An immersion probe with a variable connection length is configured to compensate for longitudinal and/or radial length variations in an immersion sublance connected to the immersion probe. The immersion probe is characterized by an adjustable portion that changes length upon engagement with a coupling end of an immersion sublance. The immersion probe can have a sensor head. An immersion assembly of the immersion probe connected to an immersion sublance can be used to take measurements or samples of molten metal in a converter furnace.

In an example implementation, a method of operating a sintering furnace includes receiving information about a green object load to be sintered in a sintering furnace, determining a sintering profile based on the information, and performing a sintering process according to the sintering profile. During the sintering process, a sensor reading that indicates a degree of densification of a green object in the load is accessed from a densification sensor. The method includes initiating a cool down phase of the sintering process if the sensor reading has reached a target sensor reading.

An integrated sensor system for use in a furnace system including a furnace having at least one burner and two or more zones each differently affected by at least one furnace parameter regulating energy input into the furnace, including a first temperature sensor positioned to measure a first temperature in the furnace system, a second temperature sensor positioned to measure a second temperature in the furnace system; and a controller programmed to receive the first and second measured temperatures, and to adjust operation of a furnace system parameter based on a relationship between the first and second temperatures, thereby differentially regulating energy input into at least two of the zones of the furnace; wherein the relationship between the first and second temperatures is a function of one or more of a difference between the two temperatures, a ratio of the two temperatures, and a weighted average of the two temperatures.

A control scheme for a furnace can use real-time and historical data to model performance and determine relationships between different data and performance parameters for use in correcting suboptimal performance of the furnace in real-time. Operational parameters can be logged throughout the cycle for all cycles for a period of time in order to establish a baseline. This data can then be used to calculate the performance of the process. A regression analysis can be carried out in order to determine which parameters affect different aspects of performance. These relationships can then be used to predict performance during a single cycle in real-time and provide closed or open loop feedback to control furnace operation to result in enhanced performance.

A method for producing a ternary cathode material for lithium batteries by roasting raw material in a roasting kiln, wherein an atmosphere is provided in the roasting kiln, wherein injection of a gas component of the atmosphere into the roasting kiln is controlled in closed loop control manner, based on at least one process influencing parameter being measured, as well as an apparatus for producing a ternary cathode material.

An apparatus for controlling the concentration of oxygen in a heating furnace according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a first oxygen concentration bias setting unit for receiving a set first oxygen concentration bias; a second oxygen concentration bias calculation unit for, when a measured value of carbon monoxide in exhaust gas is out of an allowable carbon monoxide range, calculating a second oxygen concentration bias by using the measured value of carbon monoxide and the concentration of oxygen measured in the exhaust gas; an oxygen concentration bias providing unit for providing an oxygen concentration bias by using the first oxygen concentration bias and the second oxygen concentration bias; and an oxygen concentration set value correction unit for correcting a set value of the concentration of oxygen by using the oxygen concentration bias.

A control scheme for a furnace can use real-time and historical data to model performance and determine relationships between different data and performance parameters for use in correcting suboptimal performance of the furnace in real-time. Operational parameters can be logged throughout the cycle for all cycles for a period of time in order to establish a baseline. This data can then be used to calculate the performance of the process. A regression analysis can be carried out in order to determine which parameters affect different aspects of performance. These relationships can then be used to predict performance during a single cycle in real-time and provide closed or open loop feedback to control furnace operation to result in enhanced performance.

The invention relates to an arrangement of a furnace and of bulk material of glass particles, said furnace (10) comprising a pressing punch (36), a pressure, distance and/or speed sensor and a control device for controlling a pressing process based on the output signal of the sensor. The sensor detects at least a pressure, position and/or motion parameter of the pressing punch (36). The pressing punch (36) acts on the bulk material of glass particles (32)—possibly via an interposed ram (28)—, said glass particles being guided and crystallizable in a press channel (30). The trigger criterion for the process control is a change of at least a motion parameter of the pressing punch (36) upon softening of the bulk material of glass particles (32) which change is detected by the sensor.

A furnace monitoring system for monitoring a furnace over a span of time during furnace operation, including a thermal imaging apparatus, the apparatus is disposed outside of the furnace and at a distance from the exterior of the furnace to generate field signals of the furnace; a signal processing unit configured and programmed for receiving the field signals and generating a temperature map of the exterior of the furnace; and a means for displaying the temperature map locally or remotely. Wherein in that the furnace monitoring system is a system for monitoring the furnace over a span of time during furnace operation and in that the generated temperature map is divided into several zones, which correspond to different components of the furnace selected from burner, viewing port for burner observation, charging port, discharging port and flue gas channel.

In an example implementation, a sintering system includes a detection gas line to enable gas to flow into a sintering furnace from an external gas supply. The system includes a detection gas port inside the furnace through which gas from the detection gas line is to flow into the furnace, and a registration feature inside the furnace to enable positioning of a token green object proximate the gas detection port. The system includes a gas flow monitor to detect changes in gas flow through the detection gas line when the token green object shrinks during a sintering process in the furnace.