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, jerrys@protea.co.za, www.protea.co.za
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