Slopping detection system for LD converters using sound signal digital and image processing

The steel production is divided into a series of steps. One of these steps is the transformation of pig iron into steel and the most widely used method in the world for this is through blowing of oxygen using the so-called LD converters. The reactions that provide such a transformation produce a foam inside the converter. Although it is fundamental to the process, the foam can overflow the top of the converter, an event called slopping, causing serious problems such as loss of efficiency of the process, damage to the equipment, risk to employees and environmental pollution. The detection and control of such event is crucial. The current work presents a method for slopping detection using sound and image processing, based on previous works. Sound and video data from 67 heats were collected at a steel mill and the results of the detection system were obtained.