Hylsa, S.a.

Federico A Rodriguez

Jorge O Becerra Novoa

Julian Sanchez Ramirez

Method for rapid and accurate weight determination of molten metal in a slag-containing bath preferably without any necessity for direct gross weighings in a hostile steel works environment or otherwise, by the addition to the molten bath of a known weight amount of a 'trace' element (preferably of a type which is completely diluted in the molten metal, to the practical exclusion of the slag); awaiting the even dispersal of the trace element in the molten metal (aiding the speed of dispersal by promoting a boiling action, if necessary); taking a sample of the molten metal; analyzing the sample to determine the weight percent of trace element in the molten metal (for example by spectrometric analysis); and determining the weight of the metal from the known values of weight of the trace element added and its weight percent in the molten metal after addition. In the event that a measurable amount of the trace element exists in the molten metal prior to the addition of the weighed amount, then it is also necessary to take a sample of the metal prior to addition and determine the weight percent of the trace element in that first sample. Alternatively, the trace element may selectively dissolve in the slag, thus similarly permitting the determination of the weight of the slag; but requiring a knowledge of the net weight of the molten bath if the weight of the molten metal is ultimately required. Similarly, if the trace element used dissolves in both the molten metal and the slag; then it will be necessary in this case also to know the net weight of the molten bath (e.g. by crane weighing load cell systems) as well as the weight percentages in the slag (e.g. determined by x-ray fluorescence).

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Garza Garcia, Mexico

Federico A Rodriguez