DESCRIPTION
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF CAST
SLAB
Technical Field
[ O O O l I The present invention relates to a method and
apparatus for measuring a surface temperature of a cast slab at
a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster. Specifically,
the present invention relates to a method and apparatus capable
of measuring surface temperatures of a plurality of points of
a cast slab, at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster
including a vertical bending type, with a good accuracy and at
low cost.
Background Art
[ O O O Z ] In a continuous casting process of steel, a cast slab
is manufactured by: cooling a molten steel in a casting mold to
produce a solidifying shell; then pulling out the produced
solidifying shell to cool at a secondary cooling zone; and
solidifying the shell until solidified in center. At this time,
in order to control a surface temperature of the cast slab to
have an appropriate value so as to inhibit generation of surface
cracking and segregation of cast slab, heretofore, a measurement
of the surface temperature of the cast slab at the secondary
cooling zone of a continuous caster has been carried out.
[ 0 0 0 3 1 As points at which the surface temperature of the cast
slab is to be measured at the secondary cooling zone of the
continuous caster, there are many points in a longitudinal
direction (a casting direction) and a width direction of the cast
slab having distances from each other. Also, in order to measure
the surface temperature of the cast slab continuously, it is
desirable to employa contactless thermometer suchas a radiation
thermometer, however, cooling water sprayed at the secondary
cooling zone becomes to be a disturbance factor. Therefore,
problems as below exist.
[ 0 0 0 4 1

A thermal radiation light from a surface of the cast slab
to be detected is absorbed by water existing in a light path in
between the cast slab and the radiation thermometer. Because
of this absorption, anerror intemperaturemeasurement canoccur,
and sometimes the temperature cannot be measured.
[ 0 0 0 5 ]

The thermal radiation light from the surface of the cast
slab to be detected is scattered and decayed by water drops
existing in the light path of the radiation thermometer (dropped
water from support rolls that support the cast slab and cooling
water have contact with the cast slab to evaporate, after that
the water vapor is condensed to be water drops in the form of
a mist). Because of this scattering, an error in temperature
measurement can occur, and sometimes the temperature cannot be
measured. Also, in a continuous caster of a vertical bending
type, a first half of the continuous casting process has a
vertical pass line, that is, a measurement face of the cast slab
is in a vertical position, and a last half of the continuous
castingprocesshas ahorizontalpassline, that is, ameasurement
face of the cast slab is in a horizontal position. Therefore,
influence from the cooling water to temperature measurement
differs depending on places of the temperature measurement.
[00061

Conventionally, in order to inhibit influence from water
and water drops existing in the light path of the radiation
thermometer, a method of jetting purge air from nozzles toward
a target of temperature measurement has been suggested. On the
other hand, in a continuous caster, a large amount of water flows
in a time period from before the casting is started till the very
first stage after the casting is started and the like.
Specifically, nowadays, in the vertical pass line in the first
half ofthe continuous casting, alarge amount of sprayed cooling
water falls down. Because of this, there is a possibility of
ingress of water into the nozzles that jet the purge air. A more
specific description will be made as below. As a control of
coolingwater, inevery sectionthat is generallycalleda segment,
spraying of cooling water is switched on and off and the amount
of the cooling water is adjusted, based on a setting to each
segment. Therefore, in a very first stage after the casting is
started, whenapart of a cast slab reachestoa segment, acertain
amount of cooling water is sprayedinthe segment overall. Then,
in a downstream part of the segment, in which the cast slab has
not entered, the cooling water does not hit the cast slab but
run down. For example, when the cast slab has reached to an area
that covers 1/3 from a most upstream side of cooling zone called
as a top zone of directly below of a casting mold, a remained
area of 2/3 on a downstream side from the top zone does not
contribute to cooling of the cast slab. A large amount of water
sprayed to the area that does not contribute to cooling of the
cast slab possibly enters into the nozzles for purge air of the
radiation thermometer installedlower than the area. Especially,
nowadays, methods to strongly cool a cast slab at a most upper
portion of a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster and
the like have been developed, thus an influence from a large
amount of sprayed water falling down has becoming larger than
ever before.
[00071

Inorder to inhibit surface cracking of cast slabmade of Nisteel
and the like in a continuous caster of a vertical bending type,
conditions of strain rate and surf ace temperature of a cast slab
at a bending part and correcting part of the continuous caster
need to be adequately controlled. The strain rate is decided
by structure (curvature) of each part and casting speed. The
structure of each part is fixed, and it is difficult to change
the casting speed since the casting speed controls productivity.
Therefore, surface temperatureofthe castslabateachpartneeds
tobeadequatelycontrolled. However, there are alotof changing
factors that cannot be detected, such as degradation of cooling
sprays at the secondary cooling zone, variation of heat
transmission parameters such as water temperature and amount of
cooling water, component and temperature distribution in a width
direction of the cast slab, temperature variation and flux in
a casting mold of molten steel. Therefore, it is difficult to
obtain an accurate surface temperature of the cast slab at a
required portion by a cooling model and the like. Because of
this, surface temperature measurement of a cast slab at or near
each portion with a high accuracy is a very effective means.
[OOOEI Also, bymeasuringthe surface temperature atonlyone
point of the cast slab to reflect the temperature measurement
value to the cooling model, it is difficult to obtain the surface
temperatures of other portions with a sufficient accuracy. The
reason is that since the surface temperature of the one point
is influenced by a lot of parameters as described, even when a
same surface temperature is detected, the temperature
distribution in a thickness direction of the cast slab and a
thickness of a solidifying shell are sometimes different, and
in such a case, surface temperature of the cast slab at a point
located lower side than the point where the surface temperature
is measured is to be different from each other. As described
below, it is insufficient to measure temperature at only one
convenient point of the cast slab, but it is needed to measure
temperatures of a plurality of points in a casting direction.
It is also considered that if steel grade of the cast slab or
pulling out speed of steel is changed, the optimal position in
the casting direction where the surface temperature is to be
measured in order to inhibit surface cracking is changed. From
this viewpoint as well, it is desirable to carry out temperature
measurement at a plurality of points in the casting direction.
[00091 Further, since temperature distribution exists in the
width direction of the cast slab, it is also needed to measure
surface temperatures of a plurality of points in the width
direction of each part. Regarding the width direction of the
cast slab, temperature measurements of at least points located
near both ends and central portion are needed. For example, when
a shaft bearing of a support roll that supports the cast slab
exists in an area corresponding to 1/3 of width of the cast slab
from the edge of the cast slab in the width direction, sometimes
only the 2 points in the width direction near the shaft bearing
have different temperatures from otherpoints. Further, an area
corresponding to 1/3 to 1/4 of the width from the edge of the
cast slab in the width direction may have a higher temperature
than a surrounding area. Considering this, the temperature
measurement is needed at 5 to 7 points in the width direction.
Therefore, it is desirable to carry out the temperature
measurement at2 points in the casting direction, and for example
6 points in the width direction, on both sides of the cast slab
(temperature measurement at 24 points in total). As described
above, it is needed to carry out the temperature measurement at
many points having distances.
[OOlOI In order to measure the surface temperatures at many
points having distances, many radiation thermometers areneeded,
thereby a large amount of initial cost is needed including
installation work of the radiation thermometers. For instance,
in order to install 12 of radiation thermometers, a large amount
of initial cost of (cost of the radiation thermometers + cost
of installationwork + cost of additionaldevices) x 12 is needed.
Also, considering a possibility of breakdown of the radiation
thermometers, there is a need to prepare extra radiation
thermometers, thereby more radiation thermometers are needed
thanthattobeactuallyinstalledtothe continuous caster. Also,
when many radiation thermometers are used, its maintenance
becomestroublesome, andthat result sinincreasingrunning cost.
Confirmations of accuracy and normal operation (checking) are
requiredtothe radiation thermometers periodically such as from
every half year to every several years. In order to check the
radiation thermometer, some work such as removing the radiation
thermometer from the installment point and confirming the
accuracy using a blackbody furnace and a reference radiation
thermometer is needed. It is desirable to set a plurality of
temperature points to the blackbody furnace representing
temperatures to be measured, however, a certain amount of time
is needed to carry out this checking work to many radiation
thermometers, thereby cost for the checking also increases.
Also, it is difficult to complete the checking work to all
radiation thermometers in a short maintenance term of the
continuous caster. Considering this, it is presumed that nearly
same numbers of extra radiation thermometers as the radiation
thermometers that are actually installed are needed, therefore
cost becomes further increased.
[00111
There is aproblem causedbya structure of vertical bending
type of a continuous caster of recent years. In a continuous
caster of a vertical bending type, a dummy bar (a plurality of
blocks made by steel connected to one another) is disposedinside
before casting is started to be used as a bottom cap when the
casting is started. At the same time of starting of casting,
thedummybarhas a role toleadpullingout of acastslabdownward.
When the dummy bar leads pulling out, a strong tension is applied
to the dummy bar by a pinch roll. In a bending part of the
continuous caster, the dummy bar passes the part bending at an
axis of a connecting portion of the blocks. Because of this,
sometimes the bent portion of the dummy bar widely deviates
outside from the external tangent line of adjacent support rolls
(external tangent line on a side of cast slab). Therefore, if
the nozzles for purge air are projected to near the surface of
the cast slab, the dummy bar possibly hits the nozzles. If the
dummy bar hits the nozzles, by being caught up in the support
rolls, the nozzles bend and thereby the radiation thermometer
gets broken, or the bent nozzles damage the support rolls and
the damage is sometimes transferred to the cast slab. This makes
a great negative effect to a quality and productivity of the cast
slab.
[00121 As a provision of preventing collision of the dummy
bar and the nozzles, it is considered to provide a moving
structure to evacuate the nozzles. However, since inside of the
continuous caster ishot andhumid, suchamoving structure easily
gets broken, thereby it is difficult to stably use the structure
for a long period of time. Also, installation of a large moving
structure in which an sufficient provision is given for
preventing breakdown is sometimes difficult considering space,
or possibly disturbs maintenance capacity and the like of the
continuous caster.
[00131 Considering different problems as described above,
for example, Patent Document 1 suggests a surface temperature
measuring apparatus of slab comprising a first pipe in which an
optical fiver is inserted and a space formed by covering a
backward portion of the first pipe by a second pipe to circulate
cooling water (claims of Patent Document 1). Then, Patent
Document 1 describes that the backward portion of the first pipe
is connected to a compressed air source and air sent from the
backward are jetted from a top end of the first pipe. (Patent
Documentl, the secondpage, left column, line 16 to right column,
line 8). It is also described that a copper pipe having good
heat conductivity is inserted to an inner surface of top end of
the first pipe (Patent Document 1, secondpage, left column, line
9 to line 15). Further, it is described that by inserting a thin
portion that is configured onlybythe first pipe to a gap between
support rolls ofthe continuous caster to circulate coolingwater
in the space, it is possible to cool to the top end of the first
pipe, therefore it is possible to protect the optical fiber from
heat, and by jetting air from the top end of the first pipe, it
is possible to prevent ingress of water drops, and at the same
time, since water vapor existing in sight is blown away to open
the sight, it is also possible to certainly enter the thermal
radiation light radiated from the surface of the slab to the top
end of the optical fiber (Patent Document 1, second page, left
column, line 19 to right column, line 8).
[00141 However, the apparatus described in Patent Document
1 is an apparatus to measure a surface temperature at only one
point of a cast slab, therefore it is not an apparatus that
resolves the problems accompanied with the temperature
measurement at many points described above. Also, when the
invention described in Patent Document 1 was made, main stream
type of the continuous caster was of a vertical type or a bending
type, and pass lines of cast slab make a straight line or a curve
having a constant curvature. Therefore, it is presumed that
there has not been considered of clash of nozzles for purge air
and a dummy bar at all.
[00151 Also, Patent Document 2 suggests a cooling control
method of a continuous cast comprising the steps of, in a
secondary cooling zone of a continuous cast equipment, detecting
a temperature distribution in a width direction on a surface by
a temperature measurement structure in the width direction of
a cast slab, carrying out adjustment of flow amount of cooing
water automatically by a flow amount adjustment structure via
an arithmetic device that controls the temperature distribution
inthewidthdirectiononthe surface to correspond to an intended
temperature, thereby controlling temperature of the cast slab
(Patent Document 2, claim 1). In Patent Document 2, there is
no description of configuration of the thermometer itself.
Intended continuous caster of the method described in Patent
Document 2 is of a bending type, and a correction point of the
cast slab is only one point at a horizontal pass line close to
the end of process in a casting direction (Patent Document 2,
Fig. land the like). Athermometeris disposedtothe correction
point, and moving the thermometer in the width direction of the
cast slab by using the temperature measurement structure, the
temperature distribution in width direction on the surface is
measured (Patent Document 2, secondpage, left below column, line
3 to right below column, line 8).
[00161 However, the method described in Patent Document 2,
in the same manner as in the case where a moving structure to
evacuate the nozzles as described is disposed, has problems of
breakdown and having a large space, since a structure to move
the thermometer in the width direction is installed.
Specifically, in a case where a surface temperature of cast slab
is measured in a continuous caster of a vertical bending type,
if such a structure is installed to a vertical pass line, it is
considered that stable operation of the structure is further
disturbed since the structure is subjected to cooling water
including foreign substance suchas alarge amount of oxide scale
peeled off from a surface of the cast slab.
[0017] Patent Document 3 suggests a cooling apparatus
installed inside a roller apron to coola camera type thermometer
for slab surface that measures a temperature of slab surface,
wherein a water cooling jacket is provided to a circuit of the
camera type thermometer for slab surface, a skirt having a
folding-fan shape is provided to a lower portion of the water
cooling jacket, an air spray nozzle having a ring shape and many
jet holes on side surface and lower surface is provided on the
upper side of the camera type thermometer for slab surface in
the water cooling jacket, and an air spraying device formed by
a member having a shape of straight line attached to one side
ofthe skirt andlocate dinside the skirt, the air sprayingdevice
forming an air membrane laterally or obliquely downward (Patent
Document 3, claiml). According to this cooling apparatus, since
the camera type thermometer for slab surface is equally cooled
efficiently, whicheliminates anegativepressure, it is possible
to inhibit taking in of water vapor from the slab surface, and
since the water vapor coming from the slab is removed and sight
of the camera type thermometer for slab surface is secured,
radiation heat from the slab also can be inhibited (Patent
Document 3, second page, left column, line 24 to line 34).
[OOlE] However, although the skirt described in Patent
Document 3 can be applied at a pass line which is nearly in a
horizontal position where the camera type thermometer sees
downward, ina casewherethepasslineisverticalinacontinuous
caster of a vertical bending type, that is, a surface of cast
slab is nearly in a vertical position, and a direction of air
purge is nearly horizontal, a large amount of water flows in a
timeperiodfrombeforethe casting is startedtilltheveryfirst
stage after the casting is startedandthelike, andneighborhood
of the skirt is in a state being nearly sunk in water. At that
time, if such a large skirt having a folding-fan shape as
describedin Patent Document 3 is used, uniformityin flow amount
of air is disrupted and there is a high possibility of taking
in water into the skirt from some part. Also, sometimes there
is no space to install such a large skirt.
[0019] Also, PatentDocument4 suggests a surface temperature
measuring method of cast slab in a continuous caster by means
of a radiation thermometer, the method comprising measuring a
surface temperature of cast slab by the radiation thermometer
in a state that spray of a second cooling water to an intended
area of temperature measurement on the surface of cast slab is
temporarily stoppedto thereby inhibit generation of water vapor
fromthe second cooling water in the intendedarea of temperature
measurement on the surface of the cast slab (Patent Document 4,
claim 1).
[00201 However, in the method described in Patent Document
4, since spray of cooling water is temporarily stopped when
temperaturemeasurement is carriedout, amount of heat extraction
from the surface of the cast slab is largely different between
when the temperature measurement is carried out and when the
temperature measurement is not carried out, and there is a
possibilitythatthe surface temperature of the cast slab is high
when the temperature measurement is carried out. The
temperature difference between when the temperature measurement
is carriedoutandwhenthetemperaturemeasurementis not carried
out differs depending on different conditions. That is,
representativeness of values of temperature measurement is
vitiated. Also, nowadays, a method to strongly cool a cast slab
at a most upper portion of a continuous caster and the like have
been developed, and in an area where some of a large amount of
cooling water used at the most upper portion (pass line nearly
in a vertical position), water that influences value of
temperature measurement cannot be sufficiently eliminated only
by temporarily stopping the spray of cooling water between
specific support rolls, and sometimes conditions cannot be
satisfied to enable the measurement.
Citation List
Patent Literatures
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent ~pplication Laid-Open
Publication No. S58-90362
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. S54-32130
Patent Document 3: Japanese Examined Utility Model Application
Publication No. H06-12508
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
Publication No. 2009-195959
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[00221 Thepresent inventionhasbeenmade withconsideration
of such conventional techniques, and an object of the present
invention is to provide a method for measuring surface
temperatures of apluralityofpointsofacastslabata secondary
cooling zone of a continuous caster including a vertical bending
type, with a good accuracy and at low cost.
Means for Solving the Problems
[00231 In order to solve the above problems, the inventors
ofthepresentinventionhavebeencarriedoutanintensive study.
As a result of the study, in order to reduce influence from water
existing in a light path in between a cast slab and a radiation
thermometer, they decided to employ a configuration to receive
a thermal radiation light from a cast slab via a so-called air
column thermometer, in other words, via an air column formed by
purge air. They have found out that, at this time, by making
an inner cross section of a nozzle to spray purge air (having
a function of containingone end of an optical fiber that receives
a thermal radiation light from cast slab) substantially circular
in shape to uniform a flow speed distribution of the air, and
making an inner diameter of the circular shape 30 mm or less,
the possibility of ingress of water into the nozzle when casting
is started and the like is reduced. However, they also have
considered that, if the inner diameter of the nozzle is less than
5 mm, a clearance between a sight of the optical fiber and the
inner diameter becomes very small, therefore the sight can be
narrowed because of error in installment of the optical fiber,
vibration, thermal fluctuation and the like. They also found
out that by installing the nozzle between support rolls that
support the cast slab, suchthat atop endofthe nozzle is located
on a side farther from the surf ace of the cast slab than a central
axis of eachofthe supportrolls, itispossibleto surelyprevent
contacting of the nozzle and a dummy bar. They also found out
that, by receiving a thermal radiation light from the cast slab
at one ends of a plurality of optical fibers, and other ends of
the plurality of optical fibers are gathered in a bundle, then
taking images of the other ends of the gathered plurality of
optical fibers with atwo-dimensional or one-dimensional imaging
method (an imaging method (s) less in its numbers than the numbers
of the optical fibers), based on a pixel density of taken image
of the other end of each of the optical fibers, it is possible
to measure surface temperatures of a plurality of points on the
cast slab easily and at low cost. At this time, they found out
that, since it is concernedthatanamountof heat radiation light
transmitted at clad of the optical fiber changes depending on
influences of curve inthe optical fiber and the like, the surface
temperature should be calculated not based on a whole image of
the other end of the optical fiber, but based on a pixel density
of a core image from core at which the thermal radiation light
is stably transmitted.
[00241 The present invention has beenmade based on the above
findings from the inventors of the present invention. Namely,
the present invention is a method for measuring a surface
temperature of cast slab at a secondary cooling zone of a
continuous caster, the method comprisingthe steps of: inserting
one end of each of a plurality of optical fibers to a plurality
of nozzles each having an inner cross section substantially
circular in shape and a plurality of heat-resistant tubes each
connected to each of the nozzles such that a light axis of each
ofthe optical fibers eachsubstantiallycoincides witha central
axis of each of the nozzles, and installing a plurality of the
nozzles such that each of the nozzles is located between support
rolls that support the cast slab; while spraying purge air from
each of the nozzles toward a surface of the cast slab, receiving
a thermal radiation light from the c.ast slab at the one end of
each of the optical fibers via an air column formed by the purge
air; gathering other endof eachofthe optical fibers inabundle
in a housing communicated with each of the tubes, thereby taking
images including core images of the other ends of the optical
fibers gathered in a bundle by using a two-dimensional or
one-dimensional imaging means; and calculating a surface
temperature of an area on the cast slab corresponding to each
of the core images based on a pixel density of each of the core
images in the taken images.
[ 0 0 2 5 1 According to the present invention, since the thermal
radiation light of the cast slab is received via the air column,
it is possible to reduce influence from water existing in the
light path. Further, it is possible to measure surface
temperatures of a plurality of points of the cast slab easily
at low cost. Therefore, according to the present invention, it
is possible to measure surface temperatures of a plurality of
points of a cast slab at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous
caster including a vertical bending type, with a good accuracy
and at low cost.
[0026] In the present invention, it is preferable to use the
nozzles each having an inner diameter of 5 mm to 30 mm.
[00271 According tothis favorable embodiment, apossibility
of ingress of water into the nozzles is reduced.
[00281 In the present invention, it is preferable to install
the nozzles such that a top end of each of the nozzles is located
on a side farther from the surface of the cast slab than a central
axis of each support roll.
[00291 According to this preferable embodiment, it is
possible to surely prevent contacting of the nozzles and a dummy
bar.
[00301 In the present invention, as described in Japanese
Patent Application No. 2012-116771 that the applicant of the
present invention has been filed, it is preferable to adjust a
flow amount ofthe purge air suchthata diameter ofthe air column
at a portion having contact with the surface of the cast slab
is 30 mmto 40 mm.
[00311 Accordingtothispreferable embodiment, bymakingthe
diameter of the air column at the portion having contact with
the surface of the cast slab 30 mm to 40 mm, it is possible to
reduce influence from water existing in the light path, without
disturbing cooling of the cast slab in a continuous caster. In
order tomake the diameter ofthe air column at the portionhaving
contact with the cast slab 30 mm to 40 mm, the flow amount of
purge air can be adjusted corresponding to a distance between
the top end of each of the nozzles and the surface of the cast
slab.
[00321 In the present invention, it is preferable to install
the housing outside a chamber in which the support rolls are
arranged, and to make inside of the nozzles, the tubes and the
housing in a state of positive pressure.
[00331 According to this preferable embodiment, ingress of
water and dust into the nozzles, the tubes and the housing that
can cause error in temperature measurement or breakdown is
effectively prevented and it is possible to efficiently cool
their insides.
[00341 In the present invention, it is preferable to detect
a central pixel of each core image in the images taken by the
above imaging means, and based on a average pixel density near
the central pixel of each core image, to calculate the surface
temperature of the area of the cast slab corresponding to each
core image.
[00351 According to this preferable embodiment, since the
surface temperature is calculated based on the pixel near the
centralpixelineachofthe coreimages, itispossibleto further
reduce influence from the thermal radiation light transmitted
in the clad. Also, since the surface temperature is calculated
based on the average pixel near the central pixel in each of the
core images, it is possible to reduce influence fromvariability
in sensitivity of imaging device (CCD or the like) of the imaging
means.
[00361 In the present invention, it is preferable to
calculateabackgrounddensitybasedonthepixeldensityofpixel
area other than the pixel area of the image of the other end of
the optical fiber in the image taken by the above imaging means,
to subtract the calculated background density from the pixel
density of each of the core images, and after that, to calculate
the surface temperatureoftheareaofthe cast slabcorresponding
to each of the core image based on the pixel density of each of
the core images after subtraction.
100371 In the pixel density of the pixel area other than that
of the image of the other end of each of the optical fibers, a
stray light being a thermal radiation light from another optical
fiber, and a pixel density caused by noises included in imaging
device and signal processing system of the imaging means and the
like. This pixel density is considered to be also included in
the pixel density of each of the core images. Because of this,
as the above favorable embodiment, by calculating the background
density based on the pixel density of the pixel area other than
that of the image of the other end of each of the optical fibers,
and subtracting the calculatedbackground density fromthe pixel
density of each of the core images, the pixel density of each
of the core images after subtraction is a pixel density
corresponding to onlylightamount of the thermal radiation light
transmitted in the core. Therefore, it can be expected that the
surface temperature can be calculated with a much better
accuracy.
[0038] Here, depending on the surface temperature ofthe cast
slab, the light amount of the thermal radiation light from the
cast slab differs widely. For example, in a case where the
surface temperature differs in a range of 600°C to 1000°C, as
a dynamic range in which the thermal radiation light is detected,
a dynamic range of around 1x10' is needed. Considering a case
where a CCD is used as an imaging device of the imaging means,
a dynamic range of detection light amount effective to CCD is
normally decided by a capacity of its resister as a quantum well
(an amount of electric charge that can be stored after
photoelectric conversion), and effective number of bit by which
a stable output can be obtained is around 8 bits (256) to 10 bits
(1024). which falls short ofthe above range. Therefore, inorder
to measure a surface temperature in a wide range, it is needed
to take images with different conditions of combination of
exposure time and gain.
[00391 Therefore, in the present invention, it is preferable
to set a plurality of conditions of combination of exposure time
andgainoftheaboveimagingmeansinadvance, then to take images
more than once including the core images of the other ends of
the optical fibers gathered in a bundle, by repeating the set
conditionsperiodicallyin series, after that, to select animage
whose pixel density is in a predetermined range, by each of the
core images, fromthe plurality of takenimages, and to calculate
the surface temperatureoftheareaofthe cast slab corresponding
to each of the core images based on the pixel density of each
of the core images in the selected image.
[00401 According to this favorable embodiment, images
including the core images of the other ends of optical fibers
are taken more than once by periodically repeating the
predeterminedconditionsof combinationof exposure timeandgain
of the imagingmeans. The conditions of combination of exposure
time and gain of the imaging means can be set in advance
corresponding to a range of the surface temperature of the cast
slab to be measured. Because of this, an image taken with an
adequate condition of combination of exposure time and gain of
the imaging means for the surface temperature of the cast slab
to be measured is included in the plurality of taken images. In
the above favorable embodiment, from the plurality of the taken
images, images in which the pixel density of each of the core
images is inapredetermined range (for instance, whenan imaging
means of 8 bits is used, apixeldensityof 50 to 200) are selected
by each of the core images, and the surface temperature of the
area of the cast slab corresponding to each of the core images
is calculated, based on the pixel density of each of the core
images in the selected images. Because of this, it is expected
that an adequate pixel density corresponding to light amount of
the thermal radiation light from the cast slab can be obtained,
thereby it is possible to measure the surface temperature of the
cast slab with a good accuracy.
[00411 In the present invention, it is preferable to dispose
an optical filter that transmits only light having shorter wave
length than 0.9 pm between a lens and the imaging device of the
above imaging means, and to take images of the light transmitted
the optical filter by the above imaging means.
[00421 Accordingtotheabove favorable embodiment, evenwhen
water exists on the surface of the cast slab, it becomes easy
to inhibit error in temperature measurement.
[00431 Also, inorder to solve theaboveproblems, thepresent
invention is an apparatus for measuring a surface temperature
of cast slab at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster,
the apparatus comprising: a plurality of nozzles each installed
in a manner to be located between support rolls that support the
cast slab, which nozzles each has an inner cross section of
substantially circular in shape and sprays purge air toward the
surface of the cast slab; a plurality of heat-resistant tubes
each connected to each of the nozzles; a plurality of optical
fibers, each one end thereof is inserted to each of the nozzles
and eachofthetubes suchthata light axis of eachof the optical
fibers substantially coincides with a central axis of each of
the nozzles, which optical fibers each receives a thermal
radiation light from the cast slab at each one end thereof via
an air column formed by the purge air; a housing communicated
with each of the tubes, the housing in which other ends of the
optical fibers are gathered in a bundle are disposed; an imaging
means disposed in the housing, which image means takes
two-dimensional or one-dimensional images including core images
of other ends of the optical fibers gathered in a bundle; and
a computing means to calculate a surface temperature of an area
of the cast slab corresponding to each of the core images based
on a pixel density of each of the core images in the taken images.
[ 0 0 4 4 1 According to the apparatus for measuring surface
temperature of cast slab of the present invention, since the
thermal radiation light from the cast slab is received via the
air column, itispossibletoreduceinfluence fromwaterexisting
in the light path. Further, it is possible to measure surface
temperatures of a plurality of points on the cast slab easily
and at low cost. Therefore, according to the apparatus for
measuring surface temperature of the present invention, it is
possible to measure the surface temperatures of the plurality
of the points on the cast slab at a secondary cooling zone of
a continuous caster including a vertical bending type, with a
good accuracy and at low cost.
100451 In the apparatus for measuring surface temperature of
cast slab according to the present invention, it is preferable
that an inner diameter of each of the nozzles is 5 mm to 30 mm.
100461 According tothis favorable embodiment, apossibility
of ingress of water into the nozzle is reduced.
100471 In the apparatus for measuring surface temperature of
cast slab according to the present invention, preferably the
nozzle is installed such that a top end thereof is located on
a side farther from the surface of the cast slab than a central
axis of each of the support rolls.
100481 According tothis favorable embodiment, contactingof
the nozzle and a dummy bar can be certainly prevented.
100491 In the apparatus for measuring surface temperature of
cast slab according to the present invention, as described in
the specificationof Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2012-116771,
it is preferable that a diameter of the air column at a portion
having contact with the surface of the cast slab is 30 mm to 40
mm .
100501 Accordingtothis favorableembodiment, it is possible
to reduce influence fromwaterexistinginthelightpath, without
interrupting cooling of the cast slab in the continuous caster.
In order to make the diameter of the air column at the portion
having contact with the surface of the cast slab 30 mm to 40 mm,
a flow amount of the purge air can be adjusted corresponding to
a distance between the top end of each of the nozzles and the
surface of the cast slab.
100511 In the apparatus for measuring surface temperature of
cast slab according to the present invention, it is preferable
that the housing is installed outside a chamber in which the
support rolls are arranged, and inside of each of the nozzles,
each of the tubes and the housing are in a state of positive
pressure.
100521 According to this favorable embodiment, ingress of
water and dust into the inside of each of the nozzles, each of
the tubes and the housing that can cause error in temperature
measurement and breakdown is effectively prevented, and it is
possible to efficiently cool their insides.
100531 In the apparatus for measuring surface temperature of
cast slab according to the present invention, it is preferable
that an optical filter that transmits only light having shorter
wavelength than 0 . 9 pm is disposed between a lens and an imaging
device of the imaging means.
100541 According to this favorable embodiment, even when
water exists on the surface of the cast slab, it becomes easy
to inhibit error in temperature measurement.
Effects of the Invention
100551 According to the present invention, it is possible to
measure a surface temperatures of apluralityof points of a cast
slab ata secondarycooling zone of a continuous caster including
a vertical bending type, with a high accuracy and at low cost.
Brief Description of The Drawings
100561
Fig. 1A is a view showing a brief structure of a surface
temperature measuring apparatus according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of a nozzle and the neighborhood of
the nozzle of the surface temperature measuring apparatus shown
in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2A is aviewto illustrate points where a surface temperature
of a cast slab is measured by the surface temperature measuring
apparatus shown in Fig. lA, a view showing an entire body of the
cast slab;
Fig. 2B is a view showing points where the surface temperature
ofthe cast slab is measuredby the surface temperature measuring
apparatus shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 2C is a view showing an installment point of the nozzle of
the surface temperature measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 3A is a view illustrating contents of image processing that
a computing means shown in Fig. 1A carries out;
Fig. 3B is a view illustrating the contents of the image
processingthat the computingmeans showninFig. 1Acarries out;
Fig. 3C is a view illustrating the contents of the image
processing that the computing means shown in Fig. 1A carries out;
Fig. 4 is a view showing one example of images takenbyanimaging
means shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 5 is a view showing one example of results of temperature
measurement in a case where thermal radiation lights from a
blackbody furnace having temperatures of 1400°C and 700°C are
received at the same time by the surface temperature measuring
apparatus shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 6A is a view illustrating a general description of an
experiment to confirm en effect of an optical filter that
transmits only light having shorter wavelength than 0.9pm
disposedbetweena lens andanimagingdeviceof theimagingmeans
shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 6B is a view illustrating a structure of a cell used in the
experiment to confirm an effect of the optical filter that
transmits only light having shorter wavelength than 0.9pm
disposed between the lens and the imaging device of the imaging
means shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 6C is a view showing a result of the experiment to confirm
the effect of the optical filter that transmits onlylighthaving
shorter wavelength than 0.9pm disposed between the lens and the
imaging device of the imaging means shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 7A is a view showing one example of measurement results of
the surface temperature of the cast slab measured by the surface
temperature measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 7B is a view showing another example of measurement results
of the surface temperature of the cast slab measured by the
surface temperature measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 1A;
Fig. 8 is a view showing a brief structure of a chamber;
Fig. 9 is a view showing a disposition example of the optical
filter that transmits only light having shorter wavelength than
0.9pm disposed between the lens and the imaging device of the
imaging means shown in Fig. 1A.
Modes for Carrying out the Invention
[00571 Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, one embodiment of the present invention will be
described. Fig. 1A is a view showing a brief structure of
entirety of a surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast
slab according to one embodiment of the present invention, and
Fig. 1B is an enlarged view of a nozzle and the neighborhood of
the nozzle of the surface temperature measuring apparatus shown
inFig. 1A. Fig. 2Ais aviewto describepoints where the surface
temperature of the cast slab is measured by the surface
temperature measuring apparatus shownin Fig. lA, a view showing
anentirebody ofthe cast slab. Fig. 2Bis aview showingpoints
where the surface temperature of the cast slab is measured by
the surface temperature measuring apparatus shown in Fig. 1A.
~ i 2gC is a view showing an installation point of the nozzle of
the surface temperature measuring apparatus shown in Fig. lA,
and Fig. 2C also shows an air column ("AIR" in Fig. 2C) formed
by purge air sprayed from the nozzle. Here, in Figs. 1B and 2C,
a state when the step of 'inserting one end of an optical fiber
to a nozzle whose inner cross section is substantially circular
in shape and a heat-resistant tube connected to the nozzle such
that a light axis of the optical fiber substantially coincides
with a central axis of the nozzle, and installing a plurality
of the nozzles such that each of the nozzles is located between
support rolls that support the cast slab" in the method for
measuring surface temperature of cast slab of the present
invention is finished is also shown. Also, in Fig. 2C, a state
whenthe step of 'while sprayingpurge air fromeachof the nozzles
toward a surface of the cast slab, receiving a thermal radiation
light from the cast slab at the one end of each of the optical
fibers via an air column formed by the purge air" in the method
for measuring surface temperature of cast slab of the present
invention is also shown. Also, in Fig. lA, a state of "gathering
other end of each of the optical fibers in a bundle in a housing
communicated with each of the tubes" in the step of 'gathering
other end of each of the optical fibers in a bundle in a housing
communicated with each of the tubes, thereby taking images
including core images of the other end of each of the optical
fibers gathered in a bundle by using a two-dimensional or
one-dimensional imaging means" is also shown. As shown in Fig.
1A, a surface temperature measuring apparatus 100 according to
the present invention comprises a plurality of nozzles 1, each
nozzle 1 spraying purge air toward a surface of a cast slab S,
a plurality of heat-resistant tubes 2, each heat-resistant tube
2 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "flexible tube 2") being
connected to each of the nozzles 1, a plurality of optical fibers
3, each optical fiber 3 receiving a thermal radiation light from
the cast slab S, ahousing 4 communicatedwitheachof the flexible
tubes 2, an imaging means 5 that takes two-dimensional or
one-dimensional images, and a computing means 6 to calculate the
surface temperature of the cast slab S. In this embodiment, as
shown in Fig. 2A, with regard to cross sections A, B of two points
of the cast slab S located to a bending part and cross sections
C, D of two points of the cast slab S located to a correcting
part in a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster,
measurement is carried out at six points each, and on both sides
(points shown by arrows in Fig. 2B), therefore at 48 points in
total. That is, the nozzles shown in Figs. 1A and 1B are disposed
at the 48 points in total on the surface of the cast slab S facing
to one another.
100581 The nozzle 1 is made to have an inner cross section
of substantially circular in shape, and an inner diameter rl of
the nozzle 1 is 5 mm to 30 mm (in this embodiment, the inner
diameter rl=10 mm, and an outer diameter of 15 mm) . In the nozzle
1, dried compressed air A is introduced via a pipe 11, and purge
air is sprayed from a top end of the nozzle 1. As shown in fig.
lB, a flow control valve 111 and a flow monitor 112 are attached
t o e a c h p i p e 1 1 t h a t i n t r o d u c e s t h e c o m p r e s s e d a i r A t o e a c h n o z z l e
1. T h i s m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e t o a d j u s t f l o w a m o u n t o f t h e compressed
air A introduced to each nozzle 1 separately. An advantage of
being capable of adjusting flow amount of the compressed air A
introduced to each nozzle 1 separately is as follows. As
mentioned above, a large amount of cooling water flows in a time
period from before casting is started and till very early stage
after the casting is started and the like. Each nozzle 1 is
disposed to different position to one another, there is a case
i n w h i c h o n e o f t h e n o z z l e s 1 e x p o s e d t o t h e l a r g e a m o u n t o f cooling
water (hereinafter referred to as "nozzle A"), and another one
of the nozzles 1 exposed only to little amount of cooling water
(hereinafter referred to as "nozzle B") exist together. Of
course, one of the nozzles 1 in a state of the middle of the nozzle
A and nozzle B possibly exists as well. In a case where the flow
control valve 111 and the flow monitor 112 are not attached to
each of the pipes 11 and only total flow amount of the compressed
air A introduced to each nozzle 1, balance between a flow amount
of the compressed air A introduced to the nozzle A and a flow
amount of the compressed air A introduced to the nozzle B is
changed to lower the flow amount of the compressed air A
introduced to the nozzle A, thereby there is a possibility of
ingress of cooling water with dust such as scales into the nozzle
A. As a result of this, an optical window 12 built in the nozzle
A described below can get dirty, or dirt can pile up inside the
nozzle A, which disturbs detection ofthe thermal radiation light.
Because of this, a gross error can occur in temperature measured
through the optical fiber 3 insertedinthe nozzle A, or sometimes
temperature measurement cannot be carried out. Against tothis,
by making it possible to adjust the flow amount of the compressed
air A introduced to each nozzle 1 by attaching the flow control
valve 111 andthe flowmonitor112 to eachnozzlel, it is possible
to avoid such problems. As shown in Fig. 2C, the nozzle 1 is
installed between support rolls R that support the cast slab S
such that a top end of the nozzle 1 is located farther from the
surface of the cast slab S than a central axis RC of each of the
support rolls R. Adiameterof the air column formedbythepurge
air sprayed from the nozzle 1 at a portion having contact with
the surface of the cast slab S (diameter of the air column S)
is set to be 30 mm to 40 mm by adjusting the flow amount of the
compressed air A introduced via the pipe 11.
[0059] The flexible tube 2 is a heat-resistant flexible tube
made of stainless steel and the like and has a role of protecting
the optical fiber 3 from heat, shock, dust, water and the like.
In the flexible tube 2 and the nozzle 1, the dried compressed
air A is introduced via a pipe 14 communicated with the nozzle
1, and thismakes a state of positive pressure inside the flexible
tube 2 and the nozzle 1. Because of this, ingress of water and
dust into the flexible tube 2 and the nozzle 1 that can cause
error in temperature measurement and breakdown is effectively
prevented, and at the same time it is possible to efficiently
cool their insides.
[00601 One end of each of the optical fibers 3 is inserted
to each nozzle 1 and each flexible tube 2 such that a light axis
(central axis) of each optical fiber 3 substantially coincides
with a central axis of the nozzle 1. Also, an optical window
12 and a lens (a convex lens) 13 are built in the nozzle 1. The
optical fiber 3 receives the thermal radiation light from the
cast slab S at the one end thereof 31 via the air column formed
by the purge a i r , the o p t i c a l window 12 and t h e l e n s 13. As the
lens 13, a l e n s having i t s s i g h t a t the top end of the nozzle
1 s m a l l e r t h a n the inner diameter of the nozzle 1 ( f o r example,
about 5 m m ) , and having a f o c a l distance t h a t does not
unnecessarily widen the s i g h t t o the surface of the c a s t s l a b
S is chosen.
[00611 As the o p t i c a l f i b e r 3 , f o r example, an o p t i c a l f i b e r
made of q u a r t z , which o p t i c a l f i b e r has a core diameter of 400
pm, a clad diameter of 500pm and a f i b e r diameter of 4 mm can
be employed. Bothendsthereof are g r i n d e d t o h a v e a f l a t surface
or a convex s u r f a c e . An o p t i c a l f i b e r t h a t has a l a r g e core
diameter receives a l o t of thermal r a d i a t i o n l i g h t t o contribute
t o lower a lower l i m i t of value of temperature measurement, on
the other hand, since it is weak t o bending, care is needed i n
i n s t a l l m e n t . As a covering material f o r an outer surface of the
o p t i c a l f i b e r , a material having a heat r e s i s t a n c e of 1 0 0 ° C or
more, f o r example, a material having a heat r e s i s t a n c e of 150°C
can be applied.
[00621 A housing 4 is i n s t a l l e d outside a chamber ( s t r a n d
chamber) i n which the support r o l l s R disposed t o a bending p a r t
andacorrectingpartofthecontinuous c a s t e r a r e a r r a n g e d . Fig.
8 shows a b r i e f s t r u c t u r e of a chamber X . For easy understanding
o f t h e s t r u c t u r e o f t h e chamberx, d e s c r i p t i o n o f repeatedsymbols
a r e p a r t l y o m i t t e d , a n d t h e n o z z l e s l a r e shownbystraightarrows
i n Fig. 8. Also, i n Fig. 8, the housing 4 is shown being
s i m p l i f i e d . The chamber X is a member made of metal and covering
surrounding of the support r o l l s R , the cast s l a b S and the l i k e .
A space surroundedbythe chamberXisinahotenvironmentbecause
of a r a d i a t i o n heat from t h e c a s t s l a b S . Further, since cooling
water sprayed from a cooling spray Y toward the cast slab S has
contact with the cast slab S and evaporates therebya large amount
of water vapor is generated, the space surrounded by the chamber
X is also in a humid environment. The water vapor in the chamber
X is ejected to outside of the chamber X by an ejecting means
that is not shown. As shown in Fig. 8, in the space surrounded
by the chamber X I the nozzles 1 are disposed, and each nozzle
1 is connected to the housing 4 disposed outside of the chamber
X via the flexible tube whose description is omitted in Fig. 8.
Going back to Fig. lA, description will be continued. In the
housing 4, the dried compressed air A is introduced via a pipe
41, which makes inside of the housing 4 in a state of positive
pressure. In the housing 4, the other end of each of the optical
fibers 3 is gathered in a bundle and disposed. Specifically,
in this embodiment, a FC connector 7 and a bundle fiber 8 are
employed. The FC connector 7 is connected to the other end of
each optical fiber 3. Optical fibers 81 configuring a bundle
fiber 8 each has a core diameter of 400 pm, a clad diameter of
500 pm, which are same as that of the optical fiber 3, and one
ends are each separated from one another, and the only other ends
are bundled. Both sides of each of the optical fibers 81 are
grinded to have a flat face or a convex face. The optical fibers
81 configure the bundle fiber 8, and the one end of each of the
optical fibers 81 separated to one another is linked to the other
end of each of the optical fibers 3 by the FC connector 7. The
one endof eachoptical fiber 81andthe other end of each optical
fiber 3 aregrindedtohave a flat face ora convex face, therefore
transmitting loss in the FC connector 7 is inhibit to be 1% to
2 % , which hardly affects the value of temperature measurement.
It should be noted that, in this embodiment, as a means to gather
theotherendsoftheoptical fibers 3 inabundle, theFCconnector
7 and the bundle fiber 8 are employed, however, the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, the other ends
of the optical fibers 3 can be gathered in a bundle by fixating
them by metal, resin or the like.
roo631 As the imaging means 5, a two-dimensional CCD camera,
a two-dimensional CMOS camera, a CCD line sensor, a CMOS line
sensor and the like can be employed. In this embodiment, as the
imaging means 5, a two-dimensional CCD camera is employed.
Especially, in this embodiment, as a favorable configuration,
a two-dimensional CCD camera that can control its exposure time
(shutter speed) and gain is employed. The imaging means 5 is
disposed in a manner to take images including a core image of
the other endof eachofthe optical fibers 3 gatheredinabundle.
In this embodiment, the imaging means 5 is disposed in a manner
to take images including a core image of the other end of the
optical fiber 81 that configures the bundle fiber 8.
Specifically, the imaging means 5 is disposed such that core
images of the other ends of the plurality of the optical fibers
81 (in this embodiment, six optical fibers 81) are in one imaging
sight of the imaging means 5. Also, an optical filter that
transmits only light having wavelength shorter than 0.9 pm is
disposedbetweenalensandanimagingdevice of theimagingmeans
5. This makes it possible to inhibit error in temperature
measurement due to absorption of thermal radiation light by water
existing between the one end of the optical fiber 3 and the cast
slab S. Thermal radiation light to be detected forms an image
on the imaging device of theimagingmeans 5 via the optical fiber
3, the bundle fiber 8 and the optical filter mentioned above.
Fig. 9 shows a disposition example of the optical filter to be
disposed between the lens and the imaging device of the imaging
means 5. As shown in Fig. 9, an optical filter 51 that transmits
only light having wavelength shorter than 0.9 pm is disposed
between a lens 52 and an imaging device 53.
[0064] Imaging magnification of the imaging means 5 is, as
described above, set such that core images of the other ends of
the plurality of the optical fibers 81 (in this embodiment, 6
optical fibers 81) are in one imaging sight of the imaging means
5. Further, in this embodiment, in order to calculate an average
pixeldensityof neighborhoodof a central pixel in the core image,
as described below, the imaging magnification of the imaging
means 5 is set such that a plurality of pixels (preferably, 9
or more of pixels) are included in the core image.
[00651 A computing means 6 calculates a surface temperature
of an area of the cast slab corresponding to each core image,
based on the pixel density of each core image in the images taken
by the imaging means 5. Specifically, the computing means 6 is
configured with a personal computer in which a software to carry
outapredeterminedimageprocessingdescribedlatertothetaken
images and to carry out a predetermined arithmetic processing
to a result of the image processing to thereby calculate the
surface temperature is installed.
[00661 Hereinafter, a method for measuring surface
temperature of the cast slab S by the surface temperature
measuring apparatus 100 having the above configuration will be
specifically described.
[0067] Fig. 3A to Fig. 3C are views to illustrate contents
of the image processing that the computing means shown in Fig.
1 carries out. A plurality of conditions of exposure time and
gain are set in advance to the imaging means 5. As shown in Fig.
3A, the imaging means 5 repeats the set conditions periodically
in series thereby takes images I including the core image of the
other end of each of the optical fibers 81 more than once. Each
taken image I is stored in the computing means 6. In the example
shown in Fig. 3A, 8 conditions (condition 1 to condition 8) of
the conditions of combination of exposure time and gain are set
in advance, and the imaging with each condition is periodically
repeated.
[0068] As shown in Fig. 3B, in the computing means 6, a area
D of detection pixel to each taken image I is set by every image
81F of the other end of each optical fiber 81 in advance. In
Fig. 3B, only one area D of the detection pixel is shown for
convenience, however, in fact, six area Ds of detection pixel
are set. The area D of detection pixel is a wider pixel area
than apixelarea of the image 81F ofthe other end of the optical
fiber 81 that can be assumed fromthe imaging sight of the imaging
means 5. The computingmeans 6, for example, calculates a center
of the pixel density in the area D of detection pixel, and sets
the pixel located on the calculated center as a central pixel
CC ofthe core image 81C. As shownabove, bydetectingthe central
pixel CCof the core image 81C, i t i s p o s s i b l e t o i n h i b i t i n f l u e n c e
fromamechanical positionvariation (variation in imaging sight)
of the imaging means 5 and position variation of the core image
81C due to temperature change.
[ 0 0 6 9 ] As shown i n Fig. 3C, i n the computing means 6 , a p i x e l
area CA f o r c a l c u l a t i n g average p i x e l density being a p i x e l area
of neighborhoodofthe c e n t r a l p i x e l c c o f t h e d e t e c t e d c o r e image
81C is s e t i n advance. For example, the p i x e l area CA f o r
calculatingaveragepixeldensityis a p i x e l a r e a of 3x3 centering
the c e n t r a l p i x e l CC. The computingmeans 6 c a l c u l a t e s anaverage
p i x e l density by averaging t h e p i x e l density i n s i d e t h e p i x e l
area CA f o r c a l c u l a t i n g average p i x e l d e n s i t y . Output a f t e r A/D
conversion of CCD has a random v a r i a t i o n about 1 t o 2 b i t s .
However, by c a l c u l a t i n g the average p i x e l density as above, it
is possible t o i n h i b i t the random v a r i a t i o n i n t o l e s s than 1 b i t .
[ 0 0 7 0 ] Also, as shown i n Fig. 3C, i n the computing means 6,
a p i x e l a r e a BA f o r calculatingbackgrounddensity, being a p i x e l
a r e a o t h e r than t h e p i x e l area of the image 81F of the other end
of the o p t i c a l f i b e r 81 ( p i x e l area located a p o s i t i o n having
apredetermineddistance f r o m t h e c e n t r a l p i x e l CCof t h e d e t e c t e d
core image 81C) is s e t inadvance. Thecomputingmeans 6 averages
t h e p i x e l density i n s i d e the p i x e l area BA f o r c a l c u l a t i n g
background density thereby c a l c u l a t e s t h e background density.
The computing means 6 s u b t r a c t s the background density from the
average p i x e l density of each core image 8 1 C . A s shown above,
by s u b t r a c t i n g the background density form the average pixel
density of each core image 81C, t h e p i x e l density df each core
image 8 1 C a f t e r t h e s u b t r a c t i o n inwhich influence of s t r a y l i g h t ,
noise and the l i k e is reduced becomes a p i x e l density
corresponding only t o a l i g h t amount of the thermal r a d i a t i o n
l i g h t transmitted a t the core, t h e r e f o r e it can be expected t h a t
the surface temperature of the cast s l a b S canbe c a l c u l a t e d with
a good accuracy. The computing means 6 judges i f the pixel
density of each core image 81C after subtraction is in a
predetermined range (for example, in a case where the imaging
means 5 of 8 bits is employed, a pixel density of 50 to 200) or
not. As a result of this, the core image 81C whose pixel density
after subtraction is outside of the range set in advance is
removedfromthe object of arithmeticprocessingmentionedbelow.
As described above, the pixel density of each core image 81C of
each taken image I (density in which the background density is
subtracted fromthe average pixel density of each core image 81C)
is calculated.
[00711 In the computing means 6, a calibration curve
(correspondingrelationshipbetweenthepixeldensityofthe core
image 81C and temperature) made in advance is stored. This
calibration curve is made by every condition of combination of
exposure time and gain. In this embodiment, since eight
conditions of combinationof exposure time andgainare set, eight
calibration curves respectively made by the eight conditions in
advance, and each calibration carve is stored in the computing
means 6 associated with each condition. Also, in the computing
means 6, when each taken image I is stored, a condition of each
taken image I (one of conditions 1 to 8) is stored together. The
computingmeans 6 calculates the surface temperature of the cast
slab S corresponding to each core image 81C of each taken image
I, by means of the pixel density of each core image 81C of each
taken image I and the calibration curve associated with the
condition of each taken image I. Then, the computing means 6
obtains largest value or an average value of the surface
temperature corresponding to eachcoreimage 81Coftheplurality
of the taken images I obtained in a predetermined time period
set in advance (for instance, 1 minute) by every core image 81C,
and outputs the largest value or the average value as a result
of surface temperature measurement of a area of the cast slab
S corresponding to each core image 81C. At this time, the
computing means 6 removes the core image 81C whose pixel density
after subtraction is outside of the range set in advance as
described above from the object to obtain the largest value or
the average value. It should be noted that, in order to inhibit
influence of dropping water from the support rolls R, it is
preferable that the largest value of the surface temperature
obtained in the predetermined time period is output as a result
of surface temperature measurement.
[00721 The calibration curve described above can be made by
means of a blackbody furnace and a reference radiation
thermometer, changing temperature of the blackbody furnace by
each 10°C to several dozens of degrees C, obtaining a
corresponding relationship between output of the reference
radiation thermometer and the pixel density of the core image
81C. The calibration curve described above can be made by every
optical fiber 3 (81). In this case, each calibration curve
corresponding to each condition by every optical fiber 3 (81)
(that is, in this embodiment, the numbers of the optical fibers
3 48x8 conditions= 384 of calibration curves) are stored in the
computing means 6. Also, since the variation of the sensitivity
of CCD is relatively small, it can be considered that only one
calibration curve for one of the optical fibers 3 (81) is made
to divert for other optical fibers 3 (81). Further, in a case
where transmitting efficiency of the thermal radiation light has
a variety, such as a case where the light fibers 3 (81) have
different lengths, it is also possible, by making one optical
fiber 3 (81) as a representative channel to make an accurate
calibration curve setting a lot of temperatures to a blackbody
furnace, and for other optical fibers 3 (El), by carrying out
temperature measurement with a few set temperatures of the
blackbody furnace, thereby obtaining a corresponding
relationship to the calibration of the representative channel,
and using the corresponding relationship and the calibration
curve of the representative channel, to presume calibration
curves of the other optical fibers 3 (81).
[00731 Asdescribedabove, the temperaturemeasurement ofthe
surface temperature of the cast slab S by the surface temperature
measuring apparatus 100 is carried out.
[00741 Fig. 4 is a view showing one example of the taken image
I by means of the imaging means 5. In the example shown in Fig.
4, the otherendsof sixoptical fibers 81 (CHltoCH6) arearranged
on a substantially straight line. CH2 and CH4 shown in Fig. 4
detect a thermal radiation light from a blackbody furnace having
atemperature of 1400°C, andCH1, CH3, CH5 andCH6 detect athermal
radiation light from the blackbody furnace having a room
temperature. As described above, in order to carry out a
temperature measurement with a good accuracy, the surface
temperature needs to be calculated not based on the entire image
of the other end of the optical fiber 81, but based on the pixel
density of the core image in which the thermal radiation light
is stably transmitted. However, in a case where brightness of
the thermal radiation light detected by each optical fiber 3 is
greatly different from each other, output light at the other end
of the optical fiber 3 in which a thermal radiation light from
hot object is transmitted reflects at a fixation member of the
other endofthebundle fiber 8, surface ofthe lens ofthe imaging
means 5 and the like to be a stray light. In order to inhibit
this stray light, as described above, other than the processing
of subtracting the background density calculated at the pixel
areaBAfor calculatingbackgrounddensity fromthe averagepixel
density of the core image calculated at the pixel area CA for
calculatingaveragepixeldensity, as showninFig. 3B, arranging
the other ends of the optical fibers 81 in a zigzag manner, to
thereby make a distance as wide as possible between each of the
optical fibers 81 can be considered. It is also effective to
apply anon-reflecting coating to anend face ofthe optical fiber
3, 81.
Further, nowadays, sinceatwo-dimensional CCD cameraor the like
is relatively inexpensive, it is more desirable to form an image
by arranging onlythe optical fibers 3 (81) that transmit thermal
radiation light of adjacent measuring points (when the measuring
points are close to each other, difference in temperature is
relatively small) by means of one imaging means 5, than to form
an image of the other ends of the optical fibers 3 (81) that
transmit thermal radiation lights of different measuring points
by means of one imaging means 5. For example, it is found out
that by using different imaging means 5 to each cross section
of A to D shown in Fig. 2A on both faces (8 imaging means 5 in
total), influence from the stray light can be inhibited.
[00751 The surface temperature measuring apparatus 100
according to this embodiment also needs to have a testing work
regularlyinorderto confirmaccuracyintemperaturemeasurement
and the like. Ina general test byusing a radiation thermometer,
there is a need to change temperatures of the blackbody furnace
little by little by every radiation thermometer. However, the
accuracy in temperature measurement of the surface temperature
measuring apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can be
considered by dividing the variety in the value of temperature
measurement by one representative channel and deviation and
variety in deviation of the value of temperature measurement
between channels, therefore it is possible to simplify the
testingwork. That is, with regard tothe representative channel,
a normal test is-carried out, on the other hand, with regard to
the other channels, it is enough to confirm the deviation or the
variety in deviation to the value of temperature measurement by
the representative channel using 1 to several points of
temperatures oftheblackbody furnace, thereforethetestingwork
can be simplified.
[00761 Fig. 5 is a graph showing one example of results of
temperature measurement in a case where the other ends of six
optical fibers 81 (CHI-CH6) is arranged on a substantially
straight line to form an image by using the imaging means 5,
wherein thermal radiation lights from a blackbody furnace having
temperatures of 1400°C and 700°C are received at the same time,
which is same in the case shown in Fig. 4. CHI receives the
thermal radiation light of 700°C, and CH3 receives the thermal
radiation light of 1400°C. As described above, it was confirmed
that by carrying out theprocessingof subtractingthe background
density from the average pixel density of the core image,
influence from the stray light was inhibited, and both of the
thermal radiation lights were able to be measured with a
sufficient accuracy.
[0077] Fig. 6Ais aviewillustratingsummaryof anexperiment
confirming the effect of the optical filter that transmits only
light having wavelength shorterthan 0.9 pm disposedbetweenthe
lens and the imaging device of the imaging means 5. Fig. 6B is
a view illustrating the structure of the cell used in the
experiment whose summary is shown in Fig. 6A. Fig. 6C is a view
illustrating result of the experiment whose summary is shown in
Fig. 6A. In this experiment, as shown in Fig. 6A, a cell was
inserted in between the surface temperature measuring apparatus
100 according to the present invention and a blackbody furnace
having a preset temperature of 810°C, and change in value of the
temperaturemeasurement whenthe cellwasinsertedwas confirmed.
As shown in Fig. 6C, there is only 1°C difference in value of
thetemperaturemeasurementaftertheinsertionbetweenina case
where a 20 mm thickness of water is in the cell and in a case
where water is not in the cell. The waterless cell configured
in the same manner as in the cell shown in Fig. 6B except that
the cell does not have water has an error in temperature
measurement due to reflecting light because the waterless cell
has 4 interfaces of the quarts window. Considering this, the
error in temperature measurement due to absorption by water
having a thickness of 20 mm can be estimated at around 4.s0C.
From this, it can be said that the error in temperature
measurement can be inhibited within around 5OC if the thickness
of water is less than 20 mm.
[00781 Fig. 7A is a view showing an example of results of
measurement ofthe surface temperatureofthe castslabsmeasured
by the surface temperature measuring apparatus 100 according to
the present invention, and showing results of temperature
measurement of 6 channels on the back side of the cross section
A shown in Fig. 2A. Fig. 7B is a view showing another example
of results of measurement of the surface temperature of the cast
slab S measured by the surface temperature measuring apparatus
100 according to the present invention, and showing results of
temperature measurement of 6 channels on the back side of the
cross section B shown in fig. 2A. As shown in Figs. 7A and 7B,
according to the surface temperature measuring apparatus 100 of
the present invention, it was possible to stably measure the
temperatures of many points of the cast slab S being casted by
a continuous caster. As a result of this, it became possible
to inhibit generation of surface cracking. It became also
possible to inhibit improper decrease in productivity (decrease
of casting speed) because of fear to generation of surface
cracking.
Description of the Reference Numerals
[00791
AIR air column
rl inner diameter of nozzle
R support roll
RC central axis of support roll
S cast slab
X chamber
1 nozzle
2 flexible tube (tube)
3,81 optical fiber
4 housing
5 imaging means
6 computing means
7 FC connector
8 bundle fiber
51 optical filter
100 Surface temperature measuring apparatus
We claim:
1. A method for measuring a surf ace temperature of a cast slab
at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster, the method
comprising the steps of:
inserting one end of each of a plurality of optical fibers
to a plurality of nozzles each having an inner cross section
substantiallycircularinshapeandapluralityofheat-resistant
tubes each connected to each of the nozzles such that a light
axis of each of the optical fibers each substantially coincides
with a central axis of each of the nozzles, and installing a
plurality of the nozzles such that each of the nozzles is located
between support rolls that support the cast slab;
while spraying purge air from each of the nozzles toward
a surface of the cast slab, receiving a thermal radiation light
from the cast slab at the one end of each of the optical fibers
via an air column formed by the purge air;
gathering other ends of the optical fibers in a bundle to
inside a housing communicated with each of the tubes to take
images including core images of the other ends of the optical
fibers gathered in a bundle, by using a two-dimensional or
one-dimensional imaging means disposed inside the housing; and
calculating the surface temperature of an area of the cast
slab corresponding to each of the core image based on a pixel
density of each of the core image in the taken images.
2. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to claiml, the methodcomprisingusingthenozzles
each having an inner diameter of 5 mm to 30 mm.
3. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to claim 1 or 2, the method comprising installing
the nozzles such that each top end thereof is located on a side
farther from the surface of the cast slab than a central axis
of each of the support rolls.
4. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the method comprising
adjusting a flow amount of the purge air such that a diameter
of the air column at a portion having contact with the surface
of the cast slab is 30 mm to 40 mm.
5. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the method comprising
installing the housing outside a chamber in which the support
rolls are arranged, and making inside of the nozzles, the tubes
and the housing in a state of positive pressure.
6. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the method comprising
detecting a center pixel of each of the core images in the images
taken by the imaging means and calculating the surface
temperature of the area of the cast slab corresponding to each
of the core images based on an average pixel density of
neighborhood of the center pixel in each of the core images.
7. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising
calculating a background density based on the pixel density of
pixel area other than the pixel area of the image of the other
end of each of the optical fibers in the image taken by the imaging
means, subtracting the calculated background density from the
pixel density of each of the core images, and calculating the
surface temperature of the area of the cast slab corresponding
to each of the core images based on the pixel density of each
of the core images after subtraction.
8. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to anyone of claims 1to 7, the method comprising:
setting aplurality of conditions of combination of exposure time
and gain of the imaging means in advance; taking images including
the core images of the other ends of the optical fibers gathered
in a bundle more than once by repeating the set conditions
periodically in series; selecting an image of each of the core
images whose pixel density is in a predetermined range, by each
of the core images, from the plurality of taken images; and
calculating the surface temperature of the area of the cast slab
corresponding to each of the core images based on the pixel
density of each of the core images in the selected image.
9. The method for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising
disposing an optical filter that transmits only light having
shorter wavelength than 0.9 pm between a lens and the imaging
device of the imaging means, and taking images of the light
transmitted the optical filter by the imaging means.
10. An apparatus for measuring a surface temperature of a cast
slab at a secondary cooling zone of a continuous caster, the
apparatus comprising:
a plurality of nozzles each installed in a manner to be
located between support rolls that support the cast slab, the
nozzles each having an inner cross section of substantially
circular in shape and spraying purge air toward the surface of
the cast slab;
a plurality of heat-resistant tubes each connected to each
of the nozzles;
a plurality of optical fibers, each one end thereof is
inserted to each of the nozzles and each of the tubes such that
alight axis of each of the optical fibers substantially coincides
with a central axis of each of the nozzles, the optical fibers
each receiving a thermal radiation light from the cast slab at
each one end thereof via an air column formed by the purge air;
a housing communicated with each of the tubes, the housing
in which other ends of the optical fibers gathered in a bundle
are disposed;
an imaging means disposed in the housing, the means taking
two-dimensional or one-dimensional images including core images
of the other ends of the optical fibers gathered in a bundle;
and
a computing means to calculate a surface temperature of an
area of the cast slab corresponding to each of the core images
based on a pixel density of each of the core images in the taken
images.
11. The surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast slab according
to claim 10, wherein an inner diameter of each of the nozzles is 5 mm
to 30 mm.
12. The surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast slab according
to claim 10 or 11, wherein each of the nozzle is installed such that
a top end thereof is located on a side farther from the surface of the
cast slab than a central axis of each of the support rolls.
13. The surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast slab according
to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein a diameter of the air column at
a portion having contact with the surface of the cast slab is 30 mm to
40 mm.
14. The surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast slab according
to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the housing is installed outside
a chamber in which the support rolls are arranged, and inside of each
of the nozzles, each of the tubes, and the housing are in a state of
positive pressure.
15. The surface temperature measuring apparatus of cast slab according
to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein an optical filter that transmits
only light having shorter wavelength than 0.9 pm is disposed between
a lens and an imaging device of the imaging means.
Dated this 24th day of March,2014.