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.

A method of determining a chemical composition of a slag portion is provided. The method includes providing the slag portion having a surface, collecting light reflected from the surface using an optical system, obtaining a data set from the collected light, the data set at least defining a matrix containing values representative of an intensity of a part (L.sub.M,) of the collected light, each part being collected from one of a plurality of points at one of a plurality of wavelengths, the matrix being indexed at least by: a plurality of space coordinates of the plurality of points, and a plurality of spectral parameters representative of the plurality of wavelengths. The method further includes conditioning the matrix in order to obtain a reduced set of values and performing a mathematical algorithm using the reduced set of values in order to obtain the chemical composition. A corresponding installation is also provided.

A method of determining a chemical composition of a slag portion is provided. The method includes providing the slag portion having a surface, collecting light reflected from the surface using an optical system, obtaining a data set from the collected light, the data set at least defining a matrix containing values representative of an intensity of a part (L.sub.M,) of the collected light, each part being collected from one of a plurality of points at one of a plurality of wavelengths, the matrix being indexed at least by: a plurality of space coordinates of the plurality of points, and a plurality of spectral parameters representative of the plurality of wavelengths. The method further includes conditioning the matrix in order to obtain a reduced set of values and performing a mathematical algorithm using the reduced set of values in order to obtain the chemical composition. A corresponding installation is also provided.

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).

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).

The disclosure includes a temperature measuring device and a temperature measuring method for measuring the temperature of molten metals. The temperature measuring device includes a temperature sensing element, a support tube, a connecting tube and an exhaust structure. The temperature sensing element is a cermet tube with a closed end and an open end, and can sense the temperature of a molten metal and emit stable thermal radiation energy based on the blackbody cavity principle when being extended into the molten metal. The open end of the cermet tube is fixedly connected to one end of the support tube, the cermet tube is communicated with the support tube, and the other end of the support tube is fixedly connected with the connecting tube. The exhaust structure is used to discharge the smoke inside the cermet tube and the support tube.

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 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.

Provided are a method for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, an apparatus for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, a method for adjusting nitrogen concentration in molten steel, and a method for manufacturing steel. The method includes: a melting process in which a metal sample containing a nitrogen component is melted in an argon gas atmosphere by performing impulse heating to gasify the nitrogen component; and an analyzing process in which nitrogen content in the metal sample is determined by analyzing nitrogen gas generated in the melting process and the argon gas by using a gas discharge optical emission method. By analyzing the nitrogen concentration of a sample taken from molten steel by using the analysis method described above, and by determining treatment conditions for adjusting nitrogen concentration on the basis of the nitrogen analysis value derived by the analysis, nitrogen concentration in molten steel is adjusted.

Provided are a method for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, an apparatus for analyzing nitrogen in a metal sample, a method for adjusting nitrogen concentration in molten steel, and a method for manufacturing steel. The method includes: a melting process in which a metal sample containing a nitrogen component is melted in an argon gas atmosphere by performing impulse heating to gasify the nitrogen component; and an analyzing process in which nitrogen content in the metal sample is determined by analyzing nitrogen gas generated in the melting process and the argon gas by using a gas discharge optical emission method. By analyzing the nitrogen concentration of a sample taken from molten steel by using the analysis method described above, and by determining treatment conditions for adjusting nitrogen concentration on the basis of the nitrogen analysis value derived by the analysis, nitrogen concentration in molten steel is adjusted.