This time, HTEC-video collaborated with Tianyuan Group (Sichuan Pingshan Tianyuan Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.) to deploy a custom infrared monitoring system for an electric arc furnace (titanium slag furnace). The system provides real-time visual and thermal monitoring inside the furnace, enabling safer and more efficient operation under extreme high-temperature and reducing conditions.

Founded in 1944, Tianyuan Group is one of the earliest chlor-alkali producers in China and the largest chlor-alkali producer in Southwest China. Its business covers chlor-alkali chemicals, titanium chemicals, polymer materials, lithium battery materials, and modern services.

Unlike conventional installations, the system in this project was installed at a side observation port. During titanium smelting, the furnace operates in a strongly reducing atmosphere, with intense titanium slag splashing. After cooling, the slag becomes extremely hard. In addition, titanium vapor and oxide dust may escape from the furnace. Keeping the observation port open for extended periods would not only contaminate the workshop air but also pose health risks to personnel. Therefore, the observation port cannot remain open during normal production.

Due to slag splashing, titanium slag tends to accumulate at the observation port, forming hard, ceramic-like block attachments. These deposits must be manually removed using steel rods, scrapers, or oxygen torches. At the same time, heavy metal vapor condensates, oxide dust, and fragments of refractory lining must also be manually cleaned. The site technicians specifically requested that “sufficient space must be reserved at the observation port location to allow operators to clean the slag.”

Based on these conditions, HTEC-video’s engineers redesigned the solution.At the initial design stage, the conventional pneumatic retraction system was not adopted. The conventional retraction system is fixed to the furnace wall and pneumatically drives the probe into the furnace.

For this project, HTEC-video proposed a new solution by adopting a rail-mounted “moving trolley” system to replace the original retraction device. The total rail length is 5 meters, with a width of 0.39 meters, connected to the ground using I-beams. The core of the moving trolley is a motor-driven unit, with control data integrated into the electrical control cabinet. The monitoring device is mounted on the trolley, enabling the device to extend into and retract from the furnace.

Compared with the traditional fixed pneumatic retraction structure, the rail-mounted moving trolley solution provides greater on-site adaptability and an increased safety margin.

HTEC-video’s Technical Director stated:“The rail-mounted moving trolley structure adopted in this project is a customized solution designed for special operating conditions. HTEC-video still prioritizes the use of mature and reliable pneumatic retraction structures. This structure features compact installation and fast response, and is suitable for most furnace types where fixed installation conditions are available and the observation port can remain sealed during long-term operation. In the future, HTEC-video will continue to focus on high-temperature industrial furnace applications and, based on different operating conditions, provide more flexible, safe, and practically implementable furnace monitoring solutions.”