Profiling of hot surfaces by pulsed time-of-flight laser range finder techniques

Area of Science:

• Industrial instrumentation and measurement techniques.
• Optical sensing and laser technology.

Background:

• Accurate monitoring of refractory lining wear in high-temperature industrial environments, such as steel converters, is critical for operational safety and efficiency.
• Traditional measurement methods can be challenging due to extreme temperatures and harsh conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of the pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser radar technique for measuring hot refractory lining wear.
• To develop and present formulas for background radiation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and measurement resolution.
• To demonstrate the practical application and reliability of this technology in industrial settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of an experimental laser radar device utilizing a laser diode transmitter.
• Formulation of theoretical calculations for background radiation, SNR, and resolution.
• Testing and validation of the device under real industrial conditions at high temperatures (up to 1400 °C).

Main Results:

• Achieved a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 10 at distances up to 15-20 meters with a 10 W laser diode at 1400 °C.
• Obtained a single-shot resolution of approximately 60 mm (sigma), improvable to the millimeter range via averaging over 0.5 seconds.
• A commercial laser radar profiler based on the experimental design demonstrated reliable performance in real measurement scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The pulsed time-of-flight (TOF) laser radar technique is a viable and reliable method for measuring refractory lining wear in hot converters.
• The developed system provides accurate and dependable data crucial for monitoring lining wear rates in demanding steelworks applications.
• This technology offers a significant advancement for industrial process monitoring and safety.