Improved Methodology for Estimating Specific Energy Consumption in Electric Arc Furnaces when Changing Electrical Modes

Abstract

The paper describes a methodology for evaluating the improved electric modes efficiency for arc steel-making furnaces and ladle-furnaces. The technical effect is achieved due to the reduction of specific electricity consumption. It is shown that a direct comparison of electric power consumption in the compared periods before and after the electric regime change of arc furnace cannot be considered as objective assessment, since different technological factors have influenced the plant. Data on time, electrical and process parameters were collected for the two analysed periods. The proposed methodology uses the regression models of electrical consumption for arc steel-making furnace and ladle-furnace plant. The average values of sampling factors are analysed. The authors determine two periods in which it is more difficult to achieve a reduction in specific energy consumption. Furthermore, the technical effect is adjusted to the most severe conditions. The average values of the hardest period factors are substituted in both regression equations. Then the specific electricity consumption is estimated. This methodology is applicable when changing the settings of existing automatic control systems or when replacing old systems with new ones.