Breakdowns in a steel plant do not always start at the furnace. Many production stops are triggered by something simpler, such as reduced cooling water flow, an overheating bearing, or hydraulic oil that keeps getting hotter until a seal leaks. Problems like these almost always show up first as a change in temperature.
Most hot equipment in a steel plant relies on cooling water, from blast furnace staves and EAF wall panels and roof to continuous casting molds and rolls in the hot rolling area. The most practical way to monitor it is to install sensors on the inlet and outlet and watch the difference. A widening difference means the equipment is taking more heat than usual or the water flow has dropped, and both need checking before the equipment is damaged.
Cooling water temperature is not high, but a change of just a few degrees already matters. For this kind of application, an RTD Pt100 is a better fit than a thermocouple because its readings are more precise and stay stable over long-term use.
In the rolling mill, gearboxes, roll bearings, and large motors run continuously under heavy load. Their lubricating oil has to stay within a certain temperature so its viscosity is right. Oil that runs too hot thins out and the lubricating film gets weaker, while oil that is too cold circulates poorly at start-up. Sensors in the oil tank and supply line show the general condition of the system, while sensors near the bearing housings help pinpoint where friction is starting to build up.
Hydraulic systems in a steel plant drive many mechanisms, from EAF electrode lifting and furnace doors to roll gap adjustment in the mill. Hydraulic oil that regularly runs above about 60 °C oxidizes faster and hardens the seals. A sensor on the tank or return line, connected to the panel, can switch on the oil cooler automatically and raise an alarm when the temperature goes past its limit.
Measuring points for these supporting systems are usually spread across the plant, often hundreds of meters from the control room. A temperature transmitter with a 4–20 mA output keeps the signal accurate over cable runs that long and resists interference from nearby electrical equipment. The standard signal can also be read directly by a PLC, DCS, or SCADA.
To make sure the sensor you order fits on arrival, prepare the operating temperature range, media type, pipe or tank size, process connection type, and probe length. Note the conditions around the mounting point as well, such as vibration from nearby machines or radiant heat exposure, since these affect the sensor construction and the protection it needs.
CV. Rach Tekindo Makmur supplies Temperature Sensors & Temperature Transmitters for a wide range of industrial instrumentation needs. If you need sensors, transmitters, or consultation on configuration and installation for your temperature system, contact us on WhatsApp at 0877-8620-5656 to discuss your technical requirements and request a quotation tailored to your application.
