Two-Color Pyrometer Laser Range Finder for Refractory Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser-based systems for measuring refractory wear and surface temperature in metallurgical vessels face accuracy limitations due to single-wavelength temperature measurement techniques, which result in errors up to 200°C due to emissivity variations between steel, slag, and refractory materials.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a two-color pyrometer with a scanning laser range finder that uses separate radiation detectors at two different wavelengths to measure refractory lining thickness and surface temperature, reducing sensitivity to emissivity variations and enabling accurate simultaneous measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If single-wavelength temperature measurement technique is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates with errors up to 200°C due to emissivity variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from single-wavelength to multi-wavelength (two-color) pyrometry. By measuring radiation intensity at two different wavelengths and calculating their ratio, the system compensates for emissivity variations and achieves accurate temperature measurements without requiring precise emissivity knowledge, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the ratio of two wavelengths as a mediator to eliminate the harmful effect of emissivity variations. This ratio method serves as an intermediate calculation step that cancels out emissivity dependencies, allowing accurate temperature measurement without directly measuring or knowing the emissivity of the refractory material
2Loss of information
If simultaneous thickness and temperature measurements are implemented, then information completeness is improved, but device complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the laser scanning range finder and two-color pyrometer into a single integrated measurement system. Both instruments share common mounting structures, control electronics, and data processing capabilities, allowing simultaneous acquisition of refractory thickness and temperature information while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through resource sharing
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system performs multiple functions using a unified platform. The laser scanning range finder measures both distance (for thickness calculation) and the two-color pyrometer measures temperature, with both functions controlled by a single controller that processes data from multiple sensors. This multi-functionality approach reduces information loss while managing device complexity through functional integration
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
The solution achieves accurate measurements of refractory lining thickness and surface temperature, reducing measurement errors by more than a factor of 10 compared to single-color pyrometers, thereby enhancing the reliability and precision of refractory wear characterization and temperature monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
The two-color pyrometer measures surface temperature by correlating a ratio of light intensities measured at two different wavelengths to the surface temperature
Implementation Method 2
measuring distances from the scanning device to a plurality of points on the surface of the lining
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed to characterize the wear and measure temperature of a surface of a lining of a metallurgical container. Wear characterization is accomplished by a scanning device by making thickness measurements of the lining and surface temperature measurements are made using a two-color pyrometer integrated with the scanning device where surface temperature is measured by correlating a ratio of two light intensities to the surface temperature. A controller controls operation of the scanning device and the two-color pyrometer.