On-Line Sensor for Powdered Metal Processing

熔融金属雾化的非侵入式在线传感器具有通过改进工艺控制来提高粉末产量的潜力。金属粉末生产过程的预测和控制在很大程度上是基于操作员的经验。控制粉末产量、粉末质量和成品质量的操作变量之间的复杂关系尚不清楚。粉末质量是指粉末的粒度、粉末的粒度分布和粉末的微观结构。通过控制生产较小尺寸的粉末可以增加快速凝固；改善粉末的微观结构和化学均匀度与凝固速度直接相关。目前的金属粉末生产监测做法仅限于在生产过程中由操作员目测喷雾，并在生产完成后进行定量筛分分析。目前，在批量生产过程中，还没有在线传感器来定量评估粉末质量。Insitec在设计和开发用于化石能源燃烧器中的颗粒尺寸、浓度和速度测量的非侵入性现场仪器方面拥有丰富的经验。

Non-intrusive, on-line sensors of molten metal atomization have the potential to improve powder yields through improved process control. The prediction and control of powdered metal production processes are largely based on operator experience. The complex relations between the operating variables controlling powder yield, powder quality and finished product quality are not yet well understood. Powder quality refers to powder size, powder size distribution, and the powder microstructure. Rapid solidification will be increased by the controlled production of smaller powder sizes; improved powder microstructure and chemical homogeneity are directly related to solidification rates. Current powdered metal production monitoring practices are limited to visual observation of sprays by an operator during the production process and a quantitative sieve analysis after production is completed. Presently there is no on-line sensor to quantitatively assess powder quality during the course of the batch production process. Insitec has extensive experience in the design and development of non-intrusive, in situ instrumentation for particle size, concentration, and velocity measurements in fossil energy combustors.