TASMANIAN Electro Metallurgical Company (TEMCO) says a Siemens LDS6 laser gas analyser is being used to improve safety and prevent damage at its manganese ferroalloy plant.
According to TEMCO, the factory depends on the Siemens LDS6 laser gas analyser to warn workers of imminent explosions in the submerged arc furnaces, so they can be prevented.
Submerged arc furnaces are some of the most dangerous furnaces in the world. They are vulnerable to sudden explosions, which are a by-product of a temperature control mechanism used in the furnaces.
TEMCO says water is pumped through a series of tubes inside the furnace in order to maintain the internal temperature. Over time, the water erodes the steel tubes and leaks into the furnace. The extremely high furnace temperatures and water leakage can cause the build up of steam, which eventually leads to an explosion.
According to Siemens, the implementation of the LDS6 laser gas analyser is the first time the unit has been used in this kind of furnace. The extremely high levels of dust at the facility were a major challenge, because they can erode the accuracy of the laser analyser.
Siemens says it modified the LDS6 laser gas analyser to address the challenge. It built an air chamber to blow the dust off the laser every few minutes. This allowed the unit to obtain consistent and reliable readings.
Siemens says the LDS6 gas analyser can detect water leaks hours before traditional methods, allowing the plant workers to take appropriate action.
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