Connors Industrials Inc

Heat vision for steel plants

Most of the work at Connors Industrials is in steel production, where it designs, fits and maintains thermographic inspection and monitoring systems. The company says its strength is its people: a team with over a hundred years of steelmaking experience between them, together with mechanical and ceramic engineers, electrical technicians, thermographers and software developers. They supply customized turnkey systems to steel producers and other large industrial manufacturers in many countries.

Seeing what the eye cannot

The company's explanation of the technology is that infrared sensors capture heat radiation, so a camera can show both the energy released and where it is going, even where nothing is visible. In steelmaking, it says, hot processes with fast reactions are hard to watch with conventional methods and can drift out of conformance quickly, so it offers continuous infrared monitoring that reveals deviations in color rather than leaving staff to read tables of numbers. Once a baseline image exists, operators can learn what normal looks like and spot variances sooner. It argues that the cost of such a system is small beside the cost of an industrial failure.

The product line

• Thermal slag detection uses infrared cameras to control how much slag carries over, with the aim of shortening process time, cutting alloy use, improving yield and keeping the steel clean.
• LadleVision measures the rate at which the ladle meniscus rises, using infrared and software.
• Torpedo Vision protects personnel and vessels while liquid iron is transported.
• Skim Vision gives an accurate view of ladle metallurgy furnace and vacuum tank degassing work, and measures the digital intensity of the surface to promote consistency.
• Remote furnace monitoring is an inspection system for electric furnaces that helps produce accurate readings without sending staff close to the vessel.
• Snout Vision is described as a novel apparatus and method for judging how the melt pot snout on hot-dip lines and the coating of the steel are behaving.

Support after installation

The company stresses service: a one-year warranty, maintenance contracts, remote monitoring over VPN, round-the-clock technical support, on-site training, software updates and reporting options. It notes that each infrared camera system it has looked after since 1998 continues to run.

Wider uses of thermal imaging

Its articles list further uses of the technology, including leak finding, heat source identification, building ventilation checks, fire confirmation and night-time safety at sea. The company says it can supply both system software and hand-held equipment for site reviews.

Connors Industrials Inc designs, installs and services thermographic inspection and monitoring systems, mainly for steelmaking. Its team mixes steel industry experience with mechanical, ceramic and electrical engineering, thermography and software development, and it supplies turnkey systems to manufacturers in many countries.

Services

• Thermal slag detection: infrared cameras that help control slag carry-over, improving yield, alloy use and steel cleanliness.
• LadleVision and Torpedo Vision: monitoring of ladles and torpedo cars to protect staff and vessels carrying liquid iron.
• Remote furnace monitoring: remote inspection of electric furnaces for more accurate readings.
• Skim Vision and process views: imaging of LMF and vacuum tank degassing, and surface intensity measurement for consistency.
• Snout Vision: condition monitoring of the hot-dip melt pot snout and the steel coating process.
• Service and support: a one-year warranty, maintenance contracts, VPN off-site monitoring, round-the-clock technical service, on-site training and software updates.

Who it serves

The company serves steel producers and other major industrial manufacturers around the world.

Key facts

• Industry experience: over 100 years of combined steelmaking experience in the team
• Track record: every infrared camera system it has serviced since 1998 is still operating
• Disciplines: mechanical, ceramic and electrical engineering, thermography and software development