Electric arc furnace with electrode adjustment system and method for managing electrodes in an electric arc furnace
The electric arc furnace with an electrode adjustment system addresses inefficiencies by monitoring electrode position and slag level, enabling controlled movements and arc ignition, thus enhancing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
WO2026027996A1 Publication Date: 2026-02-05SMS GRP SPA
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Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/IB2025/057205
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-07-31
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-05
AI Technical Summary
Technical Problem
Existing electric arc furnaces face inefficiencies in electrode insertion speed, collision risks, perforation progress monitoring, and arc ignition control, leading to increased energy consumption and equipment damage due to uncontrolled electrode movements and slag level unawareness.
Method used
An electric arc furnace with an electrode adjustment system that includes real-time detection and image acquisition systems to monitor electrode position and slag level, allowing controlled electrode movement and arc ignition, minimizing collisions and optimizing perforation and refining processes.
Benefits of technology
Enhances electrode management efficiency, reduces collision risks, and optimizes energy transfer by controlling electrode movements and arc ignition, resulting in faster operations and reduced energy consumption.
✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.
Abstract
The present invention relates to an electric arc furnace (1) comprising an electrode handling apparatus (30), comprising an electrode holder clamp (31) configured to vertically support said one or more electrodes; a first detection apparatus (40) configured to detect in real time the vertical position of said electrode-holder clamp (31) relative to a predefined reference point; - an image acquisition apparatus (60) configured to acquire images of said one or more electrodes when they are removed from the shell (10) and are positioned relative to the roof (20) in such a way that the tip and optionally also the wear zone are framed; a control unit of the electric arc furnace (70) comprising in turn an electrode adjustment system (700) which is configured to adjust the ignition and positioning of the electrodes inside the shell and is operatively connected to said electrode handling apparatus (30). Said control unit of the electric arc furnace (70) is operatively connected to said first detection apparatus (40) to acquire in real time the vertical position (YF) of said electrode-holder clamp relative to said predefined reference point and to said image acquisition apparatus ( 60 ) to acquire images of said electrodes. Said unit ( 70 ) is configured to process said images in such a way that at each electrode removal and for each electrode it calculates the length of the electrode (L Emin F). Said control unit of the electric arc furnace ( 70 ) is configured to calculate the vertical position (YE ) taken over time by the tip of the electrode relative to said predefined reference point, knowing the vertical position (YE) of said electrode- holder clamp acquired by said first detection apparatus ( 40 ) and the length of the electrode (L). Said control unit of the electric arc furnace ( 70 ) is configured to adj ust, via said electrode adj ustment system ( 700 ), the movements of the electrodes relative to the shell ( 10 ) in terms of vertical position and / or speed and / or the ignition time of the arc, as a function of predefined electrode management programs in different operating steps of the electric arc furnace based on the vertical position taken by the tip of the electrode, and / or is configured to generate an alarm signal in the event that, during one or more steps of the furnace operating cycle the trend of the vertical position taken by the tip of the electrode follows a temporal profile that deviates at least in part from a reference temporal profile within predefined tolerances.
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