Abstract: A method for controlling a melt process in an arc furnace, including a signal processing component, program code, and data medium for performing the method. Sound signals or vibrations from the interior of the furnace container are captured by solid-borne sound sensors, from which characteristic values can be derived representing the distribution of melting material, melt, and slag in the furnace fill. A characteristic values are generated in priority sequence for: thermal radiation impinging on the furnace wall of the container, the lumpiness of the melting material in the volume of furnace fill, and the change to the portion of solid melting material contacting the furnace wall. The energy distribution at the electrodes is chanced by a control system based on the characteristic values in priority sequence, such that thermal load peaks are dampened or even completely prevented.

Abstract: An electric arc furnace, signal processing device, storage medium, machine-readable program code, and method for determining a time for charging (e.g., recharging) an electric arc furnace with material to be melted (e.g., scrap) are provided. The electric arc furnace may include electrode(s) for heating material inside the electric arc furnace by an electric arc. By detecting a signal for determining a phase state of an electric arc root on the side of the material to be melted based on a captured electrode current, by checking whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value for a predetermined minimum duration, and by ensuring that the charging time is reached at the earliest when the signal exceeds the predetermined minimum duration threshold value, a state-oriented charging time for an electric arc furnace can be determined to reduce energy use, resource use, and production time for a production cycle to reach a tap weight.

Abstract: An arc furnace, a control and/or regulating device for an arc furnace, and a method for operating an arc furnace are provided, wherein an arc for melting metal is generated by at least one electrode, wherein an arc associated with the electrode(s) has a first radiation power based on preselected operating parameters, wherein the arc furnace is operated according to a predefined operating program based on an expected process sequence, wherein monitoring is performed to detect whether an undesirable deviation exists between the actual process sequence and the expected process sequence. Because a modified second radiation power is specified if a deviation is present, and a modified second set of operating parameters, e.g., impedance value(s), is determined based on the modified second radiation power, a method is provided that permits a minimal melting time while minimizing consumption of operating resources, e.g., with respect to arc furnace cooling.

Abstract: A method for controlling a melt process in an arc furnace and signal processing component, program code, and data medium for performing said method are provided. According to the method, sound signals or vibrations from the interior of the furnace container are captured by solid-borne sound sensors, from which characteristic values can be derived for the distribution of melting material, melt, and slag in the furnace fill. A characteristic value SM for thermal radiation impinging on the furnace wall of the container, a characteristic value M for the lumpiness of the melting material in the volume of furnace fill, and a characteristic value MM for the change to the portion of solid melting material contacting the furnace wall are generated in priority sequence. The energy distribution at the electrodes is changed by a control system analyzing the characteristic values in priority sequence, such that thermal load peaks are dampened or even completely prevented.

Abstract: In a melting furnace, a vibration inducer is installed on a furnace vessel, a sensor is arranged opposite or at another place on the furnace vessel and a signal recording and calculation unit is connected to the vibration inducer and the sensor. The melting process can be monitored and the progress of melting can be measured by measuring the signals of the vibration inducement after having passed through the interior of the furnace by this sensor and evaluating the signals of the signal recording and calculation unit. Thus, process-controlled, state-oriented regulation of the melting process can be carried out and the electric arc power is optimally matched to the respective state of the melting process. The signal of the sensor is preferably correlated with the excitation signal of the vibration inducer and/or conclusions are drawn about the melting process by combined evaluation of the vibration inducement and the measured vibration.