EQUIPMENT UPGRADE AND REPAIR

This article discusses the option of upgrading an ore-thermal furnace to produce technical silicon by installing strain gage sensors with signal converters and a rangefinder in the electrode lifting system. This upgrade will enable the reception of real-time data on changes in mass (carbon monoxide) or electrode breakage and the position of the working end of the electrode. The latter parameter is associated with the position of the reaction zone in the furnace, which directly affects the specific amount of electricity consumption, the temperature and volume of silicon leaving the furnace, and heat losses and dust removal with exhaust gases.

The upgrade will increase the observability of the control object, which will improve the quality of control of the technological process of carbothermic silicon reduction.