Apparatus and method for monitoring steel decarburization by remote flame emission spatial imaging spectroscopy

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring a stainless steel decarburization cess includes a flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and a telescopic lens system coupled to the spectrometer. The telescopic lens system is positioned to direct light from the furnace flame into the spectrometer. The flame emission imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at a remote distance away from the harsh environment of the furnace flame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for spectroscopic monitoring of a decarburization furnace having a furnace flame, the apparatus comprising a flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and   a telescopic lens system coupled to the spectrometer, wherein the telescopic lens system is positioned to direct light from the furnace flame into the spectrometer, and wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at an operator-safe distance away from the furnace flame.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is oriented with respect to the furnace flame so as to direct light from spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame into the spectrometer. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is oriented with respect to the furnace flame so that light that is directed from the furnace flame into the spectrometer represents a horizontal slice of the furnace flame. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at least about twenty-five feet from the furnace flame. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for generating spectral emissions data from the spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame, means for electronically transmitting the spectral emission data, and computer means electronically coupled to the flame emission spectrometer for receiving transmitted spectral emission data, for storing predetermined spectral emission data and for comparing transmitted spectral emission data with predetermined spectral emission data. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decarburization furnace is a basic oxygen decarburization furnace. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the decarburization furnace is an argon oxygen decarburization furnace. 
     
     
       8. A method of monitoring a stainless steel making process in a decarburization furnace having a furnace flame, the method comprising the steps of (1) providing a flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and a telescopic lens system coupled to the spectrometer, wherein the telescopic lens system is positioned to direct light from the furnace flame into the spectrometer and wherein the flame emission spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at an operator-safe distance away from the furnace flame,   (2) monitoring the spatial intensity and spatial spectral distribution of light emission from the furnace flame during the stainless steel making process for spectral peaks corresponding to carbon compounds.   
     
     
       9. The method of claim 8 wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are oriented with respect to the furnace flame so as to direct light from spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame into the spectrometer. 
     
     
       10. The method of claim 8 wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are oriented with respect to the furnace flame so that light that is directed from the furnace flame into the spectrometer represents a horizontal slice of the furnace flame. 
     
     
       11. The method of claim 8 wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at least about twenty-five feet from the furnace flame. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 8 wherein the decarburization furnace is a basic oxygen decarburization furnace. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 8 wherein the decarburization furnace is an argon oxygen decarburization furnace. 
     
     
       14. A method of monitoring a stainless steel making process in a decarburization furnace having a furnace flame, the method comprising the steps of (1) providing an apparatus including a flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and a telescopic lens system coupled to the spectrometer, wherein the telescopic lens system is positioned to direct light from the furnace flame into the spectrometer and wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at an operator-safe distance away from the furnace flame and wherein the apparatus is oriented with respect to the furnace flame so as to direct light from spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame into the spectrometer, means for generating spectral emission data from the spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame,   means for electronically transmitting spectral emission data, and   computer means electronically coupled to the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer for receiving transmitted spectral emission data, for storing predetermined spectral emission data and for comparing transmitted spectral emission data with predetermined spectral emission data, and     (2) monitoring the intensity and spectral distribution of light emission from the spatially discrete regions of the furnace flame during the stainless steel making process to generate spectral emission data, transmitting the spectral emission data to the computer means whereby the transmitted spectral emission data is compared with predetermined spectral emissions data.   
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14 wherein the flame emission spatial imaging spectrometer and the telescopic lens system are located at least about twenty-five feet from the furnace flame. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14 wherein the decarburization furnace is a basic oxygen decarburization furnace. 
     
     
       17. The method of claim 14 wherein the decarburization furnace is an argon oxygen decarburization furnace.