Automation of SMART-ARC arc furnace control
With the SMART-ARC ARC CONTROLLER, it is possible to meet today’s most important requirements such as quality and cost optimization. The main benefits include the following:
Advantages of the ARC CONTROL:
Reducing power consumption over time
Reduced energy consumption
Reduced consumption of electrodes
Minimum electrode failure rate
Increased service life of ladle furnace walls
Reducing the load on the equipment of the ladle furnace
The SMART-ARC ARC CONTROL system performs the following main functions:
- three independent impedance controls (one for each phase)
- one additional overcurrent regulator
- short circuit detection and accelerated electrode lifting
- set value memory
- a range of protection functions for the furnace switch, stage switch, etc.
Hardware base
The electrode controller is based on SIMATICS7-400. To collect secondary voltage and current values, the scope of delivery includes voltage transformers, coils and Rogowski integrators as current sensors.
Communication
An Industrial Ethernet communication interface is provided for transferring relevant operating data and parameters to other PLCs or computers.
Current Data Collection
Secondary currents are measured using Rogowski coils:
- Rogowski coils – 3 pcs
- Rogowski integrator – 3 pcs
- Measuring transducers – 3 pcs
The measuring transducers convert the current signals of the short circuit into normalized 4-20 mA signals for transmission to the controller.
Voltage data acquisition
Data collection on the secondary voltage is carried out through a transformer cabinet equipped with three voltage transformers, a system of arresters and fuses, measuring signal converters. Measuring transducers convert voltage signals of a short circuit into normalized signals of 4 – 20 mA for transmission to the controller.
System Software
The controller software is implemented on the basis of the STEP7 standard engineering package using a graphic design language called CFC (Continuous Flow Chart).
The system software was chosen as the platform capable of realizing the new control philosophy and meeting the requirements of the future.
The proposed software package should be considered as ready-made software, to which no working documentation is attached. The package provides access to all parameters and setpoints necessary for operation, so no changes or modifications to any program steps are required. Updates and/or upgrades of the package are made only by the Contractor.