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Slag and Matte Tapping

The process of smelting involves separating slag, a stony waste material, from the molten metal called matte. Slag, being less dense than matte, is removed from the furnace first, and this transition is determined by monitoring the temperature of the main flow.

To transport slag and matte slurries, trough-like structures called launders are employed. These launders are constructed from various materials like steel and concrete and are coated with specialised materials to withstand the abrasive and corrosive nature of the materials they carry.

An AMETEK Land fixed thermal imager is used to monitor the temperature along the launder, enabling real-time decision-making without operators having to be near the hazardous furnace. This thermal imager captures the entire process, allowing metallurgists to study its intricate details without overwhelming the operator with excessive information.

Furthermore, equipment lifespan calculations are performed based on the duration of contact between the molten material and the equipment. For instance, the lifespan of a launder can be calculated. This approach facilitates efficient equipment replacement, preventing costly failures, and eliminates the unnecessary waste associated with replacing equipment that is still within its operating limits.

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