Application of UPQC for power quality improvement in induction furnace

Majority of the loads involved in the operation of steel industries are of non-linear nature. An induction furnace is one typical example of a non-linear load, the growth of which has been a boon to the steel industry. Harmonics convoying with the operation of an induction furnace under fluctuating load situations result in vast power losses and have negative affect on neighboring loads. The aim of the present work is harmonic mitigation using a Unified Power Quality Conditioner (UPQC) of an induction furnace in a steel industry. The experimental readings of the induction furnace are obtained using power quality analyzer. A Simulink model of the induction furnace is designed whose performance matches the real-time data measured from a steel plant induction furnace under operation. The solution methodology proposed by UPQC shows significant improvement in the Total harmonic distortion (THD) content of an induction furnace. The proposed results are also compared with that described in the literature.