Research on online tracking and monitoring system based on infrared temperature field for probing of moving liquid metal clad refractory materials

Liquid metal ladles serve as crucial equipment for containing high-temperature molten steel. Comprising a metal shell enveloping an inner layer of refractory material, these ladles are susceptible to cracks, thinning, or peeling of the refractory bricks, which can result in the hazardous leakage of high-temperature liquid metal, thereby jeopardizing employee safety. In this research, we propose an innovative continuous non destructive testing and monitoring system that harnesses the power of infrared thermography to assess the external temperature field of ladles. By deploying multiple infrared thermal cameras, we establish an aerial virtual infrared image inspection gate, wherein each passage of a ladle through this gate triggers a meticulous analysis of the temperature field. This analysis aims to identify any irregularities or aberrations and subsequently compares them with historical records to discern prevailing trends. Our system has been successfully implemented and employed for the diligent tracking and monitoring of ladles within steel plants, effectively mitigating the necessity for labor-intensive manual inspections and enabling streamlined unmanned operations.