JP2019504286A - Determination of electrode length in melting furnace - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is provided for indicating the length of an electrode for an apparatus for melting batch material. The method comprises providing a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a first temperature sensor. A second signal indicative of the temperature is provided at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a second temperature sensor. Based on the first and second signals, an electrode length is specified for the hot surface of the electrode.

Description

Cross-reference of related applications

  This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 of US Provisional Application No. 62/251223, filed Nov. 5, 2015, relied on the contents of that application, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety Is incorporated herein by reference.

  The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for melting batch material, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for melting batch material and the use of temperature information in electrodes to determine electrode length in such apparatus.

  The melting furnace can be used to melt various batch materials, glass batch materials and metal batch materials, to name a few. The batch material can be melted by placing the batch material in a container having two or more electrodes and applying a voltage between the electrodes to pass current through the batch to heat and melt the batch. The life of the melting furnace may be determined by electrode wear. For example, during the melting process, the electrode may gradually wear out due to contact with the molten batch material. At some point, the electrodes can become too short and can compromise the safe operation of the melting furnace. For example, if the electrode wears out past a predetermined point during operation, the batch material can come into contact with melting furnace parts that can contaminate the batch. For example, in the case of molten glass, such contact can introduce undesirable contaminants and / or colors into the molten glass or final glass product. In addition, the holes opened in the electrode and / or the melting furnace may be a leakage path for the batch material, which may jeopardize the operational safety of the melting furnace.

  By accurately predicting the melting point of the melting furnace, it is possible to significantly reduce costs by avoiding premature shutdown of the melting furnace, while maintaining operational safety. However, during the melting operation, the electrode length in the container may not be directly observed or measured. Also, during operation, several variables, such as batch material composition and / or operating temperature, can affect the electrode wear rate, complicating the prediction of electrode wear or providing accurate predictions. May be difficult.

  Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a method for accurately estimating the length of electrodes in a melting furnace that can lead to extended operating periods and reduced operating costs for the melting furnace. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to provide an apparatus for melting batch material that can use temperature information within the electrode as an indicator of electrode length.

  According to one embodiment, a method is provided for indicating the length of an electrode for an apparatus for melting batch material. The method includes providing a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a first temperature sensor. A second signal indicative of the temperature is provided at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a second temperature sensor. Based on the first and second signals, an electrode length is specified for the hot surface of the electrode.

  In another embodiment, an apparatus for melting batch material has a container and an electrode in the container, the electrode length being measured along an axis between the hot and cold surfaces of the electrode. Electrodes. A thermal length measurement assembly includes a first temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode. A second temperature sensor is arranged and configured to provide a second signal indicative of the temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode. The first and second signals are used to specify the electrode length.

  In another embodiment, a temperature sensor is arranged and configured to provide a signal indicative of a temperature at a temperature measurement point positioned along an electrode, wherein a thermal length measurement assembly for an apparatus that melts batch material including. The measurement module includes a processor that receives the signal indicative of the temperature at the temperature measurement point. The measurement module includes logic executable by the processor to determine an electrode length for the hot surface of the electrode based on the signal indicative of temperature.

  Additional features and advantages described herein are set forth in the following detailed description, and in part are immediately apparent to those skilled in the art from that description, or are described in the detailed description, claims, and It will be appreciated by implementing the embodiments described herein, including the accompanying drawings.

  It should be understood that the foregoing summary and the following detailed description set forth various embodiments and are intended to provide an overview and framework for understanding the nature and characteristics of the claimed subject matter. is there. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of these various embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. These drawings illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the claimed subject matter.

  The above and other features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood when the following detailed description of the present disclosure is read with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a melting furnace, also referred to herein as “melter”. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an electrode assembly and a thermal length measurement assembly used in the melting furnace of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the logic of another electrode assembly and thermal length measurement assembly. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an assembly of a plurality of electrode blocks. FIG. 5 is an exemplary diagram showing the relationship between the thermal conductivity and the temperature used when specifying the electrode length.

  Disclosed herein is an apparatus for melting batch material. The apparatus includes a container and at least one electrode assembly disposed within the container that includes an electrode. The temperature sensor assembly includes a temperature sensor provided on the electrode to provide an indication of the temperature within the electrode at a known location. The position of the hot surface of the electrode can be determined by the measurement module from a signal indicating temperature, knowledge of the thermal conductivity of the electrode material as a function of temperature, and an estimate of the temperature at the hot surface of the electrode.

  As used herein, the term “hot surface” refers to the end surface that is closest to or in contact with the batch material in the melting furnace. The term “cold surface” refers to the end surface farthest from the molten material in the melting furnace, and generally has a lower temperature than the hot surface because it is away from the batch material. Due to the temperature difference between the high temperature surface and the low temperature surface, heat transfer from the high temperature surface to the low temperature surface occurs in the electrode.

  Several embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary furnace 100 for melting batch material 105. The melting furnace 100 can include a vessel 110 that can include an inlet 115 and an outlet 120 in some embodiments. Batch material 105 may be introduced into container 110 through inlet 115. The batch material is then in any suitable manner or combination thereof, for example by contact with the side wall 125 and / or bottom 130 of the vessel that can be heated by a combustion burner (not shown) in the vessel 110. And / or by conventional melting techniques, such as by contact with the electrode 140, and can be heated and melted in the container. Molten batch material 135 can flow out of vessel 110 through outlet 120 for further processing.

  The term “batch material” and variations thereof are used herein to refer to a mixture of precursor components that when reacted melt and / or combine to form the final desired material composition. The batch material can include, for example, a glass precursor material or a metal alloy precursor material, to name a few examples. The batch material may be prepared and / or mixed by any known method of combining the precursor materials. For example, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the batch material can comprise a dry or substantially dry mixture of precursor particles, for example, without the use of a solvent or liquid. In other embodiments, the batch material may be in a slurry form, eg, a mixture of precursor particles in the presence of a liquid or solvent.

  According to various embodiments, the batch material is a glass precursor such as silica, alumina, and various additional oxides such as boron oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium oxide, sodium oxide, strontium oxide, tin oxide, and titanium oxide. Body material may be included. For example, the glass batch material may be a mixture of silica and / or alumina and one or more additional oxides. In various embodiments, the glass batch material comprises a total of about 45% to about 95% by weight alumina and / or silica and a total of about 5% to about 55% by weight boron oxide, magnesium oxide, oxidized It includes at least one oxide of calcium, sodium oxide, strontium oxide, tin oxide, and / or titanium oxide.

  The batch material can be melted according to any suitable method, for example, conventional glass and / or metal melting techniques. For example, the batch material is added to a melting vessel and from about 1200 ° C to about 1650 ° C, from about 1250 ° C to about 1600 ° C, from about 1300 ° C to about 1550 ° C, from about 1350 ° C to about 1500 ° C, or about It can be heated to a temperature from about 1100 ° C. to about 1700 ° C., such as from 1400 ° C. to about 1450 ° C., including all ranges and subranges therebetween. The batch material, in certain embodiments, will remain in the melting vessel for minutes, hours, days, or more, depending on various variables such as operating temperature and batch volume, and the particle size of the batch material components. May have time. For example, the residence time can be from about 30 minutes to about 3 days, from about 1 hour to about 2 days, from about 2 hours to about 1 day, from about 3 hours to about 12 hours, from about 4 hours to about 10 hours, or from about 6 hours. It can last up to about 8 hours and can include all ranges and subranges between them.

  In the case of glass processing, the molten glass batch material is subsequently subjected to various further processing steps including fining to remove bubbles and stirring to homogenize the molten glass, to name a few examples. Can receive. The molten glass can then be processed using any known method, such as fusion draw technology, slot draw technology, and float technology, for example to produce a glass ribbon. Subsequently, in a non-limiting embodiment, the glass ribbon can be formed, cut, polished, and / or otherwise processed into a glass sheet.

  Vessel 110 may be any thermal or refractory material suitable for use in the desired melting process, for example, refractory materials such as zircon, zirconia, alumina, magnesium oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride, platinum And noble metals such as platinum alloys, and combinations thereof. According to various embodiments, the container 110 can include an outer wall or outer layer having a refractory material or a refractory material lining such as a noble metal. The container 110 can have any suitable shape and size depending on the desired application, and in certain embodiments can have, for example, a circular, oval, square, or polygonal cross section. To name a few, the dimensions of the container, including length, height, width, and depth, can vary depending on the desired application. The dimensions can be appropriately selected depending on the specific manufacturing process or manufacturing system.

  Although FIG. 1 shows electrodes 140 mounted in the sidewall 125, these electrodes can be configured in any orientation within the container 110, such as any top or bottom of the container 110. It should be understood that it can be attached to the wall. Further, while FIG. 1 shows three electrodes 140, it should be understood that any number of electrodes may be used as needed or desired for a particular application. Further, FIG. 1 shows a container 110 with an inlet 115 and an outlet 120, which may be suitable for continuous processing, but may or may not include an inlet and / or outlet and batch processing. Alternatively, it should be understood that other containers that can be used for semi-batch processing can be used.

  The electrode 140 can have any size and / or shape suitable for operation in a melting furnace. For example, in some embodiments, the electrode 140 has an end face that is substantially flush with the furnace wall, the opposite end face being located outside the furnace wall, and between the opposite end faces in the electrode 140. It can be rod-shaped or block-shaped that produces a temperature difference. Electrode 140 can have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as square, circular, or any other regular or irregular shape. Further, the initial length of electrode 140 can vary depending on the application and / or size of the melting vessel. In some non-limiting embodiments, the electrode 140 is from about 5 cm, such as from about 20 cm to about 175 cm, from about 30 cm to about 150 cm, from about 40 cm to about 125 cm, from about 50 cm to about 100 cm, or from about 60 cm to about 75 cm. It can have an initial length ranging about 200 cm, including all ranges and subranges between them. Further, the electrode may have a width and / or height greater than the initial length, such as a width and / or height of about 25 cm or more, such as about 40 cm or more, such as about 50 cm or more.

  Electrode 140 can comprise any material suitable for the desired melting application. For example, the electrode material can be selected such that normal wear or erosion of the electrode 140 during operation has little or no adverse effect on the batch composition and / or the final product. In various non-limiting embodiments, such as glass melting operations, the electrodes can include one or more oxides or other materials that can be present in the final glass composition. For example, the electrode includes an oxide that is already present in the batch material (eg, nominally increases the amount of that oxide in the final product), or an oxide that is not present in the batch material (eg, small or trace amounts). The oxide can be incorporated into the final composition). As a non-limiting example, the electrodes can be, for example, tin (IV) oxide, molybdenum oxide, zirconium oxide, tungsten, molybdenum zirconium oxide, platinum and other noble metals, graphite, silicon carbide, and other suitable materials and their Alloys can be included.

  According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the container 110 can include one or more electrode assemblies that include the electrode 140 and a temperature sensor assembly coupled to the electrode. As used herein, the terms “temperature sensor”, “temperature probe” and variations thereof are intended to represent any component that produces a measurable signal or input indicative of temperature. For example, in a non-limiting embodiment, the temperature sensor assembly produces a voltage when the temperature of one of its temperature measurement points is different from the temperature of another temperature measurement point in a process known as the thermoelectric effect. A temperature sensor can be included.

  As used herein, the term “coupled to” and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the temperature sensor assembly is in physical contact with the electrode. The temperature sensor assembly may have temperature measurement points located, for example, in the electrode, for example, inside a hole or channel drilled or otherwise formed in the electrode.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of an electrode assembly 200 used to heat a container in the manner described above is shown, an electrode 212 having a hot surface 214 in contact with the molten batch material M, All sides except for the hot surface 214 include an electrode 212 that is thermally insulated by a thermal insulation 215, eg, furnace wall and / or other thermal insulation material. Thermal length measuring assembly 202 is configured to provide an indication of the electrode length L _E of the electrode 212 from a predetermined position. The thermal length measurement assembly 202 may include a temperature sensor assembly 204. Use any suitable temperature sensor assembly such as a ceramic sheathed thermocouple or other sheathed thermocouple configured to withstand temperatures of at least 1500 ° C, such as at least 2000 ° C or higher, or even at least 3000 ° C or higher, for example. You can do it. In some embodiments, temperature sensor assembly 204 includes temperature sensors 208 and 210 that define temperature measurement points A and B, respectively, located within electrode 212 of electrode assembly 200. Temperature measurement points A and B are separated a known distance along the length L _E of the electrode 212.

Temperature sensors 208 and 210 can be disposed within electrode 212, such as provided through the sides of electrode 212 (and insulation 215) or otherwise provided within electrode 212. Temperature measurement points A and B correspond to locations x ₁ and x ₂ along the x-axis of electrode 212. The x-axis generally extending between the hot surface 214 and cold face 217 is substantially perpendicular to their faces, may be measured electrode length L _E along the x-axis . The hot surface 214 of the electrode 212 corresponds to the location _xg , and the location can be provided by the thermal length measurement assembly 202. Another temperature sensor assembly 216 or the same temperature sensor assembly 204 that includes a temperature sensor 218 that defines a temperature measurement point G to provide an indication of the temperature of the molten batch material M that is representative of the temperature at the hot surface 214. Can be provided.

The temperature sensor assemblies 204, 206 (and 216) include communication lines 220 that are used to send signals to the measurement module 222 that indicate the temperatures at locations x ₁ , x _2, and x _g , respectively. Communication may be provided between the temperature sensor assemblies 204, 206, and 216 in a wired and / or wireless manner. Furthermore, communication is either wired or wireless, for example, via the Internet (wide area network) and / or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) (local area network), Bluetooth (registered trademark), near field communication (NFC), etc. Thus, the measurement module 222 may be provided to one or more devices outside the measurement module 222, such as a smartphone or a computer. Thus, a network may facilitate communication between two or more devices via or without an intermediary device, i.e., directly.

The measurement module 222 can include a memory component 224 and a processor component 226. The memory component 224 stores predetermined data such as a contact location, for example, x ₁ , x ₂ and x _g , and / or a distance therebetween, a predetermined measurement temperature, a predetermined hot surface measurement value, and a maintenance routine. be able to. Memory component 224, logic can be performed the processor component 226 in order to perform a particular electrode length L _E also can include, be described in detail below.

Assuming that the specific temperature of the electrode length depends only on one coordinate x, the heat flux is given by:

When stationary, the state of the one-dimensional system does not change with time. From the law of energy conservation, the heat flux j is a constant and does not depend on the coordinate x. Multiplying equation (1) and dx and integrating for x gives the following equation:

Here, I (T) is an integral function of K (T).

The temperature at two points is known. That is, when T (x ₁ ) = T ₁ and T (x ₂ ) = T ₂ , Expression (2) is as follows.

Position location x _g having a known temperature The T _g, can be seen from the following form of Equation (4).

Equation (5) is valid for an arbitrary dependency K (T). The integral thermal conductivity I (T) is included in the equation (5) only as a difference ratio. Therefore, adding an arbitrary constant to I (T), or multiplying I (T) by an arbitrary constant factor, will not change the prediction of distance with respect to the location of the hot surface 214 (x _g ).

In order to obtain the function I (T) from the thermal conductivity measurement experiment, the equation (2) is rewritten as follows.

Here, A and B are arbitrary constants, and their values are irrelevant to the prediction of the electrode length. Since equation (5) includes only the indefinite integral difference of the thermal conductivity of I (T), the additional constant B is subtracted. Since equation (5) includes only the ratio of the linear combination of I (T), the multiplicative constant A can be reduced. Substituting A = 1 · W / m ² and B = 0, the following result is obtained.

Therefore, the function I (T) can be interpolated from the temperature measurements at multiple locations within the electrode using equation (7) as the inverse of T (x). No knowledge of actual heat flux is necessary. The sides of the electrode should be well insulated to approximate one-dimensional heat transfer.

FIG. 3 shows an approximation of the function I (T) for temperature measured at individual points x _i (i = 1, 2,..., N) using a temperature sensor assembly in a manner similar to that described above. By interpolating the point x as a function of temperature, the approximation of the measurement module 222 to identify the electrode length L _E can be (Fig. 2) uses the function I (T) is given. As shown in FIG. 2, when only two temperature measurement points A and B inside the electrode 212 are used, the locations x ₁ and x along the x axis are used to support the accuracy of specifying the end points by extrapolation beyond the location x _2. Increasing the distance between the _two can be beneficial. However, the distance between the points x ₁ and x ₂ along the x-axis is limited by the unknown is and decreased by going places x _g. In some embodiments, more than two temperature measurement points and corresponding temperature sensor assemblies may be used. A further one-dimensional temperature distribution can be created by the heat insulating material 215 on all sides of the electrode 212. Any suitable insulation 215 may be used depending on the possible interactions between the components of the system. Examples of the heat insulating material include non-conductive materials such as a ceramic material and a glass material, such as glass, alumina, and fused silica.

Measurement module 222 (FIG. 2) may be carried out monitoring of the electrode length L _E which approaches a predetermined minimum electrode length. For example, the measurement module 222, when the electrode length L _E has reached one or more predetermined minimum electrode length, sound an alarm, provide a visual indication and / or may even go stop of the operation . In some embodiments, audio, visual and / or driving alarm conditions may be different or may occur at different stages when a predetermined minimum electrode length is detected. Exemplary minimum electrode lengths may be about 100 mm or less, such as about 75 mm or less, such as about 60 mm or less, such as about 50 mm or less, such as about 50 mm or less, including all ranges and subranges therebetween. Good.

  Referring to FIG. 4, whereas FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a single electrode block, a plurality of electrode blocks 240 forming an assembly 250 may be provided, each electrode block being described herein. As described in the document, it has a temperature sensor assembly and a contact point. Furthermore, in order to detect the electrode lengths of these plurality of electrode blocks, the measurement module 222 of FIG. 2 or a plurality of measurement modules may be used.

The one-dimensional temperature distribution in which heat flows mainly in the electrode in the axial direction has been discussed above. However, if the electrodes are relatively long, for example, at the beginning of electrode use, the heat flow may not be accurately represented in the one-dimensional model. The use of numerical computer modeling, particular electrode length L _E can be carried out using the estimated value of the temperature of the temperature value and a hot surface.

Consider the case where the thermal conductivity can be approximated by the function K (T) = K ₀ exp (−α * T) (K ₀ = 39.4 W / mK, α = 0.0001K ⁻¹ ). In this case, I (T) is proportional to K (T). For illustration purposes, referring to FIG. 5, the first temperature sensor is located 25 mm from the cold surface and the second sensor is located 53 mm from the cold surface. If the first temperature sensor measures T ₁ = 580 ° C., the second temperature sensor measures T ₂ = 921 ° C., and the glass temperature is T _g = 1525 ° C., the length of the electrode is Will be 74mm.

  The thermal length measurement assembly and associated method described above provides a temperature value detected along the length of the electrode, knowledge of the thermal conductivity of the electrode material as a function of temperature, and as an indicator of electrode length. An estimate of the temperature of the hot surface of the electrode can be used. Advantageously, the accuracy of the thermal length measurement method described herein can be improved as the electrode length is reduced. On-line measurement of electrode length can be monitored without discharging the molten material and stopping the melting operation. The thermal length measurement assembly can be incorporated into the electrodes used in currently available melters. The thermal length measurement assembly and associated method described above can detect electrode length without, for example, incorporating into the melt materials that can contaminate the produced glass or change the properties of the melt. . The thermal length measurement assembly and associated methods described above are applicable to various types of electrodes and melts.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Thus, if such modifications and changes are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, this specification is intended to cover such modifications and changes of the various embodiments described herein. doing.

  Hereinafter, preferable embodiments of the present invention will be described in terms of items.

Embodiment 1
A method for indicating the length of an electrode for an apparatus for melting batch material,
Providing a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a first temperature sensor;
Providing a second signal indicative of a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a second temperature sensor;
Determining the length of the electrode relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first and second signals.

Embodiment 2
A measurement module for receiving the first signal indicating the temperature at the first temperature measurement point and the second signal indicating the temperature at the second temperature measurement point, wherein the first and second signals 2. The method of embodiment 1, further comprising a measurement module that determines the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on.

Embodiment 3
The method according to embodiment 2, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length with respect to the high temperature surface of the electrode based on the location information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point.

Embodiment 4
4. The method of embodiment 3, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length of the electrode relative to the hot surface based on temperature information at the hot surface of the electrode.

Embodiment 5
5. The method of embodiment 4, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on thermal conductivity information as a function of temperature of the material forming the electrode.

Embodiment 6
3. The method of embodiment 2, further comprising inputting location information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point into a memory of the measurement module.

Embodiment 7
Inserting the first temperature sensor into the electrode to define the first temperature measurement point;
The method of embodiment 1, further comprising inserting the second temperature sensor into the electrode to define the second temperature measurement point.

Embodiment 8
Providing a third signal indicative of a temperature at a third temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a third temperature sensor;
The method of embodiment 1, further comprising: determining the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first, second and third signals.

Embodiment 9
The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of identifying the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first and second signals uses the thermal conductivity of the material forming the electrode.

Embodiment 10
A container,
An electrode in the container having an electrode length measured along the axis between the hot and cold surfaces of the electrode; and
An apparatus for melting batch material comprising a thermal length measurement assembly, wherein the thermal length measurement assembly comprises:
A first temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode;
A second temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a second signal indicative of a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode, wherein the first and second signals are A device used to determine the electrode length.

Embodiment 11
A measurement module including a processor for receiving said first and second signals indicative of temperatures at said first and second temperature measurement points, said electrodes based on said first and second signals indicative of temperature 11. The apparatus of embodiment 10, further comprising a measurement module that includes logic executable by the processor to determine length.

Embodiment 12
12. The apparatus of embodiment 11, wherein the measurement module comprises a memory component that stores location information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point in a memory.

Embodiment 13
The apparatus of embodiment 10, further comprising a thermal insulator provided around the electrode.

Embodiment 14
The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the electrode has a width that is greater than an initial length of the electrode.

Embodiment 15
The apparatus of embodiment 10, wherein the electrode has a height greater than the initial length of the electrode.

Embodiment 16
The apparatus of embodiment 10, further comprising a third temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a third signal indicative of a temperature at a third temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode, The apparatus wherein the first, second and third signals are used to identify the electrode length.

Embodiment 17
A thermal length measurement assembly for an apparatus for melting batch material,
A temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a signal indicative of the temperature at a temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode;
A measurement module including a processor for receiving the signal indicative of the temperature at the temperature measurement point, the logic being executable by the processor to determine an electrode length relative to a hot surface of the electrode based on the signal indicative of temperature; A thermal length measurement assembly comprising a measurement module including.

Embodiment 18
The temperature sensor is a first temperature sensor, the temperature measurement point is a first temperature measurement point, and the device has a signal indicating a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode. Embodiment 18. The thermal length measurement assembly of embodiment 17, further comprising a second temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide.

Embodiment 19
18. The thermal length measurement assembly according to embodiment 17, wherein the measurement module comprises a memory component that stores positional information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point in a memory.

Embodiment 20.
Embodiment 18 according to embodiment 17, wherein the logic executable by the processor to determine the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the signal indicative of temperature uses the thermal conductivity of the material forming the electrode. Thermal length measurement assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Melting furnace 105 Batch material 110 Container 115 Inlet 120 Outlet 125 Side wall 130 Bottom 135, M Molten batch material 140, 212 Electrode 200 Electrode assembly 202 Thermal length measurement assembly 204, 206, 216 Temperature sensor assembly 208, 210 218 Temperature sensor 214 High temperature surface 215 Heat insulating material 217 Low temperature surface 220 Communication line 222 Measurement module 224 Memory component 226 Processor component 240 Electrode block 250 Assembly _LE Electrode length A, B, G Temperature measurement point

Claims (15)

A method for indicating the length of an electrode for an apparatus for melting batch material,
Providing a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a first temperature sensor;
Providing a second signal indicative of a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a second temperature sensor;
Determining the length of the electrode relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first and second signals.   A measurement module for receiving the first signal indicating the temperature at the first temperature measurement point and the second signal indicating the temperature at the second temperature measurement point, wherein the first and second signals The method of claim 1, further comprising: a measurement module that determines the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on:   The method according to claim 2, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length with respect to the high temperature surface of the electrode based on location information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point.   The method of claim 3, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length of the electrode relative to the hot surface based on temperature information at the hot surface of the electrode.   The method of claim 4, wherein the measurement module measures the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on thermal conductivity information as a function of temperature of the material forming the electrode.   The method of claim 2, further comprising inputting location information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point into a memory of the measurement module. Providing a third signal indicative of a temperature at a third temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode using a third temperature sensor;
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first, second and third signals.   8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the first and second signals uses a thermal conductivity of a material forming the electrode. The method according to one item. A container,
An electrode in the container, the electrode having an electrode length measured along an axis between a hot surface and a cold surface of the electrode;
An apparatus for melting batch material comprising a thermal length measurement assembly, wherein the thermal length measurement assembly comprises:
A first temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a first signal indicative of a temperature at a first temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode;
A second temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a second signal indicative of a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode, wherein the first and second signals are A device used to determine the electrode length.   A measurement module including a processor for receiving said first and second signals indicative of temperatures at said first and second temperature measurement points, said electrodes based on said first and second signals indicative of temperature The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a measurement module including logic executable by the processor to determine a length.   The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the measurement module comprises a memory component that stores position information of the first temperature measurement point and the second temperature measurement point in a memory.   The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a third temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a third signal indicative of a temperature at a third temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode. An apparatus wherein first, second and third signals are used to identify the electrode length. A thermal length measurement assembly for an apparatus for melting batch material,
A temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide a signal indicative of the temperature at a temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode;
A measurement module including a processor for receiving the signal indicative of the temperature at the temperature measurement point, the logic being executable by the processor to determine an electrode length relative to a hot surface of the electrode based on the signal indicative of temperature; A thermal length measurement assembly comprising a measurement module including.   The temperature sensor is a first temperature sensor, the temperature measurement point is a first temperature measurement point, and the device has a signal indicating a temperature at a second temperature measurement point positioned along the electrode. The thermal length measurement assembly of claim 13, further comprising a second temperature sensor arranged and configured to provide.   15. The logic executable by the processor to determine the electrode length relative to the hot surface of the electrode based on the signal indicative of temperature uses the thermal conductivity of the material forming the electrode. The thermal length measurement assembly as described.

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