ELECTRODE MOVEMENT CONTROL DEVICE IN ELECTRIC STEELMAKING FURNACES ELECTRODE MOVEMENT CONTROL DEVICE IN ELECTRIC STEELMAKING FURNACES

Abstract

This article analyzes the issue of enhancing energy efficiency in electric arc furnaces (EAF). The study focuses on the current state of controlling and regulating electrode movement, which directly affects electrical energy consumption during the electric steelmaking process. The energy consumption levels in Uzbekistan’s existing EAF-based steelmaking processes are compared with global indicators. As a result, it was found that the specific energy consumption for producing one ton of steel in Uzbekistan’s EAFs averages 530–550 kWh, which is approximately 47% higher than global benchmarks. Therefore, the article proposes a new structural and functional scheme of an automatic electrode movement control system based on Fuzzy logic, which ensures effective control under sharp and nonlinear changes in arc parameters. The system transmits the necessary input parameters to the Fuzzy logic controller via a short-circuited network through a trans-reactor that functions as a current and voltage transformer. The results of the study demonstrate that the proposed system responds faster and more accurately to dynamic changes in arc current and voltage compared to existing analogues.