Comparing the time stepping finite element method results and measured data of a three phase electric arc furnace

Abstract

This paper examines transient finite element solutions of an 100 MVA three phase electric arc furnace (EAF). In practice, it was observed that there were a few high voltage arcs between upper side of high-carrying-current electrodes and the EAF roof. In order to specify the operation and performance of this EAF, a two dimensional time stepping finite element method (FEM) was developed and induced voltages between the roof and the electrodes at the worst conditions were predicted. In addition, there were some measurements of effective value of induced voltages between the roof, electrodes and water pipes by which the roof was cooled. At the end, accordingly, the FEM simulations proved that in unbalanced and asymmetrical operations of this EAF, the probability of high voltage arcing remained. © ICROS.