Title

THERMOGRAPHIC SLAG DETECTION (TSD) IN OPERATIONAL APPLICATION

THERMOGRAPHIC SLAG DETECTION (TSD) IN OPERATIONAL APPLICATION

Authorship

MATTHES, PETER; BENDERBERGOLD, WOLFGANG

MATTHES, PETER

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BENDERBERGOLD, WOLFGANG

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DOI

10.5151/2594-5300-C01782

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Abstract

Minimizing the transfer of furnace slag, which contains reduction by-products, has been a constant goal for steel producers in recent years and it still is. A reliable, user-friendly and low maintenance thermographic slag detection system has been established in a growing number of steel plants during the last three years, especially adapted to the needs of BOF operation. The metallurgical results show that the new system is competitive or even better than existing slag detection systems, which are in use for BOF to ladle tapping. Thermographic slag detection is based on optical principles, requiring a clear view to the tapping stream as the measured object. Although a slag flow can only be detected on the surface of the stream, no significant time delay is evident in detection compared to electromagnetic systems. Thermographic slag detection systems with different development status are available on the market, from simple imaging systems to highly developed systems like the TSD, which offers the opportunity of automation of tapping end for all types of slag cutting devices. This article reviews operational results as well as state-of-the-art features that can be expected from a highly developed system.

Minimizing the transfer of furnace slag, which contains reduction by-products, has been a constant goal for steel producers in recent years and it still is. A reliable, user-friendly and low maintenance thermographic slag detection system has been established in a growing number of steel plants during the last three years, especially adapted to the needs of BOF operation. The metallurgical results show that the new system is competitive or even better than existing slag detection systems, which are in use for BOF to ladle tapping. Thermographic slag detection is based on optical principles, requiring a clear view to the tapping stream as the measured object. Although a slag flow can only be detected on the surface of the stream, no significant time delay is evident in detection compared to electromagnetic systems. Thermographic slag detection systems with different development status are available on the market, from simple imaging systems to highly developed systems like the TSD, which offers the opportunity of automation of tapping end for all types of slag cutting devices. This article reviews operational results as well as state-of-the-art features that can be expected from a highly developed system.

Keywords

thermographic slag detection, BOF to ladle tapping, AMEPA TSD, slag detection, steelmaking

thermographic slag detection, BOF to ladle tapping, AMEPA TSD, slag detection, steelmaking