Measuring the temperature distribution of the top gas in blast furnaces
At Metec, IMI Z&J Technologies GmbH will present the new 2D gas temperature measuring system t-matriX for blast furnaces. The system measures the distribution of the top gas temperature in two dimensions. This provides much more information than systems making spot-type measurements. Due to the solid sensor equipment and the fact that it is installed outside the blast furnace, the system is also less costly and less maintenance-intensive.
The t-matriX system consists of several interlinked transmitter and receiver units of identical design, distributed along the circumference of the blast furnace. As they are installed outside the furnace chamber, they are accessible at any time. t-matriX uses the principle of acoustic pyrometry, i.e. the principle that the speed of sound in a gas changes as a function of temperature.
The system measures the time it takes for an acoustic signal to propagate between the transmitter and receiver units. From the individual, integral sound propagation times, the tomographic software of the system calculates the temperature distribution in the measurement plane. This technique no longer measures the top gas temperature at certain spots, as used to be common practice in the past, but in two dimensions across the entire furnace chamber. The system not only measures and calculates the temperature distribution. It is also designed to automatically determine hot spots.
The acoustic signal is generated by means of nitrogen. For this purpose, in one of the transmission and receiver units a solenoid valve is opened, releasing nitrogen which will flow through the unit now acting as transmitter. The resulting noise is recorded by a microphone in the transmitter and stored as a reference signal. The individual microphones of the other seven units will receive a broadband noise, which will be compared with the stored transmitted signal by means of a dedicated correlation technique. From this, the tomographic software will calculate and graphically display the temperature distribution in the respective plane. The system provides the results virtually in real time. The readings are updated every three to four seconds. The gas temperature measurements by the system are not influenced by radiation effects resulting from the heavily dust-laden atmosphere in the blast furnace.
In addition to the 2D analysis, the system provides various other advantages over conventional temperature gauges. No equipment is installed inside the blast furnace. The transmission and receiver units are mounted on studs outside the furnace chamber. All that is needed is a drill-hole in the refractory brickwork. The system can be serviced while the furnace is in operation.
To summarize the benefits: t-matriX provides a lot more information than a system that makes spot measurements. However, its life-cycle costs are significantly lower due to its solid sensor equipment and the low maintenance effort involved.
Blast furnace operators using this system in combination with IMI Z&J“s solution p-matriX – a system providing a three-dimensional image of the burden geometry – will benefit from highly valuable information about the processes going on inside the blast furnace, which was not available to them in the past. Both systems can at any time be retrofitted to existing blast furnaces, irrespectively of the type of blast furnace top.
IMI Z&J at Metec 2015 (16 – 20 June in Düsseldorf, Germany):
Hall 4, stand E17
About IMI Z&J
IMI Z&J is an international leader in custom-engineered high-temperature valves and equipment for the Iron & Steel, Glass, Petrochemical and Refining industries.
More than 135 years of experience and application of latest engineering technology and fabrication procedures guarantee unique, high-quality, specialized valves. We also provide our customers in the Iron & Steel business with special plants for blast furnaces, in particular: „Energy Recovery Turbine Units“, „No-Bell Top“ charging devices and burden measurement equipment („t-matriX“ and „p-matriX“).
Commissioning, repair and overhaul of our products, installed worldwide, also belong to our core business.
Our in-house engineering assets enable IMI Z&J to offer customized solutions for critical applications in the industries we serve. High operating temperatures, large nominal valve sizes up to 6 m diameter – larger by request – together with high frequency of actuation and very long maintenance-free operating periods are IMI Z&J´s specialty.
Concerning safety and environmental compatibility, our products always fulfil the most recent and highest specifications. An extensive and internationally recognized quality management system (ISO 9001:2000 / PED 97/23/EC) with additional international special approvals guarantees products of the highest quality of workmanship.
Over the years, IMI Z&J engineers have been working closely with end-users, technology licensors and operators to develop advanced technologies to lower overall long-term operating and investment costs of high temperature valves and special equipment.
The customers of IMI Z&J include world-leading steel companies like ArcelorMittal, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann, Salzgitter Flachstahl, TATA Steel, ThyssenKrupp Steel and voestalpine.
Firmenkontakt
Z&J Technologies GmbH
Josef Weitz
Bahnstraße 52
52355 Düren
+49.2421.691-305
+49.2421.691-4305
josef.weitz@imi-critical.com
www.imi-critical.com
Pressekontakt
VIP-Kommunikation
Regina Reinhardt
Süsterfeldstraße 83
52072 Aachen
+49.241.89468-24
reinhardt@vip-kommunikation.de
www.vip-kommunikation.de
