In secondary steelmaking, the ladle furnace is where steel quality and production costs are decided. Final adjustments to slag and temperature determine whether a heat meets its target grade or creates delays, waste, and rework.
The Challenge with Slag and Temperature
Slag chemistry and temperature both change continuously during the heat. They affect desulfurization, refractory wear, alloying efficiency, and casting stability. Traditional probes and sampling provide only delayed snapshots, limiting the ability to react in time.
This often leads to conservative practices such as:
- Overuse of alloys and additives
- Excess superheat before casting
- Increased refractory wear
- Higher safety exposure for operators
Real-Time, Contactless Measurement with OES
Optical Emission Spectroscopy (OES) enables continuous, contactless measurement of slag composition and temperature by analyzing light emitted from the electric arc and molten material. This gives operators real-time visibility into process conditions and allows adjustments while the heat is still running.
Measurable Benefits
Real-time control helps reduce material waste, extend refractory life, and improve temperature control before casting. At the same time, reducing physical sampling improves occupational safety by lowering heat and splash exposure.
Our whitepaper, Safety Improvement and Cost Savings in a Ladle Furnace, explains how OES works in practice and where the largest cost-saving potential comes from.
