Provided are a method and an arrangement for measurement of electrode paste in an electrode column of an electric arc furnace. The electrode column comprises a steel casing surrounding the electrode paste and said electrode column is provided with a contact shoe ring to conduct electric current to the electrode. The electrode column is filled with electrode paste. The electrode paste evolves through different phases, from raw paste in the upper part of the steel casing to melted paste and further to baked paste in the lower part of the electrode column. The level of the raw paste is determined with a first laser device and the level of the molten paste is determined with a second laser device. The data received from the laser devices is used for calculation of the distances of the levels of the raw paste and molten paste from the contact shoe ring.

Provided are a method and an arrangement for measurement of electrode paste in an electrode column of an electric arc furnace. The electrode column comprises a steel casing surrounding the electrode paste and said electrode column is provided with a contact shoe ring to conduct electric current to the electrode. The electrode column is filled with electrode paste. The electrode paste evolves through different phases, from raw paste in the upper part of the steel casing to melted paste and further to baked paste in the lower part of the electrode column. The level of the raw paste is determined with a first laser device and the level of the molten paste is determined with a second laser device. The data received from the laser devices is used for calculation of the distances of the levels of the raw paste and molten paste from the contact shoe ring.

A control system for a vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process for a metal includes a direct current (DC) power source, a ram drive, voltage drip short sensor, and a controller, which includes a processor. The drip short sensor may be configured to measure a drip short frequency of the electric arc over a period of time. The controller is configured to determine a real time arc gap length between the electrode tip and the melt pool based on a correlation between the drip short frequency and arc gap length. The controller is further configured to control power input to the electrode by the DC power supply by determining an input power level to input to the electrode based on the real time arc gap length, the input power level configured to generate a desired arc gap length, by the DC power supply, at the input power level.

A control system for a vacuum arc remelting (VAR) process for a metal includes a direct current (DC) power source, a ram drive, voltage drip short sensor, and a controller, which includes a processor. The drip short sensor may be configured to measure a drip short frequency of the electric arc over a period of time. The controller is configured to determine a real time arc gap length between the electrode tip and the melt pool based on a correlation between the drip short frequency and arc gap length. The controller is further configured to control power input to the electrode by the DC power supply by determining an input power level to input to the electrode based on the real time arc gap length, the input power level configured to generate a desired arc gap length, by the DC power supply, at the input power level.

An electrode joining apparatus for joining a free electrode to a fixed electrode. The electrode joining apparatus includes an electrode holder configured to selectively hold the fixed electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder, the torque device configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the electrodes. The electrode joining apparatus can include an axial passage defined through the electrode holder and the torque device. A retractable spacer can be movably connected to the electrode joining apparatus, the retractable spacer configured to selectively move into the axial passage. The retractable spacer can be used to form a gap between the free electrode and the fixed electrode before the joining process is initiated. Electrode joining apparatus can also include a spacer drive mechanism coupled to the retractable spacer, the spacer drive mechanism configured to selectively move the retractable spacer into the axial passage.

An electrode joining apparatus for joining a fixed electrode and a free electrode including an electrode holder configured to receive the fixed electrode and a torque device positioned above the electrode holder. The torque device is configured to grip and spin the free electrode to join the free electrode to the fixed electrode. A force sensor is coupled to the torque device. The torque device is configured to apply a force on the force sensor when the torque device engages the free electrode. The force sensor can detect a feedback force signal representative of the force applied by the torque device on the free electrode. The feedback force signal can be used to determine the torque applied to the free electrode by the torque device to help ensure that a proper joint is formed between the free electrode and the fixed electrode.

A device for positioning at least one electrode for smelting furnaces includes a container made of metal structural work lined with refractory material (crucible) and a water-cooled structure and by a lid or roof with which vertical electrodes are associated, each one being slideably associated with temporary locking elements, such as a column locking clamp. The device is arranged to the side of a smelting furnace and below a parking position of the electrodes in the periods of interruption of operation of the smelting furnace. The device is constituted by a fixed base with which at least one lifting element, which can slide vertically with respect to the fixed base and is provided with elements that are adapted to determine its position in terms of height and is provided with a load cell, is associated in an upper region.

A device for positioning at least one electrode for smelting furnaces includes a container made of metal structural work lined with refractory material (crucible) and a water-cooled structure and by a lid or roof with which vertical electrodes are associated, each one being slideably associated with temporary locking elements, such as a column locking clamp. The device is arranged to the side of a smelting furnace and below a parking position of the electrodes in the periods of interruption of operation of the smelting furnace. The device is constituted by a fixed base with which at least one lifting element, which can slide vertically with respect to the fixed base and is provided with elements that are adapted to determine its position in terms of height and is provided with a load cell, is associated in an upper region.

A welding electrode holder is provided. The welding electrode holder comprises a handle and electrode clamps extending nearly perpendicularly from the handle, thereby providing easy loading and unloading of electrodes, coupled with secure holding of the electrode during operation.

A furnace for a substrate glass based on molybdenum electrode heating and an anti-oxidation method therefor are disclosed. The furnace includes a furnace body and a plurality of pairs of molybdenum electrodes. The molybdenum electrodes are inserted in a furnace bottom of the furnace body. One end of each molybdenum electrode located inside the furnace body is provided with a sealing sheet. A sealing gap is provided between each molybdenum electrode and the furnace bottom, the sealing gap is filled with cullet powder; and a water cooling system is provided on an outer side of a portion of each molybdenum electrode located outside the furnace body. The water cooling system includes a cooling water inlet pipe and a cooling water return pipe forming a circuit disposed on the outer side of the portion of each molybdenum electrode; and thermocouples are provided on two sides of the water cooling system.