Digitized Refractory Lining Monitoring in Steelmaking
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 800 000 |
| Project duration | September 2021 - November 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Strategic innovation programme for process industrial IT and automation – PiiA |
| Call | PiiA: Data analysis in industrial value chains, spring 2021 |
Important results from the project
The developed fiber optic sensor mat can monitor the temperature and status of the refractory lining in vessels with molten steel. The majority of the 7 objectives were met. The developed fiber optic sensor mat enables temperature measurement in a variety of other applications in the process industry where surfaces need to be controlled in terms of temperatures up to 600°C.
Expected long term effects
The technology can help steel industries monitor and improve their processes, which contributes to both reduced costs and increased personal protection. The technology is also suitable for other process industries where two-dimensional temperature measurement at elevated temperatures is interesting. In addition, the technology contributes to the digitalization of the steel industry. The technology will generate new future collaborations between RISE and other process industries.
Approach and implementation
Regular project meetings were held with all parties participating. The cooperation between the parties worked well. The project had the right activities as all objective except one were met. Initially, the sensor mat and software were developed to be verified in field trials in the steel mills of the end users. The project was delayed mainly due to technical difficulties in obtaining sufficient cooling of the instruments in one of the field trials.