Last edit: 03/08/2023
The electric arc furnace operates as a batch melting process producing batches of molten steel known "heats". The electric arc furnace operating cycle is called the tap-to-tap cycle and is made up of the following operations:
- Furnace charging
- Melting
- Refining
- De-slagging
- Tapping
- Furnace turn-around
Modern operations aim for a tap-to-tap time of less than 60 minutes. Some twin shell furnace operations are achieving tap-to-tap times of 35 to 40 minutes.
The safety of the Electric Arc Furneces is under the Machinery Directive and among the main Harmonised Technical Norms we can mention: EN 14681 and EN 60204-11
The former however does not give enough direction how to handle, safely, the access to the Furnace during Operation and Maintenance, considering the fact, it often happens, that multiple teams operate at the same time around the Furnace.
We therefore advise follow the EN 12100 as well as several B-Type norms.
GT Engineering has done a few Risk analysis of Electric Arc Furnaces, both in new and in already installed processes. You may give us a call for an introductory discussion.