A measurement system is provided for predicting a future status of a refractory lining that is lined over an inner surface of an outer wall of a manufacturing vessel and exposed to an operational cycle during which the refractory lining is exposed to a high-temperature environment for producing a non-metal and the produced non-metal. The system includes one or more laser scanners and a processor. The laser scanners are configured to conduct one or more pre-operational laser scans of the refractory lining prior to the operational cycle to collect data related to pre-operational cycle structural conditions, and one or more post-operational laser scans of the refractory lining after the operational cycle to collect data related to post-operational cycle structural conditions of the refractory lining. The processor is configured to predict future status of the refractory lining after subsequent operational cycles based on the determined exposure impact of the operational cycle.

Some embodiments described here concern a method for melting metal material in an electric arc furnace, which includes a step of loading solid metal material into the electric furnace, a step of powering the electric furnace and of generating an electric arc between at least one electrode and the metal material, and a step of melting the solid metal material to obtain molten material. Some embodiments described here concern an apparatus for melting metal material including an electric arc furnace and an electric power supply apparatus suitable to power the electric furnace.

Some embodiments described here concern a method for melting metal material in an electric arc furnace, which includes a step of loading solid metal material into the electric furnace, a step of powering the electric furnace and of generating an electric arc between at least one electrode and the metal material, and a step of melting the solid metal material to obtain molten material. Some embodiments described here concern an apparatus for melting metal material including an electric arc furnace and an electric power supply apparatus suitable to power the electric furnace.

An device for manufacturing an active alloy includes: a melting chamber including: a working pipe surrounded by an induction coil and forming a working area; a chamber base disposed below the working pipe and communicated with the working pipe, and including: a gas inlet hole; a vacuum pump connection port; and a vacuum sensor, for measuring a vacuum degree in the working pipe; a chamber door communicated with the chamber base; a first bracket passing through the chamber base, and moving towards a direction away from or near the working area; a second bracket extending into the working pipe, and moving towards a direction away from or near the working area; and a material recycling seat which can extend into the chamber base in a push and pull way.

An device for manufacturing an active alloy includes: a melting chamber including: a working pipe surrounded by an induction coil and forming a working area; a chamber base disposed below the working pipe and communicated with the working pipe, and including: a gas inlet hole; a vacuum pump connection port; and a vacuum sensor, for measuring a vacuum degree in the working pipe; a chamber door communicated with the chamber base; a first bracket passing through the chamber base, and moving towards a direction away from or near the working area; a second bracket extending into the working pipe, and moving towards a direction away from or near the working area; and a material recycling seat which can extend into the chamber base in a push and pull way.

This application addresses an integrated smart system to control the variables involved in the process for melting mineral concentrates. Specifically, it addresses an integrated smart system that allows the whole melting process operation to be controlled, measuring the mineralogical quality and quantity of the concentrate that is injected into the melting furnace, as well as variables such as the temperature, the level of the liquid phases and the percentage of copper within the furnace. In this manner, by reading said variables, it acts autonomously on manipulated variables, considering uncertainties, allowing a stable temperature to be maintained in the reactor, allowing products to be obtained at the required quality and controlling the liquid phases therein, among other controlled variables, to achieve efficient melting.

A method for producing a glass furnace, including a refractory portion, a waveguide with a measurement portion extending into the refractory portion and an interrogator connected to an input of the waveguide to inject an interrogation signal. The measurement portion incorporating a sensor to send a response signal to the interrogator in response to the injection. The interrogator analyzing the response signal and sending a message. Arranging, inside a mold, a temporary part configured to leave space for a compartment for the measurement portion. Preparing a starting feedstock and introducing the starting feedstock into the mold such that the part is embedded therein to obtain a preform. Hardening the preform to form the refractory portion. Removing the temporary part to make the compartment. Assembling the refractory portion with other constituent elements and introducing the measurement portion into the compartment and connecting the interrogator to the input of the waveguide.

A fine ratio measuring device that measures a ratio of fines adhering to the surface of a material in the form of lumps, the fine ratio measuring device includes: an illumination unit that illuminates the material in the form of lumps; a spectrometer that performs spectral analysis on light reflected from the material in the form of lumps to measure spectral reflectance; and an arithmetic device that extracts at least one feature quantity from the spectral reflectance measured by the spectrometer and computes the fine ratio from the extracted at least one feature quantity.

The present invention concerns a lance composed of a top lance (1t) and of a sublance (2) coupled to the top lance (1t), which forms a shoulder (1s) between the top lance and the sublance. The sublance (2) of the present invention is provided with a protective device (3) comprising a coupling end (2c) opening to the cavity (2v), wherein, when at rest, the protective device (3) is in an initial configuration characterized by an outer maximum diameter (D3o) which is not more than 10% larger than the diameter (D2) of sublance (2) (D3o≤1.1 D2), when the sublance (2) is coupled to the lance the protective device (3) contacts the shoulder (1s) and is deformed into a deformed configuration, forming a surface impervious to molten metal and slag, which spans over a whole area of the shoulder (1s).

The present invention concerns a lance composed of a top lance (1t) and of a sublance (2) coupled to the top lance (1t), which forms a shoulder (1s) between the top lance and the sublance. The sublance (2) of the present invention is provided with a protective device (3) comprising a coupling end (2c) opening to the cavity (2v), wherein, when at rest, the protective device (3) is in an initial configuration characterized by an outer maximum diameter (D3o) which is not more than 10% larger than the diameter (D2) of sublance (2) (D3o≤1.1 D2), when the sublance (2) is coupled to the lance the protective device (3) contacts the shoulder (1s) and is deformed into a deformed configuration, forming a surface impervious to molten metal and slag, which spans over a whole area of the shoulder (1s).