Method and apparatus for operating a furnace

摘要

A direct current electric arc furnace for melting or heating raw material or molten material. The furnace includes a refractory lined vessel for holding raw or molten material. The vessel has at least an old furnace shell having a bottom electrode which is replaceable with a new furnace shell having a bottom electrode such that the new furnace shell is placed in an operating position and replaces the old furnace shell. The furnace includes at least a first top electrode. The furnace includes at least a first bottom electrode mounted in the bottom of the vessel and in electrical contact with the raw or molten material in the vessel. The furnace includes an electrical power supply mechanism which electrically connects to the top electrode and the bottom electrode in order to input electrical energy into the materials through the top and bottom electrode and the form of an arc. The bottom electrode has opposite electrical polarity to the electrical polarity of the top electrode. The furnace also includes a repair area to receive the old furnace shell. The repair area has a mechanism for separating the bottom electrode of the old furnace shell from the old furnace shell. The repair area is remote from the vessel. The furnace includes a mechanism for moving the old furnace shell between the vessel and the repair area. A method for operating a direct current arc furnace.