Method and apparatus for testing material utilizing differential temperature measurements
US6220748A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 15, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 24, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 15, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N1/125
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for timely and accurate measurement of material parameters are disclosed. A test sensor measures the temperature of a sample of material as it is heated up and/or cooled down. A reference sensor is used to obtain differential temperature measurements as the temperature of the test sample is varied. A differential temperature trace is generated and analyzed in order to determine various characteristics of the material being tested. In one embodiment, the sodium fluoride to aluminum fluoride ratio (NaF:AlF.sub.3) and alumina concentration in a Hall bath aluminum smelting operation are determined in order to efficiently control smelting of aluminum metal. In this embodiment, bath temperature and liquidus temperature may be measured and compared in order to determine the amount of superheat of the bath and to prevent the operation of smelters at higher temperatures than necessary.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.