Several technologies have been coupled in the development of an innovative probe for use in the tundish. The probe can be configured to monitor, on a continuous basis, the temperature of the molten steel. In addition, the probe can also be used to measure the thickness of the slag layer in the tundish. The probe is an annular heat pipe which is capable of withstanding very high heat fluxes. An inert gas, such as argon, is bubbled through the probe when its leading end is immersed in the melt. A radiation pyrometer is mounted at the top opening of the probe (i.e. viewing tube). The pyrometer is configured such that it can view the melt through the annular cavity, and thus can infer the temperature from the radiative heat flux. Given that the emissivity of the slag phase is substantially more than that of the steel phase, it is also possible to detect the slag/steel interface by monitoring the temperature (at a fixed emissivity setting) when the probe is raised through the steel and into the slag. The location of the interface is characterized by a sudden jump in the ‘apparent’ temperature. A commercial prototype of the probe is being designed and manufactured. Lab trials have been sponsored by an industrial partner. An update of the progress will be presented.
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