Authors: G. Dosa, A. Kepes, T. Ma, P. Fantin
Abstract
An integral and necessary aspect of high power furnace operation is the computer control of furnace power. Process specific computer control of the electrode columns and transformer voltages are important requirements for electric furnace smelting. Hatch Associates has developed a Digital Regulation System for power and feed system control, operating on a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and Parallel Industrial Computer (PC), incorporating advanced software which automatically calculates and maintains process set points. The Hatch computer controls are installed on five high power electric smelting furnaces throughout the world. The paper describes the design aspects of concurrent electrode regulation, power regulation, transformer tap selection and feed control using on-line Power-Voltage-Current (PVI) calculations. This design promotes uniform power control at a controlled electrode tip position. The benefits of tight power regulation and uniform bath temperature, achieved at an operating smelter, are presented.
