Hydraulic system
The hydraulic system provides motive power for almost all EAF movements
including roof lower/raise, roof swing, electrode arms
up/down/regulation/swing, furnace tilt forward/backward, slag door raise/lower
and movement of any auxiliary systems such as the burner lance. The hydraulic
system consists of a central reservoir, filters, an accumulator, hydraulic
valves and hydraulic piping. As hydraulic fluid passes through valves in one of
two directions within a given circuit, hydraulic cylinders are extended or
contracted to provide movement of various mechanical components. Without
sufficient fluid flow and pressure within a circuit, movement is impossible.
Thus issues such as low fluid level, low accumulator pressure, system leaks,
fluid degradation due to over-heating, solids build-up in valves or in
hydraulic lines and wear in mechanical components can lead to poor system
performance and in some cases, system failure.