13 kA SCR DC Power Supply in DC Arc Furnaces for Precious Metal Smelting

Industry: Precious metal smelting  |  Equipment: DC arc furnace  |  Product: 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply

Kulun Electric’s 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply has been applied in the Guiyan precious metal smelting project in Yimen, Yunnan and a precious metal smelting project in Dongying, Shandong, mainly providing high-current DC power for DC arc furnaces. For precious metal smelting conditions of fast load fluctuation, high current impact and demanding continuous operation reliability, the power system emphasizes output stability, dynamic response and impact resistance to meet the DC arc furnace’s need for a stable arc and sustained high-current supply.

1. Project Overview

2. Application Background

The DC arc furnace is one of the key thermal devices in precious and non-ferrous metal smelting. During smelting, the power system must continuously deliver high-current DC output; its stability, dynamic response speed and impact resistance directly affect arc stability, melt pool condition and the reliability of the whole smelting system.

Compared with AC arc furnaces, DC arc furnaces cause relatively less grid disturbance, impact and flicker. The DC arc is also more concentrated and stable, helping improve melt pool stirring and temperature distribution. The matching supply therefore needs not only stable high-current output but also fast response and strong load impact resistance.

3. Requirements & Technical Challenges

For this application, the heating and power control system had to address the following points:

• Fast load variation: Arc conditions change continuously during smelting; the supply must adjust output promptly to minimize load fluctuation effects on the process.
• High inrush current: Noticeable current impact can occur at arc striking and during operation, requiring strong impact resistance.
• High output stability requirement: Under high-current smelting, the supply must maintain sustained stable output to keep the arc and melting process stable.
• Continuous operation reliability: Precious metal smelting equipment typically runs continuously, so the power system must adapt to long-term industrial operation.

4. KULUN Solution

For the actual conditions of DC arc furnaces in precious metal smelting, Kulun Electric adopted the 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply to provide high-current DC power.

The solution is configured for significant load fluctuation, high current impact and long-term continuous operation, balancing output stability, dynamic response, impact resistance and industrial reliability.

Key Features of the Solution

• High-current DC output. Meets the high-current supply needs of DC arc furnaces, suiting heavy industrial loads such as precious metal smelting.
• Fast dynamic response. Adjusts output promptly against rapid arc load changes, meeting smelting dynamic response requirements.
• Stable output. Continuously delivers stable high-current DC output, improving arc and smelting process stability.
• Strong impact resistance. Withstands sudden load changes and large current impacts during precious metal smelting.
• Reduced grid impact. DC arc furnaces cause relatively less grid impact and flicker than AC arc furnaces.
• Built for continuous industrial operation. Configured for long continuous production scenarios such as precious metal smelting.

5. Reference Projects

The 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply has been put into actual use in several precious metal smelting projects, mainly providing stable high-current DC power for DC arc furnaces.

1. Yimen, Yunnan | Guiyan precious metal smelting project

In this project, the Kulun 13 kA SCR DC power supply feeds the DC arc furnace. Against fast load variation and pronounced current impact in precious metal smelting, the supply adapts to site conditions with stable high-current DC output and fast regulation, meeting continuous furnace operation.

2. Dongying, Shandong | Precious metal smelting project

In this project, a similar 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply serves the DC power system of precious metal smelting equipment. Against continuous production, load fluctuation and current impact, the system emphasizes high-current output stability, dynamic response and industrial reliability, meeting the supply requirements of the DC arc furnace smelting process.

6. Project Site

13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply applied in the Guiyan precious metal smelting project, Yimen, Yunnan

13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply applied in the precious metal smelting project, Dongying, Shandong

7. Results

After the 13 kA SCR thyristor DC power supply was applied to DC arc furnaces in precious metal smelting, the equipment gained sustained, stable high-current DC power, meeting smelting requirements for fast response, output stability and impact resistance.

• Meets 13 kA-class high-current supply requirements of DC arc furnaces;
• Adapts to fast load variation and current impact during smelting;
• Helps keep the DC arc stable and improve smelting process stability;
• Reduces grid impact and flicker during DC arc furnace operation;
• Meets continuous industrial operation requirements of precious metal smelting equipment.

Note: Actual parameters and performance vary with equipment structure, load characteristics, smelting process, site package conditions and control requirements.

8. Applicable Scenarios

Beyond DC arc furnaces for precious metal smelting, this class of high-power SCR thyristor DC supply can be selected by voltage, current, power and control requirements for a range of industrial high-current DC power applications.

• DC arc furnaces for precious metal smelting
• Non-ferrous metal smelting equipment
• Industrial arc furnaces and high-impact DC loads
• High-current DC power systems such as electrolysis and electroplating
• Industrial equipment packages requiring stable high-current output

9. FAQ