of converting the measured distance into the height of the electrode material.

3. 3. The electric furnace facility according to claim 2, wherein the sensing unit includes a driver capable of moving the distance measuring device in a direction intersecting with the extending direction of the electrode unit.

4. a plurality of the electrode portions are disposed on the main body portion so as to be spaced apart from one another; 4. The electric furnace facility according to claim 3, wherein the driver is capable of moving the distance measuring device along the direction in which the plurality of electrode units are arranged.

5. 4. The electric furnace facility according to claim 3, wherein the driver includes a crane disposed outside the main body so as to be able to feed electrode material into the electrode section.

6. 3. The electric furnace facility according to claim 1, wherein the sensing unit includes a vibration measuring device disposed on the electrode unit so as to measure the amount of vibration of the electrode unit.

7. a power supplier is disposed on a side surface of the electrode section, the power supplier being capable of supplying power to the electrode section to heat the electrode material; 7. The electric furnace facility according to claim 6, wherein the vibration measuring device is disposed above the power supply device at a distance.

8. a plurality of the vibration measuring devices are arranged apart from each other along the extending direction of the electrode portion, 7. The electric furnace facility according to claim 6, wherein the sensing unit includes a comparator capable of calculating the height of the electrode material by comparing the vibration amounts measured by the plurality of vibration measuring devices.

9. The process of feeding raw materials into an electric furnace, supplying electric power to the electrodes of the electric furnace to melt the raw materials; adding an electrode material for self-firing to the electrode portion; sensing the height of the electrode material filled in the electrode portion; A method for operating an electric furnace, comprising:

10. The step of sensing the height of the electrode material includes: measuring a distance between the electrode material filled in the electrode portion and a reference position on the electrode portion having a set height; a step of subtracting the measured distance from the height of the reference position to convert it into the height of the electrode material; 10. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 9, further comprising:

11. 11. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 10, wherein in 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 extension direction of the electrode portion.

12. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 11, wherein the step of measuring the distance to the electrode material is performed while moving a distance measuring device so as to pass through the plurality of positions.

13. The step of sensing the height of the electrode material includes: measuring vibration amounts of the electrode units at different heights; calculating a height between the minimum height at which a vibration amount exceeding a reference vibration amount is measured and the maximum height at which a vibration amount less than a reference vibration amount is measured as the height of the electrode material; 10. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 9, further comprising:

14. 10. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 9, wherein in the step of detecting the height of the electrode material, the height of the electrode material is detected using a database in which vibration amounts measured in advance for each height of the electrode material are stored.

15. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of recharging electrode material according to the detected height of the electrode material.

16. In the step of charging the electrode material, a briquette-type electrode material is charged into the electrode section, 16. The method of claim 15, wherein in the step of recharging the electrode material, if the detected height of the electrode material is measured to be less than the reference height, the electrode material is recharged.

17. 17. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 16, wherein the step of sensing the height of the electrode material includes a step 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. 18. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 17, wherein in the step of determining the height of the electrode material, the first height is determined as the height of the electrode material when a difference between the first height and the second height is within an error range, and the second height is determined as the height of the electrode material when the difference between the first height and the second height is outside the error range.

19. In the process of adding the electrode material, a cylindrical electrode material is added to the center of the electrode part, 16. The method of claim 15, wherein, in the step of recharging the electrode material, if a difference between the height of the electrode material stacked in the center of the electrode section and the height of the electrode material present in a liquid state at the periphery of the electrode section is measured to be less than a reference height difference, the electrode material is recharged.

20. 20. The method for operating an electric furnace according to claim 9, wherein the raw material contains direct reduced iron reduced by hydrogen.

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