Authors: T. Ma, R.R. Nolan, J. Wikston
Abstract
Melting and smelting processes utilizing electric furnaces are achieving increasingly greater production levels through energy efficient, high power, high voltage arcs. In the past, utilities could easily provide a high fault level relative to the furnace operating power. Relatively high fault levels provided an economical solution to solving arc generated flicker and harmonics. As electric furnace energy levels increase to unprecedented power levels, improved methods are required to design cost effective furnace power supplies meeting stricter power quality standards. This paper describes a methodology of furnace power supply design which relates the arc characteristics, and equipment capabilities to utility capacities and power quality standards. The work involves field measurements, scale up of arc parameters, power system studies, equipment selection and performance evaluations.
