Objective
In this project a detailed investigation of electrochemical sensing principles for the detection of certain elements in molten aluminium is proposed
A prototype sensor, based on sodium conducting beta-alumina, was constructed and tested in semi-industrial (50 kg) as well as industrial circumstances (250 kg of aluminium-silicon alloy). The obtained emf values with oxidic reference materials have a maximum scatter of 5 ppm in the range 30 to 150 ppm. Since this accuracy is sufficient for the application involved, further development work must lead to a practical sensor for measuring the sodium content of casting alloys. Moreover, the thermal shock stable beta-alumina ceramic may also be used for other sensor applications.
A potentiometric hydrogen measuring cell for molten aluminium, using gaseous reference, has been constructed and shown to work on laboratory scale. In the 50 kg volumes however, a severe and unwanted offset was observed and hampered the measurements although the sensors clearly responded to hydrogen changes induced by bubbling hydrogen around the sensor. Additionally, a production route of proton conducting ceramics was established and can be used for other applications. Finally, a commercial measuring system was purchased and evaluated. It was shown that, in order to be used under semi-industrial circumstances, a specific methodology was needed and developed.
In order to develop a magnesium sensor a probe based on a molten salt immobilized in a porous MgO membrane was successfully tested under inert atmosphere, as well as in air. The obtained values correspond well with the off-line analyses obtained by classical spectroscopic techniques, the response is instantaneously once the probe has stabilised in the melt and the life-time is at least several hours. A first test of three sensors at Hoogovens Aluminium N.V. yielded reliable and very promising results for two of the three sensors. One of these indicated the expected value, within 0.1 wt% Mg, during the whole casting operation, proving the excellent opportunities for developing sensors based on immobilized salts.
As a general conclusion, it can be stated that the project reported has demonstrated that for all three sensors particular concepts have been designed, constructed and tested, Each of them has sufficient potential to be developed into a commercial product or prototype. Due to the integration of the material development phase into this 'sensors development project', the production routes of the key ceramic elements are available now and yield the strategic basis for further research.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkali metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- engineering and technology materials engineering ceramics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Coordinator
2400 MOL
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.