Patent ID: 8801276

Claim:
A system for loading molten material into a container having an interior, said system comprising: a loading pipe coupled to a source of molten material, said loading pipe having an outlet for discharging molten material into the interior of the container through an overhead container opening; an elongated probe movable from a first position outside of the container into a second position in which at least a first portion of said probe is positioned vertically within the interior of the container; wherein said first portion contains a plurality of vertically spaced temperature sensing devices for producing electrical signals which vary as a function of sensed temperature such that, as molten material is discharged into the interior of the container through said loading pipe, said temperature sensing devices at vertically increased heights come into thermal contact with the molten material; a processor system located outside of the container and electrically coupled to said sensing devices for receiving said electrical signals; wherein said processor system is programmed to calculating a value representing the current volume or level of molten material within the container based on physical properties of the container in combination with said electrical signals; and an external device coupled to the processor to provide an indication to a user of the current volume or level of molten material within the container; and further comprising an electrically controlled shutoff valve for controlling the flow of molten material through said loading pipe; wherein said processor system further includes programming means for monitoring said electrical signals and determining whether at least one shutdown condition has occurred; and wherein said processor system includes programming means for closing said shutoff valve in response to determining that a shutdown condition exists; wherein the processor system is programmed for loading molten sulfur into an insulated container such that a vapor zone forms over the molten sulfur.