EP2018540A1

EP2018540A1 - Immersion probe for lips apparatuses

Info

Publication number: EP2018540A1
Application number: EP07718418A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johann Gruber; Max Dallinger
Original assignee: Innsitec Laser Technologies GmbH
Current assignee: Innsitec Laser Technologies GmbH
Priority date: 2006-05-09
Filing date: 2007-04-30
Publication date: 2009-01-28
Also published as: KR20090013819A; RU2008148343A; AT503539A1; US20090262345A1; WO2007128014A1; AT503539B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an immersion probe (1) for an apparatus for carrying out laser-induced plasma spectroscopy in a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, which immersion probe (1) has a tubular section (4) which extends from a foot-side end (2) of the immersion probe (1) about a longitudinal axis (X) of the latter and has an opening for material to flow in. In order to be able to reliably determine, in particular, a chemical composition of a melt independently of an angle of inclination of the immersion probe with respect to a surface of the melt, the invention provides for the tubular section (4) at the foot-side end (2) to be essentially closed or to be able to be closed and to have a lateral opening (5) through which the material can be introduced into the tubular section (4) in a directed manner in the form of a freely flowing jet (12) at an angle (a) to the longitudinal axis (X).

Description

Immersion probe for LIPS devices

The invention relates to a submersible probe for a device for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy in a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, which submerged probe extending from a foot-side end of the submersible probe about a longitudinal axis thereof with a tubular opening for flowing in material.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, in particular for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, comprising a submersible, which from a foot end of the Immersion probe has a longitudinal axis of the same extending tubular portion having an opening for the flow of material, as well as an associated with the immersion probe analysis means with which a property of the material flowing into the immersion probe material can be analyzed.

Finally, the invention relates to a method for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, in particular for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, wherein a tubular portion having an opening immersion probe in the Material is introduced and allowed to flow into this material, wherein properties of the inflowing material are analyzed.

A determination or control of chemical compositions of liquid or solid free-flowing materials is essential today in many chemical processes and is one of the most important measures of quality control. While in the past samples were taken mainly by hand for this purpose and these were analyzed in an external laboratory, it is nowadays common practice to determine chemical compositions directly on site or in-situ in the material in order to obtain measurement results faster and thus, if necessary be able to intervene regulatively in a process.

A particularly powerful and therefore attractive method for the determination of a chemical composition of solid or liquid materials is laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS). In this method, a surface is used of a material to be examined, for example by exposure to a high-energy laser beam ignited a plasma. The electromagnetic radiation emitted by this plasma is characteristic of a composition of the material on its surface. On the basis of a spectral analysis of the emitted electromagnetic radiation, a chemical composition of the material can in principle be determined very accurately and with little expenditure of time.

Due to the power of laser-induced plasma spectroscopy and the ability to determine chemical composition in a short time, it is also interesting to use this type of spectroscopy in melt metallurgical processes. Since a melt is usually covered on its surface with non-melt material, e.g. Slag in molten steel or dross in aluminum melts are used for this purpose LI PS devices with rod-shaped immersion probes, which can be introduced into a melt.

These immersion probes essentially consist of a foot-side open tube in which an overpressure can be generated. For the purpose of overpressure generation, the tube is closed at its head end and equipped with a gas supply. The head-side end has a window through which laser light for igniting and maintaining a plasma can be introduced. The window can also emit radiation emitted by the plasma and transmit it to a light-conducting device, e.g. an optical waveguide and subsequently a spectrometer or detector are supplied. In the immersion probe or in the tube, a focusing device is usually additionally provided in order to focus both a plasma-generating laser beam on a material surface and to collect radiation emitted by the plasma.

According to the prior art, there are two variants to ignite a plasma using a submersible probe within a melt and to analyze its emitted radiation. In a first variant, an inert gas is blown through the tubular portion of the immersion probe with such a high pressure that in the region of the introduced immersion probe, a melt level is pressed against a hydrostatic pressure approximately in the region of an end opening of the submersible probe. On the locally set melt surface, a plasma is ignited and analyzed by this radiation emitted by the emitted radiation after passing through the tubular portion of the submersible probe and its window by means of a light guide Analytical device, in particular a spectrometer, is supplied. In a second variant according to the prior art, the tubular portion of a submersible probe is also pressurized, but a pressure is chosen lower and so that a melt level is within the submersible probe or a tubular portion thereof. After setting a melt level within the immersion probe, a plasma is ignited on the melt located in the immersion probe and in turn analyzed by this emitted radiation.

Immersion probes according to the prior art have a number of disadvantages. Thus, even with the use of an inert gas, due to the long time period required before a measurement for setting a height-stable melt level, it is not always possible to ensure that a melt surface is free of oxide, which can lead to incorrect measurement results.

Another serious disadvantage of known immersion probes is that it is extremely difficult to ensure a constant height of the melt level or of a melt surface on which a plasma is ignited during a measurement period. If, however, a height of the melting level changes, the plasma is no longer in the focus of a lens through which the radiation emitted by the plasma is collected and ultimately supplied to an analysis device. This represents a possible source of error in a determination of a chemical composition. Since laser light is generally also focused onto the surface of the melt via the same lens, the plasma can no longer be maintained if the height changes of the melt level are sufficiently large.

A further disadvantage is that, when analyzed on a surface of a melt, which is in surface contact with the remainder of the melt bath, oscillations of the melt surface can not be ruled out, which likewise can lead to falsified measurement results.

Another disadvantage of known immersion probes arises from the fact that when they are used an overpressure in the immersion probe has to be generated in order to set a melting level for a measurement. However, as has been demonstrated scientifically (Tjong Jie Lie et al., Spectrochimica Acta B 61 (2006), pages 104-112; Tariq Mahmood Naeem et al., Spectrochimica Acta B 58 (2003), pages 891-899 ), lead to low signal yields. Another significant disadvantage of known immersion probes is, in particular when melt is analyzed within a submersible probe, that the immersion probe is exactly perpendicular to introduce into the material to be examined. Namely, when the immersion probe is inclinedly introduced into a melt, the surface of the melt is inclined relative to a guided along the longitudinal axis of the immersion laser laser beam with which the plasma is ignited, resulting in different measurement results than in a vertical position of the melt surface relative to the laser beam , In this case, therefore, measurement results are highly dependent on the inclination angle of the immersion probe relative to a melt surface, which dependency is scarcely calibratable or correctable.

The disadvantages set forth above can also be generally found in devices for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material when equipped with immersion probes according to the prior art. Analogously, the possibilities of analysis and validity or reliability of corresponding methods are limited.

Based on this prior art, the invention has the object to provide a submersible probe of the type mentioned, in which disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned, in which the disadvantages of immersion probes inherent in the prior art are at least partially eliminated.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of the type mentioned that it allows at a constant sample distance at any point of the material and regardless of a tilt angle of a submersible to a surface of the material to be examined reliably a physical and / or chemical property of the same.

The first object to provide a submersible probe of the type mentioned, in which disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated, is achieved by a submersible probe according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of a submersible probe according to the invention are the subject matter of claims 2 to 20. The advantages achieved by the invention are to be seen in particular in that, when used or introduced into a liquid or solid free-flowing material, the material flows in at a constant angle to the longitudinal axis of the immersion probe. Since an inflow direction is fixed relative to the longitudinal axis exclusively by the provided lateral opening and due to a high inflow velocity of the free jet of several meters per second is substantially independent of gravity, it is irrelevant whether the submersible probe perpendicular or inclined to a bath surface or a Surface of a solid free-flowing material is introduced. The immersion probe therefore does not need to be rigidly positioned contrary to the known solutions according to the prior art, but can be arbitrarily and in particular also manually immersed in a melt and tilted.

Another advantage of a submersible probe according to the invention is that during a measurement, a constant material flow through the provided lateral opening is given. As a result, in particular in the case of metallic melts, pure, oxide-free or slag-free melt from a melt bath is always tracked for measurement. Corresponding problems associated with slag or dross are therefore avoided.

Another advantage of a submersible probe according to the invention lies in the fact that the opening is positioned at a fixed height of the submersible probe, which is why a jet-like introduction of material at a constant height is ensured during a measurement. Thus, a height of the material surface to be analyzed is constant and problems arising due to a height-varying melt level, e.g. varying distance of a plasma to the focusing device, excluded.

Yet another advantage of a submersible probe according to the invention is the fact that it allows a measurement under negative pressure. Performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy under reduced pressure has the advantage that higher signal yields are achieved, which in turn has a favorable effect on a signal-to-noise ratio and thus a quality of the measurement or analysis.

Furthermore, a submersible probe according to the invention is particularly suitable for carrying out pyrometric measurements or for determining a temperature of the melt, since the incoming beam is free of an oxide layer which also disturbs this. An angle at which material can be introduced into the tubular section as a free-flowing jet directed to the longitudinal axis can be selected within a wide range and, for example, be 45 ° to 135 °. In order to have particularly simple geometric conditions in a measurement, it is advantageous if the opening is designed so that the angle is approximately a right angle.

It is also advantageous if the opening has a rectangular cross section whose shorter sides are parallel to the longitudinal axis. As a result, a surface inflow of material can be achieved in use, which increases a potential measuring surface and facilitates ignition of a plasma.

In the case of a submersible probe according to the invention, the tubular section can basically be designed with an arbitrary cross-section. For reasons of ease of manufacture of the immersion probe, however, it is preferred if the tubular portion is formed with a circular cross-section. If this is the case, then it is further expedient if the tubular portion is flat on the inside in the region of the lateral opening. By this constructive measure, a parallel inflow of the material is achieved and prevents a tapered to the immersion probe center forming a beam. In other words, in all areas of the surface to be analyzed a constant flow of material is given and is

Inhomogeneities avoided, which leads to particularly accurate analysis results.

For several reasons, it is further particularly advantageous if means for generating negative pressure or vacuum are provided in the tubular portion. On the one hand, it is preferred to carry out laser-induced plasma spectroscopy under reduced pressure in relation to high signal yields. On the other hand, it may be necessary, especially if a hydrostatic pressure of a melt is insufficient to force material through the opening or if a surface tension of the material to be examined is too large to cause an automatic influx of the material, an influx of material to force the immersion probe by applying a negative pressure. This may also be necessary in particular when measuring just below a surface of a melt bath and a hydrostatic pressure exerted by the melt is not sufficient to press melt through the lateral opening or the lateral gap. In addition, occurs at low pressure, especially in aluminum melts hydrogen, which then in the immersion probe is located so that by analysis of the gas composition in the submersible probe to a hydrogen content in the molten aluminum can be concluded.

In a particularly preferred variant of a submersible probe according to the invention, at least one further second opening is provided in the region of the foot-side end and the lateral opening lies between the second opening and a head-side end of the immersion probe. As a result, material enters the immersion probe also in the region of the foot-side end during a measurement, but this has no effect since, in any case, the free beam lying closer to the head is measured. After performing a measurement, however, there is a significant advantage in that the entire material contained in the immersion probe can be omitted by the second opening provided in the region of the foot-side end.

In order to avoid interference caused by a foot-side inflow of material during a measurement as possible, it is advantageous if the at least one further second opening is attached laterally.

In order to allow the fastest possible emptying of the immersion probe after a measurement, it can be provided that a free cross section of the second opening is greater than a free cross section of the lateral opening.

Since, when a second opening is provided at the foot-side end, the submersible probe is continuously filled with melt during a measurement from the foot-side end, it is advantageous if the lateral opening is at half height of the tubular portion or higher. Thus it can be achieved that a measurement on the free jet-shaped material can be carried out and completed unhindered before a melt level in the immersion probe has reached the lateral opening.

With regard to the fastest possible emptying of the immersion probe after a measurement process, it proves to be further useful if means for pressurizing the tubular portion are provided. This makes it possible to quickly squeeze out the material in the immersion probe via a provided second opening at the foot end and to empty the immersion probe before a further measurement.

In order to further shorten a time for emptying the immersion probe after a measuring operation, a component for closing the lateral opening may be used be provided. In this regard, it is also advantageous if a component for closing the at least one further second opening is provided, since in this case a foot-side inflow of material during a measurement can be prevented, so that subsequently in the immersion probe only material, which by the lateral opening enters as a jet, is accumulated. Accordingly, less material is present after a measurement process in the immersion probe and therefore less material must be emptied.

A particularly advantageous variant is characterized in that a component is provided in the tubular portion through which alternatively one of the openings can be closed. For example, during a measurement through the lateral opening material flow, whereas an influx of material at the foot end is prevented. Conversely, after a measurement in the immersion probe accumulated material can be blown through a foot-side opening and at the same time further inflow of material is prevented by the lateral opening. It is particularly advantageous in this context if the component can be activated by generating a negative pressure or overpressure in the tubular section, wherein the second opening can be closed by generating a negative pressure. In this variant, the advantages of a measurement under negative pressure as well as a blowout at overpressure explained above are combined with the advantages of closing individual openings during or after a measurement.

In particular, with respect to metallic melts, which can be quite aggressive, it proves to be useful to ensure stable or uniform measurement conditions when the tubular portion of the submersible probe consists of a ceramic, in particular of silicon nitride.

Alternatively, it can also be provided that the tubular portion consists of a steel, which is preferably coated or provided with a size to increase its durability under conditions of use.

It may also be favorable that the tubular section consists of a steel and in the tubular section, a ceramic insert defining the lateral opening is releasably secured. This variant is characterized by the fact that it is both cost-effective and designed for a long service life. For this purpose, the tubular portion is made in less critical parts of a steel, whereas in the more critical region of the lateral opening is provided a ceramic insert with greater durability. A detachable attachment of the insert also has the advantage that it can be easily replaced when worn without the entire immersion probe would need to be replaced.

In order to avoid clogging of individual openings as far as possible, it can further be provided in the case of a submersible probe according to the invention that a respective filter is arranged upstream of the opening or the openings on the outside.

Further, it may be advisable that the tubular portion is removable, especially if the tubular portion is to be used as a disposable element and a new section is to be used for each measurement.

The advantages achieved with a submersible probe according to the invention are particularly useful when used in a generic device for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, in particular for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy becomes. Accordingly, the further object is achieved by a generic device comprising a submersible probe according to the invention.

In a device according to the invention, it is advantageous if the immersion probe is releasably secured. This allows, for example, to selectively couple several immersion probes according to the invention with a single LI PS device, e.g. For investigation at different points of a process chain, which is highly practical and leads to a cost reduction.

The procedural aim of the invention finally is achieved in that in a generic method, the material is introduced as a beam and directed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion and carried out an analysis of the material thus introduced.

The advantages achieved by a method according to the invention are to be seen in the fact that the material flows independently of an angle of inclination of the immersion probe against a surface of a melt or a flowable material with a constant angle to the longitudinal axis of the tubular portion, which is why Even with variable tilt angle always a constant measurement geometry can be guaranteed. In addition to an absence of oxide of the incoming melt, a further advantage with respect to laser-induced plasma spectroscopy is that a distance between the focusing device and the generated plasma is also constant, which is why particularly accurate measurement or analysis results can be obtained. This can be done in a particularly simple manner by a plasma ignited within the immersion probe on a surface of the beam and radiation emitted by the plasma are analyzed.

Although an angle in a wide range, e.g. from 45 ° to 135 °, it is recommended to choose the angle with about 90 °. In this case, a particularly simple measuring geometry is given, since the jet always flows perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the immersion probe in this.

In order to facilitate an inflow of the material, in particular with a high surface tension of a melt, it may be favorable that a negative pressure is applied in the tubular portion during the inflow of the material. At the same time, a desired atmosphere, in particular an inert gas atmosphere, can be set, which is advantageous for LIPS.

It is also advantageous if the tubular section is emptied after flowing in of material and analyzing the radiation emitted by the plasma by applying a negative pressure, so that in a further measurement, the entire volume of the tubular portion can serve to collect material entered.

In order to achieve particularly rapid emptying of the immersion probe and in particular emptying in the immersed state, it can further be provided that the emptying takes place by applying an overpressure in the tubular section.

Further advantages and effects of the invention will become apparent from the context of the description and the following embodiments.

In the following, some embodiments of a submersible probe according to the invention, which are only to be understood as examples, are described in even greater detail.

Show it FIG. 1: a submersible probe according to the invention;

FIG. 1a: a lateral slot of a submersible probe according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 1b: A foot-side end of a submersible probe according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section through a submersible probe according to the invention according to FIG. 1 along the section line H-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a tubular section of a submersible probe according to the invention with two lateral openings;

Figure 4: A cross section through a submersible probe according to Figure 3 along the section line

IV-IV in Figure 3; FIG. 5 shows a tubular section of a submersible probe according to the invention with two lateral openings;

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a tubular section according to FIG. 5 along the section line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7: a side view of a submersible probe according to the invention; FIG. 8 shows a cross section through an immersion probe according to the invention according to FIG. 7 along the section line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9: a side view of a submersible probe according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a cross section through a submersible probe according to the invention according to FIG. 9 along the section line IX - IX in FIG. 9.

Figure 1 shows a submersible probe 1 according to the invention in a closer view. The immersion probe 1 has a tapered end 2, which simultaneously forms the end of a tubular portion 4. The tubular portion 4, which may for example consist of a ceramic or a steel, is hollow in the interior and has a lateral opening 5 or a slot through which material such as a melt can enter jet-shaped. The tubular section 4 is adjoined by a further tubular section 9, wherein the two tubular sections 4, 9 are connected to one another in a gastight manner by means of a clamping set 10. Both tubular portions extend concentrically to a longitudinal axis X of the rod-shaped submersible probe 1. At a head end 3, the submersible probe 1 is closed by a permeable window for electromagnetic radiation 8 and subsequently has a free cross-section 7, on which, for example, a light guide LI PS device can connect. In order to be able to generate an overpressure or underpressure in the immersion probe, the immersion probe additionally has gas inlets or gas outlets 11. In Figure 1a, an opening 5 of a submersible probe 1 according to Figure 1 is shown in more detail. The opening 5 or the slot is formed with a rectangular cross-section. This is advantageous in that such a cross section causes a surface inflow of material substantially normal to the longitudinal axis X.

Furthermore, an end-side end 2 of a submersible probe according to FIG. 1 is shown enlarged in FIG. 1 b. The conically tapered end 2 is substantially closed and has only at its lowest point a small-sized opening 6, through which material entering during a measurement can be blown out or emptied after a measurement. The cross-section of the opening 6 is dimensioned such that, during a usual measuring time, melting of e.g. One minute only small amounts of melt can occur or be pressed in due to a hydrostatic pressure and the opening 5 remains free during the measurement.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section along the section line INI of FIG. 1 and, in addition, partially a melt bath 13, into which a submersible probe 1 dips. As can be seen from FIG. 2, when a submersible probe 1 is introduced into a melt 13 due to a given hydrostatic pressure, material or melt enters the immersion probe 1 as a freely flowing jet 12 if a lateral opening thereof lies below a melt surface 14. At the same time occurs through the shown in Figure 1b further second opening 6 at a foot-side end 2 of the immersion probe 1 melt, which is irrelevant for a measurement, however, as this is done on the free material beam 12. Namely, as shown in FIG. 2, a plasma is ignited on the free material jet 12 by means of a laser beam 15 which is focused by means of an optical focusing device 16 (alternatively, a plasma can also be ignited by spark discharge). Since the melt flows continuously, the material jet 12 is essentially free of oxidic impurities and a chemical composition determined on the material jet 12 is characteristic for a chemical composition of the melt bath at the height H1. Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 2 that a lateral opening 5 is located in the upper half of the tubular section 4. As a result, a sufficiently large internal volume for accumulation of melt is available for a melt entering from below through the opening 6 during a measurement, without the incoming melt reaching the area of a lateral opening 5 and hindering the material jet 12 in its free propagation. FIG. 3 shows in detail a tubular section 4 of a submersible probe according to the invention. The tubular portion 4 in this case has two lateral openings 5, 17, wherein the opening located at a greater height 5 is formed in a slot shape and provides for a two-dimensional inflow of a material.

In the interior of the tubular portion shown in Figure 3, a component 18 is mounted, which releases the lateral opening 5 upon application of a negative pressure, thus under measuring conditions, whereas the lateral opening 17 is closed. In this variant of a submersible probe 1 according to the invention, penetration of melt in the region of a foot-side end 2 during a measurement is limited, so that a free-flowing material jet 12 can be ensured over a long period of time. This makes it possible to carry out measurements over a longer period of time in comparison with a submersible probe according to FIG. 1 and thus to achieve even greater reliability or accuracy with regard to the analysis results.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the same situation as in FIGS. 3 and 4, with the exception that an overpressure is present in the tubular section instead of a negative pressure. In this case, a lateral opening 5 is closed by the component 18, a side opening 17, however, released or open. This results in any melt that is above the opening 17 being squeezed out of the tubular section 4 or being removed through the opening 17.

A further variant of a submersible probe 1 according to the invention with a valve function for closing a lateral opening and a further second lateral or foot-side opening is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a submersible probe 1 shown in end view in FIG. 7 has, in addition to optical components mounted in the cavity 19 of the submersible probe 1, in particular a focusing device 20, a jacket 21 with a bore 22. This bore 22 is connected to a lateral opening 5. If, as shown in Figure 8, in the cavity 19 of the immersion probe 1 is applied a negative pressure, a foot-side opening of the tubular portion 4 is closed by a plate 23. Thus, only through the lateral opening 5 melt enter the immersion probe 1 and analyzed. If, however, an overpressure is applied to the same immersion probe 1 shown in FIG. 9, the plate 23 is pressed downwards and any material in the immersion probe which has accumulated in it due to a measurement can pass through the lateral openings 17 from the latter be pressed. At the same time, since an overpressure also acts on the opening 5, it is ensured that no further melt rises along the bore 22 and enters the immersion probe via the opening 5.

It is understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of a submersible probe 1 according to the invention explained with reference to Figures 1 to 10 and the description thereof are to be understood as exemplary only and in no way limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

claims

1 immersion probe (1) for a device for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy in a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, which immersion probe (1) extending from a foot-side end (2) of the

Immersion probe (1) about a longitudinal axis (X) of the same extending tubular portion

(4) having an opening for the flow of material, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) at the foot end (2) is substantially closed or closed and has a lateral opening (5) through which the material as free flowing jet (12) directed at an angle (α) to the longitudinal axis (X) directed into the tubular portion can be introduced.

2. immersion probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) is an angle of 45 ° to 135 °, in particular approximately a right angle.

3. immersion probe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the opening

(5) has a rectangular cross section whose shorter sides are parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).

4. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) is formed with a circular cross-section.

5. immersion probe (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) in the region of the lateral opening (5) is formed on the inside flat.

6. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that means for generating negative pressure or vacuum in the tubular portion (4) are provided.

7. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the region of the foot-side end (2) at least one further second opening (6) is provided, and that the lateral opening (5) between the second opening ( 6) and a head end (3) of the immersion probe (1) is located:

8. immersion probe (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one further second opening (6) is mounted laterally.

9. immersion probe (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a free cross section of the second opening (6) is greater than a free cross section of the lateral opening (5).

10. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the lateral opening (5) is located at half the height (H) of the tubular portion (4) or higher.

11. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that means for pressurizing the tubular portion (4) are provided.

12. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that a component for closing the lateral opening (5) is provided.

13. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that a component for closing the at least one further second opening (6) is provided.

14. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that in the tubular portion (4) is provided a component, by which alternatively one of the openings (5, 6) is closable.

15. immersion probe (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that the component by generating a negative pressure or positive pressure in the tubular portion (4) can be activated, wherein by generating a negative pressure, the second opening (6) is closable.

16. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) of the immersion probe (1) consists of a ceramic, in particular of silicon nitride.

17 immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) consists of a steel which is preferably coated or provided with a size.

18. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) consists of a steel and in the tubular portion (4) a lateral opening (5) defining ceramic insert is releasably secured.

19 immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the opening (5) or the openings (5, 6) on the outside in each case a filter is arranged upstream.

20. immersion probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) is removable.

21. Device for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material, such as a metallic melt, in particular for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, comprising a submersible probe (1), which extends from a base end ( 2) the immersion probe (1) has a longitudinal axis (X) of the same extending tubular portion (4) having an opening for the flow of material, and with the immersion probe (1) associated analysis means with which a property of the submersible probe (1) is analyzable inflow material, characterized in that the device comprises a submersible probe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, characterized in that the immersion probe (1) is releasably attached.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22, characterized in that at a foot-side end (3) of the immersion probe (1), a window (7) is mounted, through which electromagnetic radiation can pass.

24. A method for determining a physical and / or chemical property of a liquid or solid free-flowing material such as a metallic melt, in particular for performing laser-induced plasma spectroscopy, wherein a tubular portion (4) having an opening immersion probe (1 ) is introduced into the material and allowed to flow into said material, wherein properties of the inflowing material are analyzed, characterized in that the material is introduced as a jet and at an angle (α) directed to the longitudinal axis (X) of the tubular portion (4) and an analysis of the material thus introduced takes place.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that ignited within the immersion probe (1) on a surface of the beam, a plasma and analyzed by the plasma radiation is analyzed.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the angle (α) is 45 ° to 135 °, in particular about 90 °.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that in the tubular portion (4) during the inflow of the material, a negative pressure is applied.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the tubular portion (4) is emptied after flowing in of material and analysis of the radiation emitted by the plasma.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the emptying takes place by applying an overpressure in the tubular portion (4).