Efficiency of Using Cored Graphitized Electrodes on Electric Arc Furnaces of Direct Current

An effective means for improvement of technical and economic indicators of EAF DC are graphitized cored electrodes, designed at the E.O. Paton Electric Welding Institute. The research works of the first stage, carried out in the industrial furnaces of the type EAF DC-12, showed that the arc of the cored electrode is always maintained in the center of the electrode, a stable electric mode of melting is provided on long arcs and low voltages of the power source. It was established that the voltage in the near cathode area, as well as the range of current and voltage pulsation of the cored electrode arc is significantly lower than in the standard (monolithic) graphitized electrode. These factors determined the saving of active energy, reduction of reactive power losses, increase in cos φ and reduction of the furnace noise level