Series Reactors
Series Reactor for
Electric Arc Furnace
Arc furnaces are extensively used in the steel industry to melt scrap metal, in foundries to obtain cast iron, and also in research laboratories. The operation of the arc furnace is modified in terms of longer arc, lower currents, and lower electrode consumption by using series reactors in the system.
Reasons why this implementation is beneficial are:
- To obtain a stabilized Arc in the furnace, the desired power factor should be less than 0.8. The Steel industry standard is normally 0.77-0.78. Hence, in order to reduce PF, a series inductance is required; a primary reason why the inductor is used.
- A series inductor acts a smoothing coil reducing flicker and distortion in the voltage profile, and thus gives better voltage regulation. It also acts as a protective device during a short circuiting of electrodes. Impedance of the reactor helps in reducing a short circuit current.
- Series Reactors aids the furnace operation with longer arcing cycle and reduces electrode consumption, especially in the initial melting period.
- Increasing source impedance reduces electrode consumption and reduces tap-to-tap time Simply put, it reduces the melting cycle.
