Method for Determining the Properties of the Content of an Arc Furnace

Abstract

In a method for determining a dividedness and/or position of a batch material ( 7 ) existing essentially in the solid phase in an arc furnace ( 1 ) having a furnace vessel ( 2 ), acoustic signals (N e , N g , N d ) are generated by an arc discharge ( 6 ) between an electrode ( 3 a , 3 b , 3 c ) and the batch material ( 7 ). The acoustic signals (N e , N g , N d ) reflected and/or transmitted through by the batch material ( 7 ) are measured by acoustic sensors ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 c , 5 e , 5 g , 5 h , 5 s , 5 t ), wherein at least one acoustic sensor ( 5 a , 5 b , 5 c , 5 e , 5 g , 5 h , 5 s , 5 t ) is provided per segment (S n ) of the furnace vessel ( 2 ) subdivided into a plurality of segments (S n ), and wherein the dividedness and/or position of the batch material ( 7 ) in the arc furnace ( 1 ) is determined by evaluating the measured acoustic signals (N e , N g , N d ).

1 . A method for determining a dividedness and/or position of a batch material existing essentially in the solid phase in an arc furnace having a furnace vessel, the method comprising the steps of:
 generator acoustic signals by an arc discharge between an electrode and the batch materials,   measuring the acoustic signals reflected and/or transmitted through by the batch material by means of acoustic sensor,   
     wherein at least one acoustic sensor is provided per segment of the furnace vessel subdivided into a plurality of segments, and wherein the dividedness and/or position of the batch material in the arc furnace is determined by evaluating the measured acoustic signals. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one acoustic sensor, which is arranged on the furnace vessel and on other parts of the arc furnace, is used for measuring the acoustic signals. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein electrical signals are additionally measured with the aid of at least one electrical sensor in order to determine the dividedness and/or position in the arc furnace. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein electrical signals are measured between at least two electrodes of the arc furnace by means of an electrical sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one acoustic sensor, which is arranged on the furnace vessel or the other parts of the arc furnace, is used for measuring the acoustic signals. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurement values and data obtained from the measurement values are stored in a database for early detection of a collapse of the batch material. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein measurement values and data obtained from the measurement values are compared with measurement values and with data which are stored in the database. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: using the determined dividedness and/or position of the batch material of arc furnace for controlling or regulating the arc furnace. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein, wherein, in order to avoid breakage of one or more of the electrodes, the energy supply to the electrodes is regulated. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the position of the electrodes is regulated. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the arc furnace is deliberately operated asymmetrically. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the supply of chemical energy into the arc furnace is regulated. 
   
   
       13 . A device for determining a dividedness and/or position of a batch material existing essentially in the solid phase in an arc furnace having a furnace vessel, comprising:
 means for generating acoustic signals by an arc discharge between an electrode and the batch material,   acoustic sensors for measuring the acoustic signals reflected and/or transmitted through by the batch material, wherein at least one acoustic sensor is provided per segment of the furnace vessel subdivided into a plurality of segments, and wherein the dividedness and/or position of the batch material in the arc furnace is determined by evaluating the measured acoustic signals.   
   
   
       14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one acoustic sensor, which is arranged on the furnace vessel and on other parts of the arc furnace, is used for measuring the acoustic signals. 
   
   
       15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein electrical signals are additionally measured with the aid of at least one electrical sensor in order to determine the dividedness and/or position in the arc furnace. 
   
   
       16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein electrical signals are measured between at least two electrodes of the arc furnace by means of an electrical sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein at least one acoustic sensor, which is arranged on the furnace vessel or on other parts of the arc furnace, is used for measuring the acoustic signals. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurement values and data obtained from the measurement values are stored in a database for early detection of a collapse of the batch material. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurement values or data obtained from the measurement values are stored in a database for early detection of a collapse of the batch material. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein measurement values or data obtained from the measurement values are compared with measurement values or with data which are stored in the database.