Metallurgical production enterprises not only have a very close relationship with temperature, but they are also comprehensive system enterprises. In addition to specialized metallurgical equipment such as metallurgical furnaces, there are also auxiliary equipment such as electricity, appliances, and raw materials chemicals. Once these critical equipment have accidents, not only will there be huge economic losses, but there may also be personnel injuries. Therefore, using an IR thermography camera to detect equipment, understand and master the status of the equipment usage process, and identify problems and causes early, is of great significance in ensuring safe production operations, extending the service life of equipment, and lowering the risk. In the metallurgical industry, IR thermography camera technology is usually used in the following areas: detecting equipment status, reasonably arranging overhauls and extending equipment life; reducing thermal losses and saving energy; and improving existing processes through analysis of thermal images.
Using an IR thermography camera to detect the surface of a blast furnace in sections, and analyzing the temperature distribution of the obtained thermal images through infrared analysis software. In locations where there are no cooling devices present, inner lining defects can be directly determined by the different changes in the surface of the furnace skin. If the thermal image taken at a certain location indicates a rise in the temperature scale, it can be determined that the inner lining inside the furnace has already been corroded. For areas where cooling devices exist, the surface temperature distribution can be analyzed according to the thermal image to identify areas with relatively high temperature rises, indicating damage to the cooling wall or defects in the inner lining.
The use of an IR thermography camera to detect furnace lumps is a relatively direct and quick method. First, the surface to be inspected is divided into several areas for detection, and the temperature distribution of every small section of the furnace skin is recorded. Through comprehensive analysis of the low-temperature areas of each layer, it is possible to preliminarily diagnose the presence and location of lumps.
An infrared professional thermal imager can be used to detect a hot-blast stove by separating into two parts: the furnace body and the furnace top, and being careful to detect the junction between the sphere top and the cylinder body. The diagnosis will be very simple as the high-temperature zone in the thermal image corresponds directly to defects in the refractory lining.
An IR thermography camera can be used to diagnose a ladle's condition by shooting thermal images of it, determining the degree of corrosion of the ladle lining and seeking appropriate heating rates and baking times during the baking process.
The converter structure only has a furnace skin and inner lining, and no cooling parts. After shooting a thermal image of the converter's surface using the IR thermography camera technology, it is very direct to judge the degree of damage to the inner lining by analyzing its surface temperature.
By detecting the rotary kiln body with an IR thermography camera, it is possible to immediately diagnose the presence of defects in the inner lining corresponding to high-temperature abnormal areas in the thermal image, where the higher the temperature, the more serious the corresponding defect.
In addition, the metallurgical industry can also use IR thermography camera technology to detect electrical equipment used in the factory, such as transformers, substation switch contacts, and cable heads; large mechanical transmission devices, fan motor bearings; determine the temperature of the steel core and verify the liquid core rate of the steel ingot, reducing energy and material consumption, and improving the quality of steel ingots.
