Do you know what an electric arc furnace (EAF) is and what advantages it has? EAFs are used for steelmaking, and there are various types with different steelmaking methods. A DC electric arc furnace (DC EAF) uses direct current as its power source. Let’s take a closer look at its advantages.
A DC EAF melts steel or alloys by generating heat from the electric arc between the electrode and the furnace charge (or molten pool), similar to an AC EAF.
Compared with traditional AC electric arc furnaces, the main advantages of DC EAFs are:
- Stable and concentrated arcs – The molten pool is well-stirred, the temperature distribution is uniform, and furnace lining erosion is minimal.
- Reduced electrical fluctuations – DC EAFs have lower current and voltage variations, which reduces the impact on the power grid and prolongs cable life.
- Lower electrode consumption – Electrode usage per ton of steel is about 50% less than that of an AC EAF.
Although DC EAFs outperform AC EAFs in performance, their development has historically been limited by the availability of high-power DC power supplies.
These are the key advantages of DC electric arc furnaces.