LP-LIBS™
Liquid Phase Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is a type of atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) that uses a high-energy laser pulse focused on the sample’s surface to generate a high temperature plasma.
The hot plasma emits a unique spectrum of discrete spectral lines. A sensor detects the atomic spectra emission of each element present and the intensities of spectral lines form the basis of the quantification of each element.
DTE’s proprietary and patent-pending LP-LIBS™ liquid phase enhancement of laser induced breakdown spectroscopy is a world-first solution to a decades-old technical challenge and is creating a new benchmark for aluminum process control.
LP-LIBS™️ technology is uniquely able to deliver reference grade elemental analysis direct from high temperature liquid metals in less than 60 seconds from sampling. It provides agreement to within 1-3% of the value measured by reference standard laboratory equipment, but with higher precision and even lower uncertainty for most elements.
Live elemental analysis from liquid metal
Unlike traditional methods such as spark-OES, LP-LIBS™ analysis technology is a non-destructive process and does not alter or perturb the metal surface allowing rapid multiple measurements in sequence on the same surface. It is ideal for continuous measurements and provides high resolution time-course of melting, alloying, volatile elements and other kinetics in the context of where the process occurs (e.g., a furnace).
Direct analysis of the liquid metal also provides an accurate representation of the bulk homogeneous aluminum melt, by avoiding segregation of materials as they cool in the solid samples.
Zero latency
process control
With LP-LIBS™ metal composition information is taken direct from the molten metal flowing through the process on the plant floor and is made available in real-time through DTE’s IREAS™ artificial intelligence and predictive process control solution.
LP-LIBS™ eliminates both the need to cast a solid sample and transfer the sample to a laboratory, decreasing information lag, increasing safety and operational efficiency, and preventing operator errors when handling and preparing solid samples.
DTE’s full robotic automation also reduce operator risk from exposure to liquid metal during sampling – almost one fifth of injuries are burns caused by contact with hot molten metal.
Critical insights transforming process control
For each client we construct a custom solution comprising a package of our EA-range of sensors which are available in a range of formats suitable for gathering live data from every point along the metal and end product manufacturing value chain.
Combining composition and trace impurity information from every point in the process, DTE’s IREAS™️ AI-cloud solution transforms these signals into high-value, predictive decision making insights towards greener, safer, more efficient and more valuable products.
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