Laser Mapping of Carbon Bake Furnaces

Abstract

The flue walls in carbon bake furnaces (CBFs) deform over time under cyclic heating and cooling, leading to difficulties in loading/unloading anodes, and inconsistent anode baking. It is useful to regularly measure the deformations to establish the rate of deterioration and assist in the prediction of flue wall life. Boyne Smelters Limited commissioned a new CBF in 2012. During commissioning, CSIRO utilised its 3D laser scanning technology to map the CBF. A sensor payload consisting of a scanning laser rangefinder sensor connected to a logging and processing PC was suspended from a crane and moved over open pits in a pattern to obtain sufficient coverage of internal pit surfaces, as well as some of the CBF floor and walls. The resulting data is useful for comparing the finished CBF to blueprint plans, and serves as a baseline for future scan comparisons to determine deformations of the flue walls and pit floor.