In-situ LIBS Probe for Liquid Metal Component Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current online monitoring technologies for high-temperature liquid metal components in metallurgical processes are limited by their complexity, environmental adaptability, and inability to simultaneously measure multiple elements like C, S, and P, leading to inefficient quality control and high resource consumption.

Innovation Solution

An in-situ online detection device using a double-pulse LIBS method with a high-temperature resistant probe and optical sensing system, allowing for flexible installation, real-time measurement, and inert gas environment to enhance spectral quality and accuracy, capable of measuring components over long distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If offline detection with manual sampling is used, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but detection time increases significantly (3-5 minutes) and quality control becomes backward

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical sampling operations with automated optical detection. The LIBS system uses laser-induced plasma emission spectroscopy to detect metal component composition online, eliminating the need for manual sampling, cooling, grinding, and polishing processes, thereby reducing detection time from 3-5 minutes to real-time measurement while maintaining measurement accuracy through spectral analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical path as an intermediary between the metal component and detection system. By using optical fibers and lenses to transmit laser beams and collect plasma emission spectra, the system enables non-contact, real-time measurement without physical sampling, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and detection time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If LIBS technology is used for online detection, then detection time is reduced and real-time monitoring is achieved, but measurement precision and stability deteriorate due to environmental interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection speedVSAvoidmeasurement precision and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates an inert gas environment (using nitrogen or argon) around the plasma generation zone to protect the optical path from atmospheric interference. This inert atmosphere prevents absorption and scattering of plasma emission spectra by air molecules, thereby maintaining high measurement precision and stability while enabling real-time online detection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses optical fibers and lenses as intermediaries to transmit laser beams and collect plasma emission spectra. These optical components are designed with protective measures to withstand high-temperature environments, enabling real-time detection while maintaining signal quality and measurement precision through controlled optical transmission paths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If detection equipment is designed for high precision measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity and bulkiness increase, making it difficult to adapt to modern melting production requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity and bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the detection system into modular components: a compact laser generator, optical transmission components (lenses and optical fibers), and a spectral analysis system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for precision while reducing overall device complexity and enabling flexible installation in modern melting production environments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs a universal LIBS detection system that can measure multiple elements (C, Si, Mn, P, S, etc.) simultaneously using the same optical path and spectral analysis apparatus. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices, reducing device complexity and bulkiness while maintaining high measurement precision for various metal components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 significantly reduces detection time, improves product quality, decreases production costs, and enhances measurement precision and stability, enabling real-time monitoring of difficult-to-measure elements like C, S, and P, while being adaptable to various environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a laser generating module (6) emitting laser beams

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

A Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a technology of using laser for exciting plasma and then using the emission spectra of the plasma for performing element detection and analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS):

Implementation Method 3

using the emission spectra of the plasma for performing element detection and analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEmission spectra:

Data Source

PatentEP3023771B1In-situ on-line detection device and method for long-distance metallurgical liquid metal component
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 SHENYANG INST OF AUTOMATION - CHINESE ACAD OF SCI
  • EP3023771B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3023771B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3023771B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An in-situ on-line detection device and detection method for a long-distance metallurgical liquid metal component. The detection device comprises a front-end high-temperature resistant probe (18), a middle-end optical sensing device (19) and a back-end control platform (24), wherein the head of the front-end high-temperature resistant probe (18) is placed in a liquid metal (22), the tail thereof is coaxially connected to the middle-end optical sensing device (19), and an optical window (15) is arranged in the connection position; and the middle-end optical sensing device (19) is connected to the back-end control platform (24) through a signal line (25). The detection device and detection method can provide a timely and valid message for quality control and a melting end, so that the detection time is greatly shortened, the detection distance can be adjusted extensively, the measurement result is accurate, and it can be achieved to measure components that are difficult to measure, such as C, S, P, etc.