Liquid Conveying Rate Sensing in Metallurgical Vessels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for charging furnaces in continuous steelmaking either limit the feed material to solid forms or require expensive weight determination systems for accurate charging of liquid materials, leading to inaccuracies due to erosion and incompatibility with liquid metal handling.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that sense the conveying rate of liquid materials into a metallurgical target vessel from a pivotable starting vessel using scanning and weighing devices to determine the volume and weight of liquid material discharged, allowing for precise regulation of the filling rate, even with high-temperature, low-viscosity substances like pig iron or slag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If indirect measurement method based on liquid metal level is used, then the measurement can be performed when furnace is filled with liquid metal, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to erosion of inner lining changing furnace volume

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidweight measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical indirect measurement method (level sensing) with a electromagnetic measurement method. Load cells with strain gauge sensors detect weight changes through electrical resistance changes, providing direct and accurate weight measurement without being affected by furnace erosion or liquid metal level variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces load cells as intermediary measurement elements between the furnace and the measurement system. These load cells transfer the weight information from the furnace to the measurement device without requiring direct contact with the liquid metal or being affected by the furnace's inner lining erosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If direct weight determination using sensors is used, then continuous control of furnace weight is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to expensive weighing systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical weighing systems with a simpler electromagnetic measurement system using load cells. These load cells convert mechanical weight into electrical signals through strain gauge technology, simplifying the measurement system while maintaining high precision and enabling continuous weight monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional conveying rate detectors are used, then weight and speed of solid metallic charge can be determined, but the device cannot handle liquid materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial form adaptabilityVSAvoidconveying rate detection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal measurement system using load cells that can accurately measure both solid and liquid materials. The electromagnetic measurement principle works independently of material state, making the system versatile for handling different charge forms including solid scrap metal, liquid pig iron, and molten steel.

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

Enables precise and accurate control of the conveying rate of liquid materials into metallurgical target vessels, reducing inaccuracies and costs associated with weight determination systems, while accommodating liquid feed materials effectively.

Implementation Method 1

The indirect measurement method is based on a geometric sensing of the liquid metal level within the furnace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGeometric sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a device for weighing the furnace, its content and possibly additional components weighing on said furnace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight measurement:

Implementation Method 3

wherein this data can be converted into volume data which then allows, if the specific density of the liquid metal is known, an inference of the weight of the liquid metal accommodated within the furnace

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS11149323B2Device and method for sensing a conveying rate of a liquid material

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 SMS GROUP GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and to a method for sensing a conveying rate at which liquid material is filled into a metallurgical target vessel (6) from a pivotable starting vessel (4). For this purpose, means for determining an amount of liquid material with which the initial vessel (4) has been filled and means for sensing an amount of the liquid material which is discharged toward the target vessel (6) or filled into the target vessel (6) by pivoting of the starting vessel (4) are provided.