Dynamic Heat Flow and Current Distribution Analysis in the Bottom Anode of an Electric Arc Furnace using Fiber-Optic Sensors

Abstract

A reliable method for monitoring bottom anode wear during DC Electric Arc Furnace (DC-EAF) operation is of critical importance for safe and efficient steel production. Underestimation of bottom wear poses a serious safety risk that must be avoided, while overestimation of bottom wear also poses challenges, as premature anode replacement is expensive and affects EAF productivity. Previously, we demonstrated that fiber-optic sensors can be successfully deployed to create a spatially distributed temperature map to monitor the health of the anode. The present work explores the heat flow and current density distribution in bottom anode pins to predict bottom wear, steel penetration events, and monitor refractory erosion. Small dynamic variations in pin temperature induced by joule heating during arcing also provide a means to observe local current flows in each pin. When mapped, these measurements provide a real-time view of the non-uniform and dynamic current flow in the bottom anode during EAF operation that can affect bottom wear.

Department(s)

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Second Department

Materials Science and Engineering

Comments

U.S. Department of Energy, Grant DE-EE0009392

Keywords and Phrases

Bottom Anode; Current Density; Electric Arc Furnace (EAF); Fiber Optic Sensors; Refractory wear; Spatial Resolution; Temperature Distribution

International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

978-093076737-2

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1551-6997

Document Type

Article - Conference proceedings

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2025 Association for Iron and Steel Technology, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2025

Link to Full Text

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