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Characterization of Process Conditions in Industrial Stainless Steelmaking Electric Arc Furnace Using Optical Emission Spectrum Measurements

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Abstract

Emission spectroscopy is a potential method for gaining information on electric arc furnace (EAF) process conditions. Previous studies published in literature on industrial EAF emission spectra have focused on a smaller scales and DC arc furnaces. In this study emission spectrum measurements were conducted for 140t AC stainless steelmaking EAF at Outokumpu Stainless Oy, Tornio Works, Finland. Four basic types of emission spectra were obtained during the EAF process cycle. The first one is obscured by scrap steel, the second is dominated by thermal radiation of the slag, the third is dominated by alkali peaks and sodium D-lines and the fourth is characterized by multiple atomic emission peaks. The atomic emission peaks were identified by comparing them to the NIST database for atomic emission lines and previous laboratory measurements on EAF slag emission spectra. The comparison shows that the optic emission of an arc is dominated by slag components. Plasma conditions were analyzed by deriving plasma temperature from optical emissions of Ca I lines. The analysis suggests that accurate information on plasma conditions can be gained from outer plasma having a plasma temperature below 7000 K (6727 °C).

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Acknowledgments

This research is part of the “Fluorescence measurement of EAF” project. It is coordinated by the University of Oulu, Laboratory of Process Metallurgy. The Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation (TEKES) is acknowledged for funding this work. Mr. Juho Kunelius from Outokumpu Stainless Oy, Tornio Works, is acknowledged for his indispensable help in organizing the industrial tests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Process Metallurgy, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

    Matti Aula (Doctoral Student), Ahti Leppänen (Doctoral Student), Juha Roininen (Researcher), Eetu-Pekka Heikkinen (University Lecturer) & Timo Fabritius (Professor)

  2. Outokumpu Stainless Oy, Tornio, Finland

    Kimmo Vallo (Development Engineer)

  3. Electron Spectroscopy Group, University of Oulu, Tornio, Finland

    Marko Huttula (Professor)

Authors
  1. Matti Aula
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  2. Ahti Leppänen
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  3. Juha Roininen
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  4. Eetu-Pekka Heikkinen
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  5. Kimmo Vallo
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  6. Timo Fabritius
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  7. Marko Huttula
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matti Aula.

Additional information

Manuscript submitted January 16, 2014.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table A1.

Table A1 NIST Identified Peaks Ordered by Their Wave lengths[17]
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Aula, M., Leppänen, A., Roininen, J. et al. Characterization of Process Conditions in Industrial Stainless Steelmaking Electric Arc Furnace Using Optical Emission Spectrum Measurements. Metall Mater Trans B 45, 839–849 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11663-014-0032-0

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