A fine ratio measuring method and apparatus. The fine ratio measuring method includes a step S1 of measuring a distance between a distance measuring device and lumps of material, a step S2 of calculating a feature quantity from distance data obtained in the step S1, and a step S3 of converting the feature quantity calculated in step S2 to a fine ratio. The feature quantity calculated in step S2 represents distance variation calculated from the distance data obtained in the step S1. A higher fine ratio in lumps of material means greater microscopic distance variation caused by microscopic irregularities in the surface of the lumps of material in the height direction within a three-dimensional shape. Therefore, by using the distance variation as the feature quantity, the fine ratio in the lumps of material can be measured in real time with high accuracy.

A fine ratio measuring method and apparatus. The fine ratio measuring method includes a step S1 of measuring a distance between a distance measuring device and lumps of material, a step S2 of calculating a feature quantity from distance data obtained in the step S1, and a step S3 of converting the feature quantity calculated in step S2 to a fine ratio. The feature quantity calculated in step S2 represents distance variation calculated from the distance data obtained in the step S1. A higher fine ratio in lumps of material means greater microscopic distance variation caused by microscopic irregularities in the surface of the lumps of material in the height direction within a three-dimensional shape. Therefore, by using the distance variation as the feature quantity, the fine ratio in the lumps of material can be measured in real time with high accuracy.

An indirect-heat thermal processor for processing bulk solids includes a housing including an inlet for receiving the bulk solids and an outlet for discharging the bulk solids and a plurality of heat transfer plate assemblies disposed between the inlet and the outlet and arranged in spaced relationship for the flow of the bulk solids that flow from the inlet, between the heat transfer plate assemblies, to the outlet. The heat transfer plate assemblies include a heat spreader, a heating element disposed adjacent the heat spreader, a temperature detection device spaced from the heating element and disposed adjacent the heat spreader, covers disposed on opposing sides of the heat spreader, the heating element, and the temperature detection device to provide a sandwiched assembly in which the heat spreader, the heating element, and the temperature detection device are sandwiched between the covers, heating element couplings coupled to the heating element and extending from the sandwiched assembly for controlling the heating element, and a connector coupled to the temperature detection device and extending from the sandwiched assembly for monitoring a temperature at the temperature detection device.

An indirect-heat thermal processor for processing bulk solids includes a housing including an inlet for receiving the bulk solids and an outlet for discharging the bulk solids and a plurality of heat transfer plate assemblies disposed between the inlet and the outlet and arranged in spaced relationship for the flow of the bulk solids that flow from the inlet, between the heat transfer plate assemblies, to the outlet. The heat transfer plate assemblies include a heat spreader, a heating element disposed adjacent the heat spreader, a temperature detection device spaced from the heating element and disposed adjacent the heat spreader, covers disposed on opposing sides of the heat spreader, the heating element, and the temperature detection device to provide a sandwiched assembly in which the heat spreader, the heating element, and the temperature detection device are sandwiched between the covers, heating element couplings coupled to the heating element and extending from the sandwiched assembly for controlling the heating element, and a connector coupled to the temperature detection device and extending from the sandwiched assembly for monitoring a temperature at the temperature detection device.

A method and apparatus of reducing thermal shock in one or more radiant tubes of a pyrolysis furnace is provided. The apparatus is a furnace comprising a blower and blower bypass conduit providing separate fluid communication paths for flue gas from the convection section to a natural draft flue gas stack. The method comprises the steps of: redirecting at least a portion of the flue gas through the blower bypass conduit when a blower shut-off event is indicated as well as reducing the firing rate of the furnace.

A method and apparatus of reducing thermal shock in one or more radiant tubes of a pyrolysis furnace is provided. The apparatus is a furnace comprising a blower and blower bypass conduit providing separate fluid communication paths for flue gas from the convection section to a natural draft flue gas stack. The method comprises the steps of: redirecting at least a portion of the flue gas through the blower bypass conduit when a blower shut-off event is indicated as well as reducing the firing rate of the furnace.

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the liquid-metal surface level (13) and the slag surface level (14) in the crucible (1) of a metallurgical shaft furnace comprising the following steps: measuring, at one or more points on the external wall (2) of the crucible, the following variables: the circumferential strain in said external wall (2) by means of a number of strain-gauge sensors (6) fixed to the armor (4) of the external wall (2) of the crucible; and the temperature of said external wall (2) by means of one or more temperature sensors (7) fixed to the armor (4) of the external wall (2) of the crucible; introducing said variables measured at a number of points on the external wall of the crucible into the general equation governing circumferential strain, the solution of which is analytical, and which contains two unknowns, the liquid metal level and the overall liquid metal/slag level, considering set parameters; and solving said equation and obtaining an analytical solution giving the liquid metal surface level (13) and the slag surface level (14) in the crucible (1).

The present invention relates to a method for measuring the liquid-metal surface level (13) and the slag surface level (14) in the crucible (1) of a metallurgical shaft furnace comprising the following steps: measuring, at one or more points on the external wall (2) of the crucible, the following variables: the circumferential strain in said external wall (2) by means of a number of strain-gauge sensors (6) fixed to the armor (4) of the external wall (2) of the crucible; and the temperature of said external wall (2) by means of one or more temperature sensors (7) fixed to the armor (4) of the external wall (2) of the crucible; introducing said variables measured at a number of points on the external wall of the crucible into the general equation governing circumferential strain, the solution of which is analytical, and which contains two unknowns, the liquid metal level and the overall liquid metal/slag level, considering set parameters; and solving said equation and obtaining an analytical solution giving the liquid metal surface level (13) and the slag surface level (14) in the crucible (1).

A direct reduction shaft furnace having at least one probe disposed vertically within the reduction zone thereof. The probe preferably extends from the top to the bottom of the reduction zone. The probe allows for gas sampling along the length thereof and transmittal of the gas to at least one type of gas analysis device. The probe may also allow for the measurement of the temperature and pressure of the gas sample as it is taken.

A direct reduction shaft furnace having at least one probe disposed vertically within the reduction zone thereof. The probe preferably extends from the top to the bottom of the reduction zone. The probe allows for gas sampling along the length thereof and transmittal of the gas to at least one type of gas analysis device. The probe may also allow for the measurement of the temperature and pressure of the gas sample as it is taken.