Series reactors for electric arc furnaces
Series reactors are connected in the electric arc furnace supply circuit in series with the furnace transformer to stabilise the arc. A built example has 20.7/24.84 Mvar at 34.5 kV. They are used in AC steelmaking arc furnaces, ladle furnaces and ferroalloy furnaces.
- Example
- 20.7/24.84 Mvar, 34.5 kV
- Purpose
- arc stabilisation, improved melting efficiency
- Design
- oil-filled, supplied with the furnace transformer
Price, availability and lead time on request. We help with analogue selection, customs clearance and delivery.
Description
Series reactors are intended for connection in the supply circuit of an electric arc furnace in series with the furnace transformer. They stabilise the electric arc and improve melting performance. The additional inductive reactance limits current surges during short circuits of the electrodes on the charge, reduces power fluctuations and increases the stability of the arc in the initial melting phase.
Reactors are supplied both as separate units and together with furnace transformers. An example of a real project is two furnace transformers of 157/172 MVA and a series reactor of 20.7/24.84 Mvar at 34.5 kV made for a steelmaking plant in the USA. The manufacturer carried out design, documentation, supervision of installation and site acceptance tests (SAT). The design is oil-filled, supplied together with the furnace transformer. The arc furnace duty is uneven: in the initial melting phase the arc is unstable, the electrodes often short to the charge, and the grid experiences sharp power fluctuations. The reactor damps part of these fluctuations, so the furnace transformer works in a calmer mode.
Like furnace transformers, the reactors are designed for the parameters of a specific furnace and grid. The manufacturer's design department works closely with production to adapt the design to the development of furnace technology. The rating and voltage of the reactor are selected together with the furnace transformer so that the arc mode and the electrode short-circuit current stay within the set limits. The reactor is connected in series with the primary winding of the furnace transformer, so its rated current must match the furnace current, and the voltage is matched to the supply grid, 34.5 kV in the example. The reactor works under furnace current, so it is designed for long-term loads and frequent current surges during melting.
The manufacturer carries out design, manufacture, installation and support of the equipment throughout its whole life cycle, including supervision of installation and testing on site. The products are made at Italian plants with a certified ISO 9001 management system. In a complete supply, the reactor and transformer are tested together to confirm matched characteristics. Applications are AC steelmaking arc furnaces, ladle furnaces and ferroalloy furnaces.
Technical specifications
| Example | 20.7/24.84 Mvar, 34.5 kV |
|---|---|
| Purpose | arc stabilisation, improved melting efficiency |
| Design | oil-filled, supplied with the furnace transformer |
Replacement for
no direct analogue; the closest are dry РБ, РБА 6–10 kV and reactors within ЭТЦП furnace installations
selected by purpose and main parameters, please confirm with our manager
Request a price and lead time
Series reactors for electric arc furnaces. We reply within one business day.
Or email sales@usk.ua or call 044 339-50-20.
Questions and answers
Why is a series reactor needed in an arc furnace circuit?
The additional inductive reactance stabilises the arc, limits current surges during short circuits of the electrodes on the charge and reduces power fluctuations.
What parameters does the built reactor have?
The example project for a US steelmaking plant has 20.7/24.84 Mvar at 34.5 kV, together with two furnace transformers of 157/172 MVA.
For which furnaces are series reactors used?
For AC steelmaking arc furnaces, ladle furnaces and ferroalloy furnaces. The reactor is supplied separately or together with the furnace transformer.
Similar equipment from other manufacturers
