Some embodiments described here concern a method for melting metal material in an electric arc furnace, which includes a step of loading solid metal material into the electric furnace, a step of powering the electric furnace and of generating an electric arc between at least one electrode and the metal material, and a step of melting the solid metal material to obtain molten material. Some embodiments described here concern an apparatus for melting metal material including an electric arc furnace and an electric power supply apparatus suitable to power the electric furnace.

This application addresses an integrated smart system to control the variables involved in the process for melting mineral concentrates. Specifically, it addresses an integrated smart system that allows the whole melting process operation to be controlled, measuring the mineralogical quality and quantity of the concentrate that is injected into the melting furnace, as well as variables such as the temperature, the level of the liquid phases and the percentage of copper within the furnace. In this manner, by reading said variables, it acts autonomously on manipulated variables, considering uncertainties, allowing a stable temperature to be maintained in the reactor, allowing products to be obtained at the required quality and controlling the liquid phases therein, among other controlled variables, to achieve efficient melting.

An improved apparatus for producing steel, including a lower furnace, an annular, water-cooled, fireproof lined cylindrical upper furnace, on which an upwardly closing conically tapering hat having openings can be placed. The smelting assembly is configured for the operational mode without melt flow and the operational mode with melt flow. To this end, at least one opening is provided in the conical furnace cover, through which opening at least one top lance can be introduced into the upper furnace. A plurality of sidewall injectors radially rotate around the cylindrical upper furnace in such a way that in a working position, the top lance and the sidewall injectors are directed onto a smelt level of a molten mass located in the lower furnace for refining.

A furnace assembly for a metal-making process, including: an electric arc furnace configured for flat bath operation and having a bottom, and an electromagnetic stirrer configured to be arranged underneath the bottom of the electric arc furnace to enable stirring of molten metal in the electric arc furnace.

Converter device configured to convert direct voltage and current into alternating voltage and current to be supplied to a load (L). The converter device comprises a bank (11) of capacitors (12), a plurality of power semiconductors (13), a heat sink (14) and a casing (15).

This electric furnace includes one or more upper electrodes, one or more bottom-blowing tuyeres, a mechanical stirrer equipped with an impeller, and a charging device which injects an iron oxide-containing iron raw material.

Apparatuses for interfacing with an electrode provided with a melting furnace including a vessel and an electrode. In some embodiments, a support assembly (50) supports the electrode outside of the vessel, and includes a cart (102) or similar apparatus that permits or facilitates selective vertical movement of the electrode and selective transverse movement of the electrode. In some embodiments, a push assembly (52) interfaces with a rear face of the electrode outside of the vessel, and is operable to apply a pushing force onto the rear face. The push assembly can include one or more tracks (e.g., threaded screw) that supports a body between opposing arms of a fixed frame. The body can translate along the tracks to apply a pushing force onto the electrode.

A vacuum arc remelt apparatus comprising a crucible having a wall, said wall having an interior and an exterior opposite said interior; an electrode within the crucible proximate the interior; an ingot within the crucible and below the electrode, wherein said ingot includes a crown and shelf; and a vibration source at the exterior of the crucible proximate the crown and shelf.

A system and method is disclosed for monitoring graphite electrodes for use in an electric arc furnace includes receiving an electrode identifiers from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader configured to interrogate RFID tags in the vicinity of an electric arc furnace (EAF), wherein the RFID tags are attached to electrodes. The electrode identifier is associated with EAF data collected from the EAF and the association is stored in a memory. The association is used for generating current and past operating parameters of the electric arc furnace for specific electrodes. Data for each specific electrode used in the EAF can also be collected for determining performance parameters for specific electrodes.

A system including a graphite electrode having a graphite body with first and second opposed ends. The electrode further includes a threaded connector positioned at one of the first or second ends, and a tag coupled to or positioned in the threaded connector, wherein the tag is configured to transmit a signal including information relating to the electrode.