Abrégé

The invention provides an apparatus and a method for rapid, repeatable and accurate measurements of elemental composition of molten metal or alloy using an immersive tube. A gas discharging system and gas exit holes are included for controlling the flow of gas. The gas discharging system directs the flowing gas to a sampling point. When the tube is immersed in a body of molten metal or alloy such that the lower end of the tube and the one or more gas exit holes become arranged below the surface level of the body of molten metal or alloy, molten metal or alloy will flow into the tube through and form a sampling surface. The sampling surface becomes positioned within the tube at a level below the gas exit holes. The gas discharging system will establish a well-defined and near-homogeneous chemical environment around the sampling point.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement

Classes IPC  ?

• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission
• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement

Abrégé

A method for allowing reproducible, precise, and substantially temperature independent quantitative measurements of one or more high vapor pressure elements in a liquid metal or alloy sample using Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) or other similar methods. The method introduces one or more selectively reactive species and a substantially inert carrier gas to modify the local environment at and around the sampling point of the liquid metal or alloy. This results in a significant and immediate reduction of the vapor effects on LIBS signals of high vapor pressure species in metal or alloy melts, partially eliminating the temperature-dependence of the high vapor pressure elements and their dependence on spurious environmental factors, reducing the associated uncertainty in the LIBS measurements.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission

Abrégé

An apparatus and method for safe, timely and precise analytical composition measurements of a body of molten metal or alloy arranged in a metal furnace using an evacuated hollow tube to extract a sample of a melt from the body of molten metal or alloy. With the invention, the need for human intervention in sample extraction may be minimized, e.g., transportation of and preparation of a sample. The method comprises configuring a hollow tube to a metal furnace, establishing vacuum conditions within the hollow tube to extract the molten metal or alloy into the hollow tube to form a liquid metal or alloy column within said tube and carrying out elemental composition measurements on said liquid metal or alloy using known techniques such as Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS).

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01N 21/85 - Analyse des fluides ou solides granulés en mouvement

Abrégé

LIBS measurement systems are disclosed that are configured to monitor the temperature of a molten metal sample during cooling of the molten metal sample in a crucible, and to initiate a LIBS measurement after the temperature of the molten metal sample satisfies measurement temperature criteria. The system may also monitor the temperature of an empty crucible to assist in ensuring that the crucible temperature is (i) sufficiently high to ensure that after the molten metal sample is delivered to the crucible and cools to satisfy the measurement temperature criteria, a sufficiently low cooling rate of the molten metal sample occurs during the LIBS measurement, and (ii) optionally sufficiently low to avoid an unnecessarily long cooling time of the molten metal sample prior to satisfying the measurement temperature criteria and initiation of the LIBS measurement. The LIBS measurement system may be mobile and battery-powered, and may include an integrated calibration station.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01N 33/205 - Métaux à l’état liquide, p. ex. métaux fondus

Produits et services

Scientific, research, weighing, measuring, signalling, detecting, testing, inspecting and teaching apparatus and instruments; apparatus and instruments for recording, transmitting, reproducing or processing sound, images or data; computer software applications, downloadable; recorded and downloadable media; blank digital or analogue recording and storage media; chemical laboratory apparatus and instruments. Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto; industrial analysis, industrial research and industrial design services; quality control and authentication services; design and development of computer hardware and software; chemical research and analysis; software as a service [saas].

Produits et services

Scientific, research, measuring, signalling, detecting, testing, and inspecting, apparatus and instruments, namely, portable and stationary chemical composition analyzers, automated liquid-metal laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzers, robots for automated extraction and sampling of molten metals; apparatus and instruments for recording, transmitting, reproducing or processing sound, images, or data; downloadable computer software applications for real-time chemical composition analysis in the field of molten metal processing; Pre-recorded media, namely, downloadable videos, digital training materials, and electronic publications featuring real-time chemical analysis, process control for the aluminum and metal production industries; Blank digital storage media; recording media in the nature of blank CD-ROMs and USB drives for storing and recording data, sound, or video related to industrial process monitoring, molten metal analysis, and chemical composition measurement; chemical laboratory apparatus and instruments, namely, portable and stationary chemical composition analyzers, and automated liquid-metal laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzers for real-time process control in molten metal processing Scientific and technological services, namely, aluminum smelter potroom management relating to optimization of tapping schedules, extending the operational lifetime of pots, reducing the risk of error through next-to-pot analysis, instant detection of sample contamination, and minimizing laboratory costs; Scientific and technological services, namely, analysis of molten metal using robotic extraction of metal for correct routing of materials for an aluminum smelter cast house, optimizing furnace charging, and facilitating aluminum alloy processing; Scientific and technological services, namely, optimization of furnace loading, increasing throughput, enhancing energy efficiency, minimizing scrap and rework, and improving operator safety; Scientific and technological services, namely, aluminum smelter launder services to provide fully automated chemical composition analysis for primary metal and alloys using stationary equipment for generating a complete chemical profile during casting; Industrial molten metal analysis; industrial research in the field of molten metal processing, aluminum production, and real-time chemical composition measurement; industrial design services relating to analytical instruments and process monitoring systems; industrial design services; quality control for others; Quality control for others in the field of metal production and processing; authentication of metal composition and material quality through real-time chemical analysis; design and development of computer hardware and software; chemical research and analysis; Software as a service (SAAS) services featuring software for data acquisition, visualization, and analysis in the field of molten metal processing and aluminum production; providing online non-downloadable software for monitoring, storing, and managing real-time chemical composition and process data from analytical measurement devices

Abrégé

A modified method and apparatus for measuring elements in a liquid metal or alloy sample (23) with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The apparatus comprises a pulsed excitation laser (1) and an instrument head (6) comprising a laser path channel (10), laser excitation optics (2), receiving optics for receiving emission from a plasma (3) created by the interaction of the laser (1) and the sample (23), an open-bottom chamber (5) extending upwardly from a flat bottom surface (7) of the instrument head (6), the laser path channel (10) extending to said chamber (5), and preferably a gas channel (12) for feeding gas to the open-bottom chamber (5). The laser (1) and laser excitation optics (2) are configured such that when the instrument head (6) is at a distance from a sample surface in the range of 1-10 mm, the focal point of the pulsed excitation laser is beneath the sample surface at a distance which is more than one Rayleigh length of the focused excitation laser beam.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01N 33/205 - Métaux à l’état liquide, p. ex. métaux fondus
• G01N 21/15 - Prévention de la souillure des éléments du système optique ou de l'obstruction du chemin lumineux

Abrégé

LIBS measurement systems are disclosed that are configured to monitor a temperature of a molten metal sample (10) during cooling of the molten metal sample in a crucible (20), and to initiate a LIBS measurement after the temperature of the molten metal sample satisfies measurement temperature criteria. The system may also monitor the temperature of an empty crucible to assist in ensuring that the crucible temperature is (i) sufficiently high to ensure that after the molten metal sample is delivered to the crucible and cools to satisfy the measurement temperature criteria, a sufficiently low cooling rate of the molten metal sample occurs during the LIBS measurement, and (ii) optionally sufficiently low to avoid an unnecessarily long cooling time of the molten metal sample prior to satisfying the measurement temperature criteria and initiation of the LIBS measurement. The LIBS measurement system may be mobile and battery-powered, and may include an integrated calibration station (500).

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement

Abrégé

LIBS measurement systems are disclosed that are configured to monitor a temperature of a molten metal sample (10) during cooling of the molten metal sample in a crucible (20), and to initiate a LIBS measurement after the temperature of the molten metal sample satisfies measurement temperature criteria. The system may also monitor the temperature of an empty crucible to assist in ensuring that the crucible temperature is (i) sufficiently high to ensure that after the molten metal sample is delivered to the crucible and cools to satisfy the measurement temperature criteria, a sufficiently low cooling rate of the molten metal sample occurs during the LIBS measurement, and (ii) optionally sufficiently low to avoid an unnecessarily long cooling time of the molten metal sample prior to satisfying the measurement temperature criteria and initiation of the LIBS measurement. The LIBS measurement system may be mobile and battery-powered, and may include an integrated calibration station (500).

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement

Abrégé

A non-contact, non-immersive method and apparatus are provided for accurately measuring quantitatively one or more elements in liquid metal or alloy samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The method is particularly useful for process and/or quality control within the metallurgy industry for accurately and very quickly measuring minor component or impurity elements in liquid metal in the production process, without touching the liquid metal and without the need for cooling and solidifying samples for analysis. In the method and apparatus a pre-determined distance is dynamically maintained between emission receiving optics and the surface of a liquid sample being analysed and the instrument does not come in contact with the liquid metal surface. Liquid samples are heated and/or maintained at a desired temperature. For many elements, values for limit-of-detection, measurement repeatability and accuracy about or below 1 ppm are achieved using this method.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission
• G01N 33/205 - Métaux à l’état liquide, p. ex. métaux fondus

Abrégé

A modified method and apparatus for measuring elements in a liquid metal or alloy sample (23) with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The apparatus comprises a pulsed excitation laser (1) and an instrument head (6) comprising a laser path channel (10), laser excitation optics (2), receiving optics for receiving emission from a plasma (3) created by the interaction of the laser (1) and the sample (23), an open-bottom chamber (5) extending upwardly from a flat bottom surface (7) of the instrument head (6), the laser path channel (10) extending to said chamber (5), and preferably a gas channel (12) for feeding gas to the open-bottom chamber (5). The laser (1) and laser excitation optics (2) are configured such that when the instrument head (6) is at a distance from a sample surface in the range of 1-10 mm, the focal point of the pulsed excitation laser is beneath the sample surface at a distance which is more than one Rayleigh length of the focused excitation laser beam.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission
• G01N 33/205 - Métaux à l’état liquide, p. ex. métaux fondus

Abrégé

A modified method and apparatus for measuring elements in a liquid metal or alloy sample (23) with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). The apparatus comprises a pulsed excitation laser (1) and an instrument head (6) comprising a laser path channel (10), laser excitation optics (2), receiving optics for receiving emission from a plasma (3) created by the interaction of the laser (1) and the sample (23), an open-bottom chamber (5) extending upwardly from a flat bottom surface (7) of the instrument head (6), the laser path channel (10) extending to said chamber (5), and preferably a gas channel (12) for feeding gas to the open-bottom chamber (5). The laser (1) and laser excitation optics (2) are configured such that when the instrument head (6) is at a distance from a sample surface in the range of 1-10 mm, the focal point of the pulsed excitation laser is beneath the sample surface at a distance which is more than one Rayleigh length of the focused excitation laser beam.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission
• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement
• G01N 33/205 - Métaux à l’état liquide, p. ex. métaux fondus

Abrégé

A non-contact, non-immersive method and apparatus are provided for accurately measuring quantitatively one or more elements in liquid metal or alloy samples using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). The method is particularly useful for process and/or quality control within the metallurgy industry for accurately and very quickly measuring minor component or impurity elements in liquid metal in the production process, without touching the liquid metal and without the need for cooling and solidifying samples for analysis. In the method and apparatus a pre-determined distance is dynamically maintained between emission receiving optics and the surface of a liquid sample being analysed and the instrument does not come in contact with the liquid metal surface. Liquid samples are heated and/or maintained at a desired temperature. For many elements, values for limit-of-detection, measurement repeatability and accuracy about or below 1 ppm are achieved using this method.

Classes IPC  ?

• G01J 3/443 - Spectrométrie par émission
• G01N 21/71 - Systèmes dans lesquels le matériau analysé est excité de façon à ce qu'il émette de la lumière ou qu'il produise un changement de la longueur d'onde de la lumière incidente excité thermiquement