Slag detection with infrared thermal imaging
March 2005
Sensors & Transducers
Entertainment and Hospitality (Industry)
When liquid steel is tapped from a basic oxygen or electric arc furnace, it is advantageous to minimise the quantity of slag carried over into the ladle. Previously, this has been done by visual observation of the tapping stream or by the use of electromagnetic induction coils mounted onto the furnace.
Neither of these methods has proved to be entirely reliable. Land has introduced a thermal imaging system that is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the BOF (basic oxygen furnace) plant and is proving to be highly successful for slag detection. The difference in emissivity between the steel and slag results in slag displaying significantly higher apparent temperature than steel when seen by the thermal imager.
The Land FT16 fixed thermal imager, mounted at a distance from the molten metal stream, can be used to detect slag by means of its increased brightness in the thermal image. Used in combination with the new LIPS F application dedicated slag detection software, it can activate an alarm when the presence of slag is detected, alerting the operator to terminate tapping.
With a maximum 2000°C temperature measurement range, the FT16 offers a choice of five colour palettes for presentation of the thermal image. The image may be stored as single images in *.img or *.bmp, or in a sequence of images in *.vrf with a 256 x 256 pixel resolution.
Benefits of the slag detection system include automatic operation and accurate detection, independent of charge weight, a reliable alarm independent of the operator, an improved yield, and a lower slag content improving steel quality. Maintenance is lowered on BOF/EAF vessels and cost savings are increased.
For more information contact Jerry Smits, Protea Automation Solutions, 011 719 5700, [email protected], www.protea.co.za
Further reading:
Miniature inductive sensors
ifm - South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
The inductive IY/IZ type sensors from ifm are used in various industrial areas where space is limited.
Read more...
The expanding role of 3D cameras in industrial quality control
TANDM Technologies
Sensors & Transducers
Across factory floors, warehouses, mines and research centres worldwide, computer vision paired with 3D camera technology is revolutionising quality control.
Read more...
PDS implementation on mines
Sensors & Transducers
Level 9 vehicle intervention for collision avoidance has been mandatory on South African mines since 2022, yet the effective roll-out of proximity detection systems remains slower than expected. This is not due to the technical limitations of integration but to operational readiness on site.
Read more...
Monitoring analogue process values
ifm - South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Everywhere in industry, electronic sensors are used to detect process values such as temperature, pressure or flow. Process value monitoring often takes place directly in the sensor.
Read more...
Protecting buildings’ embodied carbon with retrofitted systems
Schneider Electric South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
The World Economic Forum has said that around 80% of the buildings in existence will still be around in 2050; it is therefore essential that in order to combat climate change we retrofit them for energy efficiency.
Read more...
Listening for damage to wind turbines
Sensors & Transducers
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits, working in concert with the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems, has developed a solution that can be used to identify cracks and breakage inside wind turbine blades remotely at an early stage.
Read more...
Enhancing gold leaching efficiency
Endress+Hauser South Africa
Sensors & Transducers
Endress+Hauser offers a range of advanced technologies designed to enhance the stability and accuracy of pH and dissolved oxygen measurements on gold processing plants.
Read more...
Powering safer mining with PDS
Sensors & Transducers
With the mining industry under increasing pressure to prioritise safety without compromising productivity, Booyco Electronics is pushing the boundaries of Proximity Detection System and Collision Avoidance System technology across both underground and surface operations.
Read more...
The car of the future listens
Sensors & Transducers
The perception of external sounds in cars has been lacking, even in automated driving. That is why Fraunhofer IDMT-HSA is researching the integration of acoustic sensor technology in its KI4BoardNet project with the Hearing Car.
Read more...
High-performance LineScan camera
Sensors & Transducers
Lynred, a global leader in infrared imaging technologies, has launched its next-generation SWIR LineScan camera and sensor, specifically designed for the inspection of silicon wafers, solar panels and waste management.
Read more...
printer friendly version