Primetals Technologies (Linz , Austria):

Sedivy Ch., Mag. Eng., Product manager, e-mail: christoph.sedivy@primetals.com
Koubek Ch., Mag. Eng., Product development
Krump R., Mag. Eng., Product development

Primetals Technologies (Erlangen, Germany):
Dittmer B., Technical department

With more than 35 years of experience and more than 600 installed packages Primetals Technologies introduces a new generation of electrode control systems. The fusion and consequent enhancement of the well-known predecessors Arcos and Simelt opens new potentials for saving energy and electrode consumption. Comprehensive and customized information about process and aggregate condition support plant operation and help reducing maintenance costs. Furthermore, Primetals Technologies has developed a new method of foaming slag detection within the last years. The novel method is based on an optical sensor targeted at the furnace slag door. An infra-red camera is continuously evaluating the slag level inside the furnace. Highly sophisticated algorithms allow the detection of slag level even when temporary obstacles such as manipulators or human operators are in the line of sight between camera and slag door. Alternatively, the amount of slag inside the furnace can be observed by analysis of the volume of slag exiting the furnace. Contrary to the evaluation of current harmonics or analysis of vibration or sound this method is a direct approach for measuring slag height. As the camera is positioned at a safe distance in front of the furnace, the system can be maintained with minimum effort. No sensors at or close to the vessel are required, which increases system’s availability. This method is suitable for every kind of EAF, AC and DC, as long as foaming slag operation is practiced and there is suffi cient sight to the slag door and slag fl ow.

1. Bowman, B., Krüger, K.: Arc Furnace Phisics, Verlag Stahleisen GmbH, Düsseldorf, 2009.