Electrodes Handling

Electrodes Handling

22 March, 2019

An electric arc furnace (EAF) is a type of metallurgical furnace which makes use of an electrical arc to heat the material, mostly metal ore or scrap metal in the production of steel. Metallurgical Furnaces can be heated with different heat sources but in the EAF unlike than the induction steel furnace, the charged metal is directly heated by the electrical arc and with the electric current running from the furnace’s terminals through the charged material. The furnace consists of the following basic parts:

Shell
Hearth
Retractable roof

The electrode support, electric system, furnace transformer and tilting table is separate from the furnace.

Electrodes Handling

The lifting and transporting process of electrodes in an electric arc furnace is not an easy task. In our latest example of how automated processes improve safety and increase productivity in different lifting operations, two patented evo10c automatic lifting hooks with Power Magnet and Rigid Safety Latch along with a Heat Shield ensured that the complete handling process of the electrodes was successful.

The two evo10c automatic lifting hooks were set-up with a power magnet and rigid safety latch. This option eases the approach and positioning on the electrodes’s lifting point. Meanwhile, the heat shield protected the hook and its electronic components from the radiated heat and extended temperature working range.

The safety hooks were also equipped with the position encoder which informed of the hook’s position during the complete process. The hooks also carried load cells which represent an additional safety measure. These load cells controlled and informed of the weight that was being lifted during the different stages of the process. Last but not least, a higher working temperature range battery (evo1700T), able to support temperatures of up to 80ºC/176ºF, was used to withstand the high temperature.

Get a clearer view of the complete process in the below video and don’t forget to check the evo automatic lifting hook product page here.