Indiana Harbor Works uses a radar gage supplied by Rosemont to measure bath height. The gage, which is above the bath, measures the distance between it and the liquid steel to calculate the bath height in the BOF vessel. This assures operators the oxygen lance is at the correct height and oxygen setting during the blow. The bath height changes as the refractory condition changes. Slag splashing used to lengthen refractory life also affects the configuration of the vessel interior and causes height variability.
Operators use the gage at the end of the blow when the scrap is melted.
Justifying time savings European steelmakers are pushing the limits in saving time. One plant turns off the oxygen, gets a sample from the tapping side, and taps immediately before learning the results. The results are necessary only to tell operators that they have a problem. This could happen in U.S. mills in the next couple of years. That would be significant.