Measurement of molten metal with ion conducting phase sensors by means of an electrical measuring unit

• US 20040119483A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andion GmbH
• Original Assignee: Andion GmbH
• Inventors: Topfer, Gunter, Hartung, Rudiger
• Application Number:
  US10/327,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20040119483A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/646
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/205 in liquid state, e.g. molten metals

Abstract

The invention is directed to a sensor unit for measuring the concentration of lesser components of a molten bath wherein the sensor unit includes a casing with an interior, an opening for measuring and a connecting area whereby a sensor with a reference electrode is arranged in the interior of the casing and is electrically insulated from the casing and there exist a means of measuring an electric potential between the casing and the sensor. The sensor unit can be used in a measuring unit and used in a method to make refined metals.

Claims

1. A sensor unit for measuring the concentration of lesser components of a molten bath comprising a casing with an interior, an opening for measuring and a connecting area, whereby a sensor with a reference electrode is arranged in the interior and is electrically insulated against the casing, and a means of measuring an electric potential between the casing and the sensor, characterized in that the reference electrode and the opening for measuring are interconnected in such a way that gas is allowed to pass through.

2. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the reference electrode is arranged on a side of the sensor facing away from the opening for measuring, and the sensor is gas permeable.

3. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the sensor partially includes an ion conducting phase.

4. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the sensor is interconnected with the casing by means of an insulating layer.

5. The sensor unit of claim 4 wherein the insulating layer and the sensor form a seal to prevent an accumulation of molten bath in the interior of the casing.

6. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the casing is provided with a projection that fixes the position of the sensor and at least partially extends over the side of the sensor facing the opening for measuring.

7. The sensor unit of claim 1 where in the interior of the casing, a casing contact and a sensor contact are arranged in such a way that they are electrically insulated against one another, whereby there is an electrically conductive connection between the casing contact and the casing, and an electrically conductive connection between the sensor contact and the sensor.

8. The sensor unit of claim 7 wherein the sensor contact is arranged directly next to the sensor and the sensor contact is provided with a surrounding insulation ring.

9. The sensor unit of claim 7 wherein the casing contact is annular with a canal and is lodged in a notch of the casing.

10. The sensor unit of claim 9 wherein the canal has a diameter that is larger than dimensions measurements of the sensor contact such that they are spatially separated from and electrically insulated against each other.

11. The sensor unit of claim 1 wherein the opening for measuring is surrounded by a cylindrical shield that has flow openings.

12. A measuring unit including a sensor unit for measuring the concentration of lesser components of a molten bath comprising a casing with an interior, an opening for measuring and a connecting area, whereby a sensor with a reference electrode is arranged in the interior and is electrically insulated against the casing, and a means of measuring an electric potential between the casing and the sensor, characterized in that the reference electrode and the opening for measuring are interconnected in such a way that gas is allowed to pass through;

and a lance for immersing the sensor unit in a molten bath, characterized in that the lance is provided with a connecting section, which together with the connecting area of the sensor unit forms a detachable and sealed connection.

13. The measuring unit of claim 12 wherein the lance is provided with an end piece containing a nitride and the connecting section has sealing receptacles for at least two lance contacts, wherein the lance contacts are arranged such that one first lance contact is interconnected with the casing contact and that second lance contact is interconnected with the sensor contact.

14. The measuring unit in accordance with claim 12 wherein the first lance contact or the second lance contact is comprised of an electrically conductive fibber material.

15. The measuring unit of claim 12 wherein the lance contacts and the respective casing contact and the respective sensor contact have different breaking qualities, so that movements relative to one another can be offset without breaking the electric contact.

16. The measuring unit of claim 12 wherein the first lance contact is interconnected with a casing conductor and the second lance contact is interconnected with a sensor conductor which are interconnected with a display for electric signals.

17. A method for producing a refined metal by means of a molten bath, comprising the following steps:

a) measuring a share of one component contained in the molten bath in addition to the refined metal by means of a sensor comprising a casing with an interior, an opening for measuring and a connecting area, whereby a sensor with a reference electrode is arranged in the interior and is electrically insulated against the casing, and a means of measuring an electric potential between the casing and the sensor, characterized in that the reference electrode and the opening for measuring are interconnected in such a way that gas is allowed to pass through;

b) adjusting the share of the component to a desired concentration by increasing or decreasing the share of the component; and

c) casting the molten bath when the actual and desired concentrations are the same.

18. A noble metal produced by a method comprising the steps of a) measuring a share of one component contained in the molten bath in addition to the refined metal by means of a sensor comprising a casing with an interior, an opening for measuring and a connecting area, whereby a sensor with a reference electrode is arranged in the interior and is electrically insulated against the casing, and a means of measuring an electric potential between the casing and the sensor, characterized in that the reference electrode and the opening for measuring are interconnected in such a way that gas is allowed to pass through;

b) adjusting the share of the component to a desired concentration by increasing or decreasing the share of the component; and

c) casting the molten bath when the actual and desired concentrations are the same.

19. Articles of manufacturing consisting of bars, sheet metals, cables, molded pieces oraerospace products comprising the nobel metal of claim 18.