A Method of Examining in Detail Electric Arc Furnace Performance

A method of data acquisition and analysis is described that has been developed to assess in detail the performance of electric arc furnaces. The method has been implemented on a small single user minicomputer (a PDP 11/40) and on a large mainframe (an IBM 3033). The method was specifically developed in order to determine reliable statistical parameters that can be used to characterize arc furnace performance. The method is outlined, and its use is illustrated using data recorded on magnetic tape at the new Iron and Steel Company of Trinidad and Tobago (ISCOTT) plant. Results are presented that illustrate the operation of the ISCOTT furnace for scrap and pellet feed.