Influence of composition and quality of electrical equipment on the EAF production efficiency

The article considers the influence of the composition and condition of the main electrical equipment of the electric arc furnace (EAF) on its productivity and trouble-free operation time. Ensuring the specified productivity and minimal losses of working time in the melting cycle are, of course, the main factors in achieving the specified production efficiency of the entire unit as a whole. A direct relationship is shown between the voltage, the stability of which is ensured by the static var compensator (SVC), and the electric power introduced into the furnace. Electric energy in the overall heat balance is on average not less than 70-85 % depending on the composition of the charge and significantly affects the duration of the melt. Operation of the furnace without SVC or in its incomplete composition accordingly significantly reduces the capacity and productivity of the furnace. To ensure trouble-free and uninterrupted operation, it is necessary to identify weak points and links in the technological chain of operations, as well as in the electrical equipment involved in these operations. The article presents statistics of failures of the main elements of the power supply system of the electric power plant for a long period of time - 15 years; special attention is paid to damage to cable lines. A discrepancy between the nominal and actual values of the voltage of cable joints is noted. Losses of two categories are calculated and presented: firstly, from interruptions in power supply as a result of damage to cable lines in various variants of joint operation of the electric power plant and the SVC, and secondly, the most significant direct losses of the electric power plant productivity in the absence or incomplete composition of the compensating device.The study was supported by the grant of the Russian Science Foundation No. 24-19-20026.