1 The consumption mechanism of graphite electrodes
Graphite electrode is used as a conductive material in electric arc furnace training, and its cost is proportional to the cost of electrical work. Modern electric arc furnace steelmaking uses electric energy and chemical energy as thermal energy to complete the intention of four removals (P, C, O, S), two removals (gas, impurities), and two adjustments (temperature, composition) in the steelmaking process. The performance of the graphite electrode is mainly reflected in its applicability and cost, and the cost of the electrode is directly related to its own quality. The consumption of graphite electrodes in electric arc furnace training mainly consists of the following parts.
With the rapid development of China’s economy, the demand for special steels from all walks of life has become more and more extensive, resulting in the rapid development of electric arc furnace steelmaking technology. Large-capacity ultra-high-power electric arc furnaces and large-scale out-of-furnace essence technologies have become the symbol of the modern steel industry. . There are 18 domestic roughing electric arc furnaces above 100T, with a transformer capacity of 65~150MV*A; about 30 electric arc furnaces with a capacity of 50~100T, and a transformer capacity of 35~85MV*A; 126 sets of LF smelting furnaces with a capacity of 40~300T. The transformer capacity is 10~45MN*A. These electric furnaces all use different specifications of ultra-high power graphite electrodes. With the continuous improvement of arc power and continuous optimization of training technology, the requirements for the physical and chemical targets of graphite electrodes are getting higher and higher and the cost targets are getting lower and lower. From the point of view of the average consumption level of the large-scale and large-capacity ultra-high-power electric arc furnace, the electrode consumption per ton of steel has dropped from the previous average 3.5KG/T to 1.2KG/T, while the average consumption of the LF furnace is lower than 0.5KG/T . Because the graphite electrode occupies a certain cost share in the exercise and consumes a lot of money, all manufacturers are very interested in the consumption and use of graphite electrodes, and they are also included in the production as an important assessment target. This article analyzes the consumption and use of graphite electrodes in steelmaking.