Furnace panel leak detection system

Abstract

A furnace panel leak monitoring and control system for fluid-cooled panels in high temperature industrial furnaces such as, for example, smelting furnaces, blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces. The system performs at least two and up four functions simultaneously. At minimum, the system includes one or more temperature sensors received within the body of the panel to monitor temperature within the metal of the panel itself, and pressure sensors installed proximate the inlet and outlet of each panel coolant fluid circuit, which circuits are preferably periodically automatically tested, to check for leaks in the coolant circuits. In addition, the system preferably includes temperature and flow sensors for monitoring the furnace panel coolant circuit(s) for temperature and flow fluctuations, respectively, which may be indicative of leaking cooling circuits. The system triggers visual and/or audible alarm means to alert a human operator of an apparent coolant fluid leak situation.

1 . A fluid-cooled furnace panel comprising:
 a metallic body; and   a plurality of coolant fluid conduits in said body, wherein each of said conduits is isolated from fluid communication with one another and possesses sufficient flow capacity to independently cool said body without interrupting operation of a furnace containing the panel.