A viewport for a combustion zone includes an inner casing having a flange extending into the combustion zone. A first layer of ceramic fiber insulation is exterior to the inner casing. A middle casing includes two panes of quartz glass separated by traverse plates. A second layer of ceramic fiber insulation is exterior to the middle casing. An outer casing is positioned to the exterior of the second layer of insulation. The middle casing includes L-shaped ledges having third and fourth layers of ceramic insulation. The panes of glass are each positioned between layers of insulation and the insulation positioned in the L-shaped ledges. The viewport is modular enabling the separation of the first layer of insulation, the middle casing, the second layer of insulation and the outer casing from the combustion zone for maintenance or repair. The viewport minimizes heat migration to the outer casing during use.

An oven can include an oven body including a set of interior panels. A set of exterior panels are spaced from the set of interior panels such that a channel is defined between the set of interior panels and the set of exterior panels. The set of interior panels includes an interior panel peripheral wall and an interior panel top wall that at least partially define a cooking cavity. Each interior panel of the set of interior panels has an inner surface and an outer surface. The oven further includes an imaging device with a field of view including at least a portion of the cooking cavity. The oven also comprises a damper coupled to the oven body and to the imaging device for absorbing mechanical vibrations associated with airflow generated by the fan.

An oven can include an oven body including a set of interior panels. A set of exterior panels are spaced from the set of interior panels such that a channel is defined between the set of interior panels and the set of exterior panels. The set of interior panels includes an interior panel peripheral wall and an interior panel top wall that at least partially define a cooking cavity. Each interior panel of the set of interior panels has an inner surface and an outer surface. The oven further includes an imaging device with a field of view including at least a portion of the cooking cavity. The oven also comprises a damper coupled to the oven body and to the imaging device for absorbing mechanical vibrations associated with airflow generated by the fan.

An oxygen blowing lance comprising: a lance body including an oxygen conduit and cooling water inlet and outlet conduits surrounding said oxygen conduit; a lance head connected to said lance body and comprising a nozzle body, said nozzle body including a central strut having bore hole, a plurality of nozzles arranged about said central strut, and a plurality of cooling chambers arranged about said central strut, wherein said plurality of nozzles are in fluid communication with said oxygen conduit for discharging oxygen from said oxygen conduit onto a metal bath in a converter vessel, and wherein said plurality of cooling chambers are in fluid communication with said cooling water inlet and outlet conduits; a temperature probe or camera assembly received in said bore hole for monitoring the temperature of said lance head or molten heat in which the lance is inserted; signal lines connected to said temperature probe for conveying signals from said temperature probe whereby operation of said blowing lance is regulated in response to said signals; and a protective pipe pressurized with a gas disposed in the bore and surrounding said temperature probe assembly and the signal lines.

An oxygen blowing lance comprising: a lance body including an oxygen conduit and cooling water inlet and outlet conduits surrounding said oxygen conduit; a lance head connected to said lance body and comprising a nozzle body, said nozzle body including a central strut having bore hole, a plurality of nozzles arranged about said central strut, and a plurality of cooling chambers arranged about said central strut, wherein said plurality of nozzles are in fluid communication with said oxygen conduit for discharging oxygen from said oxygen conduit onto a metal bath in a converter vessel, and wherein said plurality of cooling chambers are in fluid communication with said cooling water inlet and outlet conduits; a temperature probe or camera assembly received in said bore hole for monitoring the temperature of said lance head or molten heat in which the lance is inserted; signal lines connected to said temperature probe for conveying signals from said temperature probe whereby operation of said blowing lance is regulated in response to said signals; and a protective pipe pressurized with a gas disposed in the bore and surrounding said temperature probe assembly and the signal lines.

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling the pressure in the exhaust gas duct of a converter in a steel mill using a pressure control loop. To optimize the defined pressure setpoint for the pressure control loop so as to prevent excessive amounts of outside air from being drawn in via the converter mouth, the pressure setpoint is determined according to the invention by adapting a raw value based on the extent to which smoke or flames is/are formed at the mouth (120) of the converter (100).

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling the pressure in the exhaust gas duct of a converter in a steel mill using a pressure control loop. To optimize the defined pressure setpoint for the pressure control loop so as to prevent excessive amounts of outside air from being drawn in via the converter mouth, the pressure setpoint is determined according to the invention by adapting a raw value based on the extent to which smoke or flames is/are formed at the mouth (120) of the converter (100).

In an example implementation, a sintering system includes optical fiber installed into a sintering furnace. A support structure inside the furnace is to support a token green object in a predetermined position and to hold a distal end of the fiber adjacent to the predetermined position. A light source is operably engaged at a proximal end of the fiber to transmit light through the fiber into the furnace. A light detector is operably engaged at the proximal end of the fiber to receive reflected light through the fiber that scatters off a surface of the token green object.

In an example implementation, a sintering system includes optical fiber installed into a sintering furnace. A support structure inside the furnace is to support a token green object in a predetermined position and to hold a distal end of the fiber adjacent to the predetermined position. A light source is operably engaged at a proximal end of the fiber to transmit light through the fiber into the furnace. A light detector is operably engaged at the proximal end of the fiber to receive reflected light through the fiber that scatters off a surface of the token green object.

A method of controlling a production process includes illuminating a portion of a workpiece undergoing a production process with a light having a selected wavelength, processing a portion of the workpiece, capturing a digital image of the light reflecting from a surface of the workpiece with a digital camera, performing, with a processor, a specular reflectance analysis of the digital image, and adjusting a production process parameter based on the specular reflectance analysis.