An immersion sensor is configured to determine the content of a chemical element in molten metal. The immersion sensor has an auxiliary electrochemical cell extending from an interior surface into the internal volume of a sampling chamber. The sampling chamber can be integrally-formed in a sensor head or in a separate refractory structure. The immersion sensor may be configured for the flow of molten metal into the internal volume of the sampling chamber and into contact with the auxiliary electrochemical cell.

An immersion sensor is configured to determine the content of a chemical element in molten metal. The immersion sensor has an auxiliary electrochemical cell extending from an interior surface into the internal volume of a sampling chamber. The sampling chamber can be integrally-formed in a sensor head or in a separate refractory structure. The immersion sensor may be configured for the flow of molten metal into the internal volume of the sampling chamber and into contact with the auxiliary electrochemical cell.

A method for recovering metal values from a molten slag composition includes atomizing the slag with an oxygen-containing gas in a gas atomization apparatus, to produce solid slag granules. Oxygen in the atomizing gas converts metals to magnetic metal compounds, thereby magnetizing the metal-containing slag granules. These metal-containing slag granules are then magnetically separated. Larger amounts of metals may be removed by passing the molten slag through a pre-settling pan with an adjustable base, and/or discontinuing atomization where the metal content of the slag exceeds a predetermined amount. Solid slag granules produced by atomization may be charged to a recovery unit for recovery of one or more metal by-products. An apparatus for recovering metal values from molten slag includes a gas atomization apparatus, a flow control device for controlling the flow of atomizing gas, a control system, and one or more sensors to detect metal values in the slag.

The method comprises the following steps: a) Providing a sonotrode (1) formed from an essentially inert material with respect to the liquid metal, such as a ceramic, and preferably a silicon nitride or a silicon oxynitride, such as SIALON, or a metal essentially inert to said liquid metal, b) Immersing at least partially the sonotrode (1) in a bath of said metal, c) Applying to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts to obtain the wetting of said sonotrode by said metal, d) Applying continuously to the sonotrode (1) measurement ultrasounds, also known as testing ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds wherein the frequency is between 1 and 25 MHz, e) Applying intermittently to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts, to maintain said wetting.

An in-situ on-line detection device and detection method for a long-distance metallurgical liquid metal component. The detection device comprises a front-end high-temperature resistant probe, a middle-end optical sensing device and a back-end control platform, wherein the head of the front-end high-temperature resistant probe is placed in a liquid metal, the tail thereof is coaxially connected to the middle-end optical sensing device, and an optical window is arranged in the connection position; and the middle-end optical sensing device is connected to the back-end control platform through a signal line. The detection device and detection method can provide a timely and valid message for quality control and a melting end, so that the detection time is greatly shortened, the detection distance can he adjusted extensively, the measurement result is accurate, and it can be achieved to measure components that are difficult to measure such as carbon, sulfur, phosphorous, etc.

The method comprising the following steps: a) Providing a first bath of a liquid metal (1) comprising aluminium with a content X and magnesium with a content Y, the magnesium content Y being different to zero, b) Immersing at least partially a sonotrode (3) formed from a material inert to liquid aluminium, in the first bath of liquid metal (1), and c) Applying power ultrasounds to the sonotrode (3) so as to excite the liquid metal (1) until wetting (5) of the sonotrode (3) by the liquid metal (1) is obtained. d) Cooling the first liquid metal (1) of the first bath until solidification of the first liquid metal (1) around the sonotrode (3) is obtained, generating an intimate bond (6) between the sonotrode (3) and the solidified first liquid metal (1) having a bonding strength substantially equal to that of brazing between two metals. e) Machining the solidified first metal (1) in the form of a flange (7) configured for the attachment of a mechanical amplifier and/or of a transducer (4).

A molten material apparatus can include a container including a wall at least partially defining a containment area and an opening extending through the wall. The molten material apparatus can include a protective sleeve mounted at least partially within the opening of the wall of the container. A thermocouple can be positioned within an internal bore of the protective sleeve. A method of processing molten material can include inserting a thermocouple into a protective sleeve fabricated from a refractory ceramic material, and measuring a temperature of material within a containment area of a container with the thermocouple.

A detection device for molten metal is provided. The detection device includes a sample cup having a cavity configured to receive a sample of molten metal and a blob arranged in the cavity. The blob includes a carbide stabilizing element and a hydrogen releasing material including a hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal. The blob is provided for use in detecting phase change temperatures during solidification of a sample of molten cast iron. The blob is also resistant to moisture gain and moisture loss during transport and storage. A method of detecting phase change temperatures of the molten iron or molten cast iron sample using the blob and a method of manufacturing the blob are also provided.

A lance and a method determine reaction data of the course of a reaction, in which a reaction gas is top-blown by at least one lance onto a metallic melt in a metallurgical vessel and measured data are determined in this way, reaction data for the course of the reaction are determined as a function of these, where the lance for determining measured data blows out a gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit. The lance for determining measured data blows out the gas which is conveyed separately from the reaction gas laterally through at least one outlet opening of at least one measuring conduit and the internal pressure of at least one gas bubble of this gas formed at this outlet opening of the respective measuring conduit is measured.

A non-contact, non-immersive method and apparatus are provided for accurately measuring quantitatively one or more elements in liquid metal or alloy samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The method is particularly useful for process and/or quality control within the metallurgy industry for accurately and very quickly measuring minor component or impurity elements in liquid metal in the production process, without touching the liquid metal and without the need for cooling and solidifying samples for analysis. In the method and apparatus a pre-determined distance is dynamically maintained between emission receiving optics and the surface of a liquid sample being analysed and the instrument does not come in contact with the liquid metal surface. Liquid samples are heated and/or maintained at a desired temperature. For many elements, values for limit-of-detection, measurement repeatability and accuracy about or below 1 ppm are achieved using this method.