Reliable & Consistent
Furnace Tapping
Changes in furnace
geometry, operator inconsistency, and different charge
weights cause variability in furnace yield and slag
carryover. The Nupro Slag Vision furnace tapping system
optimizes productivity by guiding the operator
through the furnace tapping process.
Proven Technology
The system incorporates software enhanced near-IR camera
images of the tap stream and furnace interior from our
'aggressive environment' and 'extreme environment' cameras. These images
are combined with current and historical process data on a
single interface screen to guide the operator to an
optimized tap.
Example interface screen
showing tap stream image, furnace interior image, ladle
filling graphic, furnace angle graphic, and process data
analysis.
Typical system components
are shown in the following schematic diagram. Additional
components may be added as required by the specific
application.
 |
| Schematic
diagram showing the various components of the
SlagVision system. Additional cameras and displays
can be specified. |
Advanced Image Analysis
The stream is colorized to suit the
specific needs of the operators.
Slag content of the stream
surface is indicated by red areas in the image. Alarms warn the
operator of slag carryover.
At some times during the tap, smoke and
fume may obscure the operators view. The operator can use
SlagVision for a view of the tap stream from a different
angle, sometimes away from the smoke and fume.
SlagVision is an excellent training tool.
Through the use of Tap PlayBack, operators can be taught the
various types of stream color and morphology to recognize
tapping problems early.
Basic System
Our basic economical
system includes the following components:
'Near-IR' camera and lens in an industrial enclosure.
Industrial image processing unit
Fiber optic signal transmission for noise free images
Basic display software.
Advanced Options
Our advanced options improve
the ease of use and help realize additional yield
improvements, shorter tap times, and ultimately savings.
Integration to plant systems for automated video & data archiving.
Custom use interface.
Remote screens for melter and operator.
Additional cameras can be added to view the mouth of the furnace.
Slag Vision - Tap Station Display
Tapping information is
displayed in the control pulpit and at the tap station
pulpit. Custom interface graphics, display locations, and
display types can be provided.
Slag Vision - Aggessive Environment Camera
Used for tap
stream imaging and ladle viewing, our standard camera housing
is built for the steel plant environment with either dry gas
or water cooled configurations.
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- Aggressive environment camera
enclosure, both uninstalled (middle left) and
installed (top right) for a tap stream view.
- Example image (top left) of
the normal and software enhanced (inside circle) tap
stream view.
- Operator initiated slag
carryover (bottom left) at the end of tap; airborne
slag is visible with the tap stream left of center.
|
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 |
The Nupro Aggressive Environment camera
and housing has been used for imaging the tap stream,
furnace lip, ladle interior and tundish pour-box.
Slag Vision - Extreme Environment Camera
This low maintenance camera
and enclosure can be implemented in extreme environments
such as near the mouth of a QBOP vessel, shown below. Clear
furnace interior images help the operator optimize the
furnace tap.
Extreme environment
camera used to view QBOP
furnace interior during tapping. The tuyeres appear
as dark circles in the photograph (top right).
|
Close proximity of
vessel mouth to the furnace enclosure wall requires
use of a specialized camera enclosure such as the
Nupro Extreme Environment Camera to view inside the
vessel. |
Service position. |
Operating position. |
For more information, contact us at the
phone number or address below. |
