Analysis and optimization about electromagnetics-temperature-component distribution in calcium carbide electric furnace

Abstract

It is of particular value to optimize the electromagnetics-temperature-component multi-physical field in electric furnace in improving productivity and reducing energy consumption. In this paper, the effects of three-phase alternating current and electrode immersion ratio on multi-physical field in calcium carbide electric furnace were studied. Meanwhile, a new criterion called benefit evaluation factor was proposed. Benefit evaluation factor is used to comprehensively evaluate the consumption of electric energy and calcium carbide production in electric furnace. Additionally, to improve the physical field distribution in the equipment, an innovative multi-layer electrode furnace was proposed. The results show that the energy consumption and calcium carbide production decrease with the increase of electrode immersion ratio or the decrease of current. Considering benefit evaluation factor and operate temperature, the recommended electrode immersion ratio range is 0.25–0.48. More importantly, the application of multi-layer electrode has a beneficial effect on smelting performance of electric furnace. The average benefit evaluation factor of two-layer-electrode furnace is 7.5% higher than that of traditional calcium carbide electric furnace when electrode immersion ratio equals to 0.25. In this paper, the newly proposed index contributes to the calcium carbide electric furnace smelting performance evaluation, and the multi-layer electrode furnace proposal opens up novel ideas in new furnace design.