Sammendrag
Very little research on Søderberg electrodes has been published in the journal peer reviewed
public domain. The main aim of this work is to characterise a Søderberg electrode that was cut off
approximately 0.5 m below the contacts shoes of a submerged arc furnace. Additionally, the characterisation data can be used to verify if Søderberg electrode models accurately predict important
electrode characteristics. The operational history (slipping, current, and paste levels) proved that
the case study electrode was a representative specimen. The characterisation results indicated no
significant electrical resistivity, degree of graphitisation (DOG), and bulk density changes from
0.7 to 2.7 m on the non-delta side (outward facing), while these characteristics changed relatively
significantly on the delta side (inward facing) of the electrode. The area where the submerged arc
would mostly like jump off the electrode had the lowest resistivity, as well as highest DOG and bulk
density. No significant difference in porosity as a function of length below the contact shoes were
observed; however, slight increases occurred near the perimeters. It was postulated that oxidation of
carbon resulted in increased pore volumes near the electrode perimeter. No significant difference in
compressive breaking strength was observed over the electrode area investigated.
public domain. The main aim of this work is to characterise a Søderberg electrode that was cut off
approximately 0.5 m below the contacts shoes of a submerged arc furnace. Additionally, the characterisation data can be used to verify if Søderberg electrode models accurately predict important
electrode characteristics. The operational history (slipping, current, and paste levels) proved that
the case study electrode was a representative specimen. The characterisation results indicated no
significant electrical resistivity, degree of graphitisation (DOG), and bulk density changes from
0.7 to 2.7 m on the non-delta side (outward facing), while these characteristics changed relatively
significantly on the delta side (inward facing) of the electrode. The area where the submerged arc
would mostly like jump off the electrode had the lowest resistivity, as well as highest DOG and bulk
density. No significant difference in porosity as a function of length below the contact shoes were
observed; however, slight increases occurred near the perimeters. It was postulated that oxidation of
carbon resulted in increased pore volumes near the electrode perimeter. No significant difference in
compressive breaking strength was observed over the electrode area investigated.