Performance Analysis of an Induction Furnace Employing 12 Pulse Converter- A Case Study

The paper studies the performance of an induction furnace in a steel melting industrial unit by employing a 12 pulse converter in its power supply unit. Thus the furnace forms a non linear load and reflects all the negative effects associated with the inductive loads and power electronics based converter circuits. The performance analysis and harmonic measurements of the induction furnace under consideration with the existing setup of 12 pulse converter indicates that the specific consumption of the furnace is high when compared with the rated consumption, the distortions in the current and voltage waveform (THD) is beyond the permissible limits and that there is good scope for improvement in its performance and economy of operation. For improving the performance of this furnace, it is proposed to replace the existing 12 pulse converter with 24 pulse converter.