Multiple magnetic field sensors are arranged around a current-containing volume at multiple longitudinal and circumferential positions. Each sensor measures multiple magnetic field components and is characterized by one or more calibration parameters. A longitudinal primary current flows through two end-to-end electrical conductors that are separated by an arc gap, and flows as at least one longitudinal primary electric arc that spans the arc gap and that moves transversely within the arc gap. Estimated transverse position of the primary electric arc is calculated, based on the longitudinal position of the arc gap, and two or more of the measured magnetic field components along with one or more corresponding sensor positions or calibration parameters. In addition, estimated occurrence, position, and magnitude of a transverse secondary current (i.e., a side arc) can be calculated based on those quantities.

Multiple magnetic field sensors are arranged around a current-containing volume at multiple longitudinal and circumferential positions. Each sensor measures multiple magnetic field components and is characterized by one or more calibration parameters. A longitudinal primary current flows through two end-to-end electrical conductors that are separated by an arc gap, and flows as at least one longitudinal primary electric arc that spans the arc gap and that moves transversely within the arc gap. Estimated transverse position of the primary electric arc is calculated, based on the longitudinal position of the arc gap, and two or more of the measured magnetic field components along with one or more corresponding sensor positions or calibration parameters. In addition, estimated occurrence, position, and magnitude of a transverse secondary current (i.e., a side arc) can be calculated based on those quantities.

The present invention provides a power supply device and a power supply method for a DC electric arc furnace, wherein the power supply device comprises phase-shifting rectifier transformers, rectifying units and a regulator; through a structural design of a plurality of branches and a plurality of rectifying units at an output end of each phase-shifting rectifier transformer, and a structural design that outputs of the plurality of rectifying units are connected in parallel and then connected to a power supply short network of a DC electric arc furnace through bus bars, a current output topological structure is formed, which can provide a stable large current for one electrode assembly, and a plurality of current output topological structures can supply power to a plurality of electrode assemblies, so that requirement of a larger power supply current of the DC electric arc furnace can be satisfied; positions of top electrodes are judged and adjusted by the regulator according to real-time working parameters, which ensures that a lifting mechanism of the top electrodes can steadily perform the function of stabilizing arc burning for a long time; at the same time, output voltages and output currents of the rectifying units are adjusted by the regulator according to feedback of the real-time working parameters, so as to provide stable electric energy for the DC electric arc furnace.

The present invention provides a power supply device and a power supply method for a DC electric arc furnace, wherein the power supply device comprises phase-shifting rectifier transformers, rectifying units and a regulator; through a structural design of a plurality of branches and a plurality of rectifying units at an output end of each phase-shifting rectifier transformer, and a structural design that outputs of the plurality of rectifying units are connected in parallel and then connected to a power supply short network of a DC electric arc furnace through bus bars, a current output topological structure is formed, which can provide a stable large current for one electrode assembly, and a plurality of current output topological structures can supply power to a plurality of electrode assemblies, so that requirement of a larger power supply current of the DC electric arc furnace can be satisfied; positions of top electrodes are judged and adjusted by the regulator according to real-time working parameters, which ensures that a lifting mechanism of the top electrodes can steadily perform the function of stabilizing arc burning for a long time; at the same time, output voltages and output currents of the rectifying units are adjusted by the regulator according to feedback of the real-time working parameters, so as to provide stable electric energy for the DC electric arc furnace.

An assembly for pushing an electrode into a glass melting vessel can include a frame, a shaft, a pusher actuator, a contact mechanism, a master actuator, and a torque limiter. The contact mechanism can be attached to the shaft. The pusher actuator can be mounted to the frame and configured to cause translation of the shaft and the contact mechanism relative to the frame. The master actuator can be operatively connected to the pusher actuator such that operation of the master actuator causes operation of the pusher actuator. The torque limiter can be operatively connected between the master actuator and the pusher actuator, and can be configured to disengage when a rotational force on the master actuator exceeds a predetermined amount.

An assembly for pushing an electrode into a glass melting vessel can include a frame, a shaft, a pusher actuator, a contact mechanism, a master actuator, and a torque limiter. The contact mechanism can be attached to the shaft. The pusher actuator can be mounted to the frame and configured to cause translation of the shaft and the contact mechanism relative to the frame. The master actuator can be operatively connected to the pusher actuator such that operation of the master actuator causes operation of the pusher actuator. The torque limiter can be operatively connected between the master actuator and the pusher actuator, and can be configured to disengage when a rotational force on the master actuator exceeds a predetermined amount.

A lift plug for lifting a graphite electrode includes a main body and an insert coupled to one end of the main body, with the insert configured to mate with a graphite electrode to secure the lift plug to the graphite electrode. The lift plug also includes a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the insert to lift the graphite electrode. The insert comprises a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to graphite, such that the lift plug expands at a similar rate as the graphite electrode when heated so as to prevent locking at a joint between the lift plug and the graphite electrode.

A metallurgical furnace including a vessel with a lower shell for containing a metal bath, the metal bath composed of molten metal and an overlying layer of slag. The lower shell is tiltingly supported and provided with a deslagging opening for evacuating the slag and a tapping opening for tapping the molten metal. The vessel includes an upper shell removably positioned on the lower shell and first and second inlet openings for feeding. The vessel includes a closing roof for the upper closing of the vessel removably positioned on the upper shell and a passage opening for the passage, through the same, of at least one electrode, at least one charge opening for feeding, through the same, charge material in the solid state. At least one of the inlet openings, passage opening, and charge opening is closed or associated with a closing element.

A metallurgical furnace including a vessel with a lower shell for containing a metal bath, the metal bath composed of molten metal and an overlying layer of slag. The lower shell is tiltingly supported and provided with a deslagging opening for evacuating the slag and a tapping opening for tapping the molten metal. The vessel includes an upper shell removably positioned on the lower shell and first and second inlet openings for feeding. The vessel includes a closing roof for the upper closing of the vessel removably positioned on the upper shell and a passage opening for the passage, through the same, of at least one electrode, at least one charge opening for feeding, through the same, charge material in the solid state. At least one of the inlet openings, passage opening, and charge opening is closed or associated with a closing element.

A DC plasma arc furnace, a method of co-processing waste and metal, a method of producing energy by processing material using the furnace, and the products produced by the furnace are provided. Metal may be efficiently processed by the furnace via an increased organic content in other feedstock fed into the furnace.