Abstract
Very little research on Søderberg electrodes has been published in the journal peer reviewed public domain. The main aim of this work is to characterise a Søderberg electrode that was cut off approximately 0.5 m below the contacts shoes of a submerged arc furnace. Additionally, the characterisation data can be used to verify if Søderberg electrode models accurately predict important electrode characteristics. The operational history (slipping, current, and paste levels) proved that the case study electrode was a representative specimen. The characterisation results indicated no significant electrical resistivity, degree of graphitisation (DOG), and bulk density changes from 0.7 to 2.7 m on the non-delta side (outward facing), while these characteristics changed relatively significantly on the delta side (inward facing) of the electrode. The area where the submerged arc would mostly like jump off the electrode had the lowest resistivity, as well as highest DOG and bulk density. No significant difference in porosity as a function of length below the contact shoes were observed; however, slight increases occurred near the perimeters. It was postulated that oxidation of carbon resulted in increased pore volumes near the electrode perimeter. No significant difference in compressive breaking strength was observed over the electrode area investigated.
Highlights
Since its development in the early 1900s [1], Søderberg electrodes have been used extensively in submerged arc furnaces (SAFs) to conduct electrical current from a transformer(s) to the smelting zone [2]
Various authors have presented representations of a Søderberg electrode column and/or described the processes associated with it, e.g., [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Such a column typically consists of a cylindrical steel casing that extends from a building level well above the furnace, down into the smelting zone
Resistive heating of current passing through the casing, fins, and paste, as well as heat conducted upward from the SAF in the electrode column melt the electrode paste at temperatures above its softening point to fill the casing
Summary
Since its development in the early 1900s [1], Søderberg electrodes have been used extensively in submerged arc furnaces (SAFs) to conduct electrical current from a transformer(s) to the smelting zone [2]. Various authors have presented representations of a Søderberg electrode column and/or described the processes associated with it, e.g., [2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. Such a column typically consists of a cylindrical steel casing that extends from a building level well above the furnace, down into the smelting zone. Resistive heating of current passing through the casing, fins, and paste, as well as heat conducted upward from the SAF in the electrode column melt the electrode paste at temperatures above its softening point to fill the casing. All the afore-mentioned result in the melted paste being exposed to increasing temperatures as it approaches the so-called contact shoes
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