Digital current control of electric arc furnace by parallel modular three-phase IGBT inverters

Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) have been traditionally fed by means of a medium to low voltage transformer (between grid and electrodes), where the main control action consists of modifying the electrodes vertical position. This simple and robust arrangement suffers from grid “pollution” and poor current control. Current control of EAF by means of three phase modular inverters is reported here for the first time. Several control issues are analyzed and addressed, ranging from pure control (e.g. addressing load imbalance and limits due to low switching frequency) to system management. Two different current regulation methods are proposed and compared, namely a scalar approach and a vector method using “quasi zero phase lag” sampling and gains adaptation. The second technique achieves very good control, leading to lower oversizing of the converter stage and process optimization. Simulations have been performed including digital controller architecture, converters and arc electrical behavior. Preliminary experimental measurements are reported based on an actual plant.