Analysis of power quality problems of coreless induction melting furnace with exact simulation model based on field measurements

With the development of power electronics, coreless induction melting furnaces can be produced in high power rating for steel scrap melting process. These high power coreless induction furnaces introduce many advantages in melting processes for low production rate steel mill and foundries. The power converter topology of high power coreless induction furnaces are generally formed from higher pulse rectifiers and current source inverters. Because of this converter topology, high power current source inverter based coreless induction furnaces (CSI-CIMFs) cause power quality (PQ) problems. In this paper, operating principles and causes of PQ problems of CSI-CIMF are clearly presented. An exact simulation model of CSI-CIMF is developed in PSCAD/EMTDC by using nameplate parameters and field measurements of a real 10 MVA CSI-CIMF. PQ problems and their effects on power system are analyzed by comparing simulation model and field measurements of CSI-CIMF.