CHANGES IN ARC EFFICIENCY AND SPECIFIC POWER CONSUMPTION WHEN MELTING IN ARC STEELMAKING FURNACES OF CONVENTIONAL DESIGN AND CONSTEEL
The results of calculating efficiency of arcs in steel-making furnaces at various stages of charge melting with the changes in the height of a slag layer are presented. On cutting a well in the charge, the arc efficiency is at the maximum. In the course of the melting process, the height of the charge and the arc efficiency decrease. Increasing the height of a slag layer in the open period leads to increasing the arc efficiency. The estimated data are confirmed by experimental studies on electric arc furnaces (EAF). A comparative analysis of the operation of Consteel furnaces and conventional furnaces has been performed, including the analysis of energy indicators of the furnaces. The emphasis has been made on the advantages and disadvantages of Consteel furnaces in comparison with the furnaces of conventional design.