Efficiency of Application of Evaporative Cooling of Graphite Electrodes to Reduce their Consumption in Arc Furnaces

Abstract

A significant part of the cost of released products in the smelting of steel is the cost of graphite electrodes, so reducing their specific consumption is an urgent task. The aim of the work is to study on a computer model and analyze the efficiency of using evaporative cooling to reduce the consumption of graphite electrodes in electric arc furnaces of three-phase alternating and direct current of small capacity. A computer simulation of the thermal state and fame of graphite electrodes for arc furnaces of three-phase and direct current with the capacity of 12 tons was performed. The efficiency of using evaporative cooling of graphite electrodes was revealed. It is established that for arc furnaces operating on direct and three-phase alternating current, the use of electrodes water cooling allows to reduce the consumption of graphite by about one and a half times. It is established that the water supply to the evaporative cooling system is the most rational during 1–2 minutes after the current is turned on. The use of evaporative cooling of graphite electrodes in arc furnaces can be recommended to reduce their consumption on operating and designed small capacity alternating and direct current arc furnaces.