83. Modern Trends in Furnace Transformer Technology

Technologists from all the corners of the world are insisting on perfection and acceptable technology to conserve energy, material resources, ease of operationand preservation of econology. Arc Furnaces are used to produce electric steel. Transformer feeding the power is an integral part of the electric arc furnace. William Siemens described the first workable arc furnace way back in 1879 in his British patent and released it to the public in 1880. Even after 125 years this technology is challenging the ingenuity of technologists on techno-economical aspects. An overall review of the existing furnace systems in steel plants in India calls for a new design for furnace transformers to increase the overall efficiency of system. The task of furnance transformer is to adopt the current and voltage to the quantity of charge in the furnace. Transformer is the “Heart” of the furnace installation. Till recently steel-making process was carried out only in one furnace in two stages namely melting and refining. The development of ladle metallurgical process recommends use of two transformers in combination, one for melting and the other for refining to ensure optimal capacity utilization. This paper attempts to highlight on these aspects. It also briefly enumerates arc furnace characteristics, principle, design considerations and interrelated requirements. Further it highlights the salient features of indirect regulation of transformer (built in booster system).