IMMERSION DEVICE FOR TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT AND METHOD FOR POSITION DETECTION

Abstract

The invention relates to an immersion device and a method for detecting a position of an optical cored wire using an immersion device. An immersion device for measuring a temperature of a metal melt inside an electric arc furnace vessel with an optical cored wire comprises a blowing lance for blowing purge gas into an entry point to the vessel and a detecting means for detecting a position of the optical cored wire. The optical cored wire can be moved in a feeding channel and/or in the blowing lance relative to the entry point. The detecting means is configured to detect the presence of the optical cored wire in or close to the blowing lance. This enables short distances between the leading end of the fiber and the melt and, thus, short time intervals between temperature measurement sequences.

Claims

1. An immersion device (10) for measuring a temperature of a metal melt (64) inside an electric arc furnace (60) vessel (62) with an optical cored wire (50), the immersion device (10) comprising a blowing lance (28) for blowing purge gas into an entry point to the vessel (62) and a detecting means for detecting a position of the optical cored wire (50), wherein the optical cored wire (50) can be moved in a feeding channel (20) and/or in the blowing lance (28) relative to the entry point, characterized in that the detecting means is configured to detect the presence of the optical cored wire (50) in or close to the blowing lance (28).

2. The immersion device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a detector for measuring a property of a gas flow (38), wherein the detector is in particular configured for measuring a flow rate of the gas flow (38), a flow velocity of the gas flow (38) and/or a gas pressure in the gas flow (38).

3. The immersion device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises an inductive sensor for detecting the presence of the optical cored wire (50).

4. The immersion device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the immersion device (10) comprises a moving means (74) for moving the optical cored wire (50) in the feeding channel (20) and/or in the blowing lance (28) relative to the entry point.

5. The immersion device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the moving means (74) is configured for feeding the optical cored wire (50) from a coil (76) and for winding unused fiber on the coil (76).

6. The immersion device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the feeding channel (20) or the blowing lance (28) has a first opening (21) and a second opening (22), wherein a gas supply means can be connected with the first opening (21) for introducing pressurized gas into the first opening (21) and wherein the detector is connected with the second opening (22) by means of a detector line (34).

7. The immersion device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) are aligned coaxially, wherein the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) are in particular arranged on opposite positions of the cross-section of the feeding channel (20) or the blowing lance (28), respectively.

8. The immersion device (10) according to claim 6, wherein, the feeding channel (20) has a straight portion (24) positioned adjacent to the blowing lance (28) and a bent portion (26) positioned adjacent to the straight portion (24), wherein the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) are positioned close to a location (25) in which the straight portion (24) and the bent portion (26) meet, or the blowing lance (28) is straight for feeding the optical cored wire (50) along a straight path towards the melt (64) and the feeding channel (20) has a bent portion (26) positioned adjacent to the blowing lance (28), wherein the first opening (21) and the second opening (22) are positioned close to a location in which the blowing lance (28) and the feeding channel (20) meet.

9. The immersion device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the immersion device (10) comprises a purge gas line (30) for connecting a high-pressure gas source to the blowing lance (28) in order to generate a first purge gas flow in the blowing lance (28) towards the melt (64).

10. The immersion device (10) according to claim 9, wherein an end of the blowing lance (28) which is directed towards the melt (64) is realized as a de Laval nozzle (44).

11. The immersion device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the immersion device (10) comprises a control device for controlling movement of a leading end (52) of the optical cored wire (50) into the melt (64) and/or out of the melt (64) by the moving means (74).

12. The immersion device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the immersion device (10) is configured such that the detecting means can monitor the presence of the optical cored wire (50) at a particular position during movement of the optical cored wire (50), and the movement of the optical cored wire (50) can be stopped after it has been detected that a leading end (52) of the optical cored wire (50) has passed the position.

13. A method for detecting a position of an optical cored wire (50) using an immersion device (10) according to claim 1, the method comprising: Moving, by a moving means (74), the optical cored wire (50) in the feeding channel (20) and/or in the blowing lance (28), Detecting, by the detecting means, whether the optical cored wire (50) is present at a position in or close to the blowing lance (28).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the immersion device (10) comprises a first opening (21) and a second opening (22) in the feeding channel (20) or the blowing lance (28) and the detecting means comprises a detector connected with the second opening (22), the step of detecting comprising: Introducing pressurized gas into the first opening (21), and Detecting, by the detector, a property of a gas flow (38).

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of moving includes retracting the optical cored wire (50) away from the melt (64) at a first velocity, stopping the retracting movement and moving the optical cored wire (50) forward towards the melt (64) at a second velocity which is lower than the first velocity, wherein the presence of the optical cored wire (50) is detected during the retracting movement and during the forward movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] In the following, an exemplary implementation of the invention is explained in more detail using figures. Features of the exemplary implementation can be combined individually or in a plurality with the claimed objects, unless otherwise indicated. The claimed scopes of protection are not limited to the exemplary implementation.

[0049] The figures show:

[0050] FIG. 1: a sectional side view of an immersion device;

[0051] FIG. 2: a front view of an immersion device;

[0052] FIG. 3: a perspective view of an immersion device;

[0053] FIG. 4: a sectional side view of a detail of an immersion device;

[0054] FIG. 5: a schematic section of another detail of an immersion device; and

[0055] FIG. 6: a view of an electric arc furnace with the immersion device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of an immersion device 10 according to the invention for measuring a temperature of a metal melt in an EAF vessel by means of an optical cored wire 50. The optical cored wire 50 is aligned vertically in order to be fed into the melt through the feeding channel 20 and the blowing lance 28 in a downward direction using the moving means which are arranged at a certain distance in the upward direction but, however, not depicted here. Preferably, the moving means feeds the optical cored wire 50 from a coil arranged in the upward direction and rewinds unused fiber back to the coil.

[0057] The immersion device 10 comprises a blowing lance 28 for blowing purge gas in a downward direction into an entry point of the vessel. Details are shown in FIG. 6. The blowing lance 28 is a metal tube with an internal space 32 in which the optical cored wire 50 can be moved, surrounded by purge gas. The forward end of the blowing lance 28 which is directed towards the melt is realized as de Laval nozzle 44. With respect to the longitudinal extension of the optical cored wire 50, the blowing lance 28 is positioned at an axially forward position adjacent to the feeding channel 20. In the embodiment shown here the feeding channel 20 comprises a feeding tube 29 made of metal and a vertically aligned guiding channel formed by a central body 72 of the immersion device 10. Said guiding channel is arranged axially adjacent to and coaxially with the blowing lance 28 and the feeding tube 29. It is arranged between the blowing lance 28 and the feeding tube 29, as depicted also in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, the blowing lance 28 can be positioned axially adjacent to the feeding tube 29.

[0058] The blowing lance 28 is attached to the central body 72 in a detachable manner. The feeding tube 29 is shown in a partially cutaway view in FIGS. 1 and 3 so that the optical cored wire 50 is visible. In particular, however, the feeding tube 29 continues further up to the moving means.

[0059] The immersion device 10 comprises a detecting means for detecting a position of the optical cored wire 50. The detecting means is configured for detecting the presence of the leading end 52 of the optical cored wire 50 close to the upper end of the blowing lance 28. The detecting means comprises a detector for measuring a property of a gas flow. Said detector is connected to the detector line but not shown here. The detecting means further comprises in the feeding channel 20 a first opening 21 and a second opening 22 which are arranged coaxially. In the shown embodiment, the openings 21 and 22 are arranged on opposite positions of the cross-section of the guiding channel formed by the central body 72 of the immersion device 10. The first opening 21 is connected to a gas supply means (not shown here) to realize a flow of pressurized gas through the first opening 21 into the feeding channel 20 and out of the feeding channel 20 through the second opening 22. When the leading end 52 of the optical cored wire 50 is moved forward or backward and passes the openings, the gas flow is influenced which can be detected by the detector. In one configuration, the detection is a pressure measurement. Pressure changes linked to the position of the leading end 52 are detected. While the leading end 52 is present between the blowing and receiving side (first opening 21 and second opening 22, respectively) a low pressure is observed. Once the gas path is free of obstructions a higher pressure is observed. Pressure measurement is particularly robust and durable.

[0060] The immersion device 10 comprises a purge gas line 32 for connecting a high-pressure gas source in order to establish a purge gas flow in the blowing lance 28 towards the melt contained inside the EAF vessel. In the embodiment shown here, the purge gas line 30 is connected to a flow divider 40 realized as a chamber with at least two outlet openings. At least one outlet opening is connected to a first line 41 extending circumferentially around the guiding channel of the central body 72. Said first line 41 is configured to lead the introduced gas into the space 32 of the blowing lance 28 in order to establish the purge gas flow. At least one further outlet opening is connected to a second line 42 extending radially which is connected to the first opening 21 to generate the gas flow for the position detection.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a device 10, in particular the device 10 of FIG. 1, in front view. FIG. 3 shows a device 10, in particular the device of FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2, in a perspective view. It is visible that the device 10 comprises two clamping devices 70 which allow for a quick and easy replacement of the blowing lance 28 without any tools. The clamping devices 70 each comprise clamping means which exert a compressive force onto a flange of the of the blowing lance 28 and a flange of the central body 72, pressing them together in the axial direction, when the clamping devices 70 are in the closed position. The clamping devices 70 each comprise a handle 71 which can be pivoted to open the clamping devices 70 to replace the blowing lance 28 and to close the clamping devices 70 to attach the blowing lance 28 without any tool.

[0062] FIG. 5 schematically shows a detail of another configuration of the immersion device in which the feeding channel 20 is realized as feeding tube 29 and positioned adjacent to the blowing lance 28. The blowing lance 28 is straight for feeding the optical cored wire 50 on a straight path towards the melt. The feeding channel 29 has a bent portion 26 in order to save space. Location 25 is positioned between the straight portion 24 represented by the blowing lance 28 and the bent portion 26. The axial position of the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 and, thus, of the inlet of the purge gas line 30 and the connection of the detector line 34, is on or close to the location 25. Pressurized gas is divided into a purge gas flow inside the blowing lance 28 and a gas flow 38 to be measured. The gas forming the gas flow 38 of which the pressure or the flow is to be measured enters through the first opening 21. The positions of the openings 21, 22 may also be swapped. The openings 21, 22 are aligned coaxially and arranged on opposite positions of the cross-section of the feeding channel 20 and the blowing lance 28.

[0063] FIG. 6 shows an electric arc furnace (EAF) 60 with an immersion device 10. The EAF 60 comprises a vessel 62 containing the metal melt 64, a movable lid 68 and a platform 67 arranged on the side of the vessel 62. The entry point into the vessel 62 through which the optical cored wire 50 enters the vessel 62 is arranged on the platform 67. The immersion device 10 is also arranged on the platform 67. FIG. 6 shows the relative positions of the immersion device and the EAF in a merely schematic manner. However, the immersion device is typically configured to be fixed on the platform 67, such that the feeding tube 29, the blowing lance 28 and the leading end 52 remain stationary when the vessel 62 is tilted during operation.

[0064] The optical cored wire 50 is arranged on a coil 76. It is moved, i.e. uncoiled from the coil 76 and wound back onto the coil 76, by a moving means 74. The moving means 74 comprises rollers for moving the optical cored wire 50 and may include a servo motor to drive at least one of the rollers. Between the moving means 74 and the blowing lance 28, the optical cored wire 50 is guided inside the feeding channel 20. The feeding channel 20 has a bent portion 26 and straight portion 24 directed towards the vessel 62. The feeding channel comprises a feeding tube 29 and a guiding channel formed by the central body of the immersion device 10. For the sake of clarity, the detecting means is not shown here.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0065] Immersion device 10

[0066] Feeding channel 20

[0067] First opening 21

[0068] Second opening 22

[0069] Straight portion 24

[0070] Location 25

[0071] Bent portion 26

[0072] Blowing lance 28

[0073] Feeding tube 29

[0074] Purge gas line 30

[0075] Space 32

[0076] Detector line 34

[0077] Gas flow 38

[0078] Flow divider 40

[0079] First line 41

[0080] Second line 42

[0081] De Laval nozzle 44

[0082] Optical cored wire 50

[0083] Leading end 52

[0084] Electric arc furnace 60

[0085] Vessel 62

[0086] Melt 64

[0087] Platform 67

[0088] Lid 68

[0089] Clamping device 70

[0090] Handle 71

[0091] Central body 72

[0092] Moving means 74

[0093] Coil 76