Infrared Camera Lance Head for Molten Steel Temperature Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing metallurgical processes for treating molten steel with oxygen blowing lances face challenges in effectively cooling and monitoring the lance head, leading to potential rupture due to thermal stress and wear, which can result in water release and process disruptions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a temperature probe within the lance head, connected via signal lines through the lance body, allows for real-time temperature monitoring and regulation, using water, oxygen supply, or aggregate addition, while protecting against water release through a protective pipe and coaxial ring channels, enabling immediate response to impending rupture and optimizing the metallurgical process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the lance head is cooled intensively with water under high pressure, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the risk of water release and rupture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary cooling actions using cool air before water cooling, and uses temperature monitoring to predict when intensive water cooling should be applied. This prepares the lance head gradually for intensive cooling, reducing thermal shock and preventing sudden rupture while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temperature probes and infrared cameras to continuously monitor lance head temperature, feeding this information back to the control system. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of cooling intensity, ensuring the lance head is cooled effectively while preventing conditions that would lead to water release and rupture.
2Productivity
If the lance is plunged deeper into the molten steel, then the oxygen blowing effectiveness is improved, but the thermal load and wear on the lance head increases
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature monitoring systems continuously measure the thermal load on the lance head and feed this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the lance depth and cooling intensity, enabling the lance to operate at optimal depths for productivity while preventing excessive thermal accumulation that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of lance positioning and cooling parameters based on real-time temperature measurements. The lance depth is adjusted dynamically during operation, allowing deeper plunging for improved productivity when thermal conditions permit, while automatically retreating or increasing cooling when thermal limits are approached.
3Extent of automation
If temperature monitoring is implemented, then the control of the metallurgical process is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical temperature measurement systems with optical infrared cameras and electronic sensors. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while enabling automated temperature monitoring and control. The infrared camera system provides non-contact temperature measurement, eliminating the need for physical contact probes and reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses infrared cameras to create thermal images (copies) of the lance head temperature distribution. These thermal copies provide comprehensive temperature information without requiring physical intrusion into the harsh environment, simplifying the monitoring system while enabling detailed temperature analysis for process control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively monitors and controls the temperature of the lance head, preventing water release and allowing for timely intervention to prevent rupture, thereby ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the metallurgical process by considering tool life and thermal expansions.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared camera assembly received in the bore hole for monitoring the temperature of the lance head
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of cooling chambers arranged about said central strut... in fluid communication with said cooling water inlet and outlet conduits
Implementation Method 3
The lance head is made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as copper. High temperature peaks up to 3000 degrees C., particularly at the front end of the lance head which is the focus of heat radiating from the surface of the bath
Data Source
AI summary
A lance comprising a lance body including a lance head connected to said lance body and comprising a nozzle body having a central strut having bore hole; a camera assembly, such as an optical or infrared camera assembly, received in said bore hole for monitoring the temperature of said lance head or molten heat in which the lance is inserted; and a protective pipe pressurized with a gas disposed in the bore and surrounding said camera assembly.