According to one aspect of the invention, a potentiometric sensor having a cathode and an anode. The cathode is configured to provide a summary voltage representative of at least two voltage points. The anode is configured to provide a first voltage. The cathode is in communication with the anode by a first electrolyte forming an open circuit having an open circuit potential. Within the first electrolyte is a concentration of a target ion. The open circuit potential mathematically corresponds to the concentration of the target ion.

A slag volume evaluation method for a molten metal surface includes calculating an approximation curve indicating a correspondence between a thickness of slag and a density parameter in advance by measuring thicknesses of a plurality of pieces of the slag which float on a surface of a molten metal in a container and differ from each other in thickness, and calculating a value of the density parameter which is correlated to a density in a pixel region corresponding to the plurality of pieces of the slag in a captured image of a molten metal surface in the container; and calculating a volume of the slag by calculating and integrating the thickness of the slag for each of pixels constituting the captured image obtained by capturing an image of the molten metal surface which is an evaluation target, according to a value of the density parameter of each of the pixels and the approximation curve.

Methods for manufacturing an electrochemical sensor includes forming at least one electrode by printing at least one conductive ink on a surface of at least one substrate. The conductive ink may comprise, e.g., a platinum-group metal, another transition-group metal with a high-temperature melting point, a conductive ceramic material, glass-like carbon, or a combination thereof. The electrochemical sensor may be free of another material over the at least one electrode. An electrochemical sensor, formed according to such methods, may be configured for use in harsh environments (e.g., a molten salt environment). Electrodes of the electrochemical sensor comprise conductive material formed from a printed, conductive ink. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the electrochemical sensor is free of silver, gold, copper, silicon, and polymer materials, such portion being that which is to be exposed to the harsh environment during use of the electrochemical sensor.

A device for characterising at least one liquid material includes an analysis head and a rotating mechanical mixer. The mixer includes a central part having an internal cavity which forms an analysis chamber, a first end connected to the analysis head, and a plurality of stirring blades which are connected to a second end that is hollow so as to ensure fluid communication between the internal cavity and the liquid bath. The mechanical stirring blades are intended to be totally submerged, the central part comprises one or more openings intended to be partially submerged, and each mechanical stirring blade comprises at least one stirring flange oriented at a non-zero angle of orientation.

A device for characterising at least one liquid material includes an analysis head and a rotating mechanical mixer. The mixer includes a central part having an internal cavity which forms an analysis chamber, a first end connected to the analysis head, and a plurality of stirring blades which are connected to a second end that is hollow so as to ensure fluid communication between the internal cavity and the liquid bath. The mechanical stirring blades are intended to be totally submerged, the central part comprises one or more openings intended to be partially submerged, and each mechanical stirring blade comprises at least one stirring flange oriented at a non-zero angle of orientation.

A method of analyzing a phase transformation process of a material comprises providing a spherical sample of the material, measuring and recording a first data series of core temperature at the sample's center of gravity, measuring and recording a respective second data series of temperature at the sample's periphery, measuring and recording a respective third data series of radial displacements at the sample's periphery, and calculating a change in pressure in the sample at a plurality of points in time based on first, second and third said data series.

A method of analyzing a phase transformation process of a material comprises providing a spherical sample of the material, measuring and recording a first data series of core temperature at the sample's center of gravity, measuring and recording a respective second data series of temperature at the sample's periphery, measuring and recording a respective third data series of radial displacements at the sample's periphery, and calculating a change in pressure in the sample at a plurality of points in time based on first, second and third said data series.

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.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for demolding and analyzing a direct analysis sample formed from a molten metal material contained within a sample chamber assembly, wherein the sample chamber assembly comprises at least a sample housing, a cover plate and closing means, comprising: a cabinet defining an interior and comprising at least one opening for the sample housing to enter the cabinet, and analyzing means located inside the cabinet for analyzing an analysis surface of the sample; demolding means adapted to remove at least the closing means to expose at least part of the analysis surface of the sample; and transporting means adapted to hold and transport the sample housing at least between a sample demolding position, where the closing means is removed by the demolding means, and a sample analysis position, where the analysis surface of the sample is analyzed by the analyzing means, and wherein the sample demolding position and the sample analysis position are different from each other.

The invention also relates to a system and method for demolding and analyzing a direct analysis sample.