Fast analysis of production control samples without preparation

The project aimed at developing new strategies for fast process control by adapting new types of material samplings to innovative preparation methods that can be introduced in parallel with the laser-OES spectrometry application. The knowledge of the slag viscosity and temperature represents a key factor to succeed with blast furnace slag sampling. The analytical procedure, however, needs improved standard samples for calibration and control. The analysis time can be reduced by more than 10 minutes. Concerning pig iron, the new specimens obtained were suited for direct laser analysis, except for carbon. Industrial trials of various steel grades sampling at tundish demonstrated robustness and chemical representativity of the developed pin-type sampler in different steel plant conditions. A reduction by one minute of the whole process control would be realistic when using a fast cutting method in association with a 50 Hz laser analyser. A new two-step laser method was also set up: in a first step, the laser radiation ablates locally the scale layer; in a second step, the bulk material is analysed using laser emission spectrometry. A very good correlation of the concentrations determined on the scale and ground sides was found. A potential reduction of the control time down to 32 s per analysis was demonstrated. LIPS-based remote analysis has been evaluated at distances between 35 m and 45 m from the target. Stainless steel chemical sorting was achieved. Real-time analysis of steel at high temperature (up to 1 420° C) was successfully achieved. The construction of a field-transportable version of the OP-LIPS instrument was accomplished.