About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Measurement & Control of High Temperature Processes
|
| Presentation Title |
High Spatial Resolution Monitoring for Furnace Sidewalls |
| Author(s) |
Nicholas Bartsch, Richard MacRosty, Susan Derrah, Horst Weyermuller, Azra Khan |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nicholas Bartsch |
| Abstract Scope |
Fibre optic sensor technology provides the distinct advantage of high spatial resolution, making it valuable for monitoring equipment in harsh industrial environments. Hatch first deployed fibre optic temperature sensing in a commercial smelting furnace in 2009, focusing on water-cooled tapblocks—critical high-usage components with severe failure consequences. More recently, Hatch has partnered with Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) to implement a Fibre Optic Monitoring System for furnace sidewalls. In this application, sensors are embedded directly into the refractory to guarantee constant contact rather than mounting on the outer steel shell due to the potential for air gaps between the shell and refractory, which can compromise measurement accuracy. However, embedding sensors introduces its own challenges, including replacement of compromised sensors due to exposure to extreme temperatures and refractory movement that results from thermal cycling. This paper details the RBM installation, outlining the application strategy and presenting key findings from the deployed system. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Process Technology, Pyrometallurgy, |