Steel Sensors


The U.S. steel industry believes that better sensors in the primary steelmaking process can save energy and improve its competitiveness. Working with the American Iron and Steel Institute and the Department of Energy's Office of Industrial Technology, Sandia has developed an in-situ optical sensor that measures gas temperature and CO and CO₂ absorption line intensities through the furnace off-gas during steelmaking. Based on mid-infrared tunable diode lasers, these sensors offer steelmakers the possibility of real-time process control in high-temperature, high-velocity, particle-laden streams by means of remote, noncontacting measurements.

Such instruments will be invaluable for controlling and optimizing post-combustion and foaming slag practices, addressing industry needs for improved energy efficiency and emissions control, and developing automated process controls. Sarah Allendorf and Dave Ottesen working in the Industrial Sensors Laboratory and at three steelmaking facilities (Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point, Weirton Steel, and Timken) have found good correlations with endpoint carbon and temperature at the basic oxygen facilities (BOF). Early tests at Timken's electric-arc furnace show promise for post-combustion control and off-gas temperature optimization.