ENERGY CONSIDERATIONS IN ELECTRIC FURNACE OPERATION.
Abstract
An approach is presented which examines the energy use and economics of the electric arc furnace steelmaking operation. The formulation takes into account the furnace design characteristics and production parameters. Some process developments relating to energy use such as oxygen injection, scrap preheating and oxyfuel burners are evaluated in terms of economic implications. The economic analysis of oxygen use during melting can be carried out in order to evaluate the merits of increase or decrease in blowing time or the rate of oxygen consumption per tonne of steel. Excess use of oxygen beyond refining requirements is not economical if the furnace is not operating at full capacity, unless the cost of oxygen is much lower and cost of electric power is much higher than current rates. In general it is difficult to justify scrap preheating using external fuel.