Preparation of samples in the
Steel Industry
Pedro Vellosillo
September 2015
One of the most important steps when
carrying out any type of analysis is the
Preparation of the Sample
At the moment of Preparing the Samples
the objective is to obtain an homogeneous
reduced sample from a bigger lot
1.- The quantity of the sample has to be enough as to be able to
carry out all the necessary analysis. The sample must be
homogeneous and representative.
2.- The sample has to be collected and kept very carefully to avoid
any changes or contamination.
3.- The sample will need to be milled and mixed until becoming a
very homogeneus powder, of the appropriate size for analysis.
Make sure to avoid any kind of contamination during the
process.
61% 27%
6%
6%
30%
19%
11%
9%
8%
7%
6%
6%4%
7
Sample preparation General aspects
• Sample taking (Sampling)
• Representative sampling of the product.
• Homogenisation
• Reduction of the size of the particles (crushing)
• Homogenisation
• Division of the sample
• Driying
• Removal of the moisture in the sample.
• Milling
• Finishing of the sample for analysis (200μm / 100μm/ ˃100μm).
8
Sample preparation General aspects
• Sample taking (Sampling)
Get a small quantity of material whose composition may represent exactly the one of the material
being sampled.
9
Sample preparation General aspects
• Homogenisation
Initial sample ( 100mm) Final sample (5mm)
Homogeniser Rifle divider
10
Sample preparation General aspects
• Drying
Removal of the moisture in the material to work with a sample that is:
• Dry
• Environmentally estable
11
Sample preparation General aspects
• Milling
Reduction of the size of the particles up to a granulometry appropriate for
analysis
The final size of the sample shall depend on the type of analysis to undertake
Usual sizes…..˃200µm ˃100µm ˃75μm
Up to 100μ
Up to 50 μ
Sieve unit
Samples for analysis
˃100µm
12
Sample preparation General aspects
• Analysis C/S – O/N – H – TGA – etc.
13
Sample preparation General aspects
• FRX Analysis
Preparation of samples as pellets for FXR
14
Sample preparation General aspects
• FRX Analysis
Preparation of samples as beads for FXR
15
Sample preparation General aspects
• ICP Analysis / Wet process
Preparation of samples by dissolution for ICP or Wet Process analysis
16
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• EQR-100 Mill
Method: friction, mixing and crushing
__________________________________________________________________
Application: Cement Industry, Metalurgical Industry, Thermal Station,
Environmental Laboratories, Recycling Plants, Geology and Mineralogy,
Ceramics.
__________________________________________________________________
Initial granulometry*: < 15mm
__________________________________________________________________
Final granulometry*: < 50 μm
__________________________________________________________________
Milling speed: Regulable / 1000/1500/2000rpm
__________________________________________________________________
Engine power: 750W
__________________________________________________________________
Power source: 2 x 220V
__________________________________________________________________
Milling jars: Acero 100ml
Steel 200ml
Tungsten Carbide 100ml
Tungsten Carbide 200ml
__________________________________________________________________
Dimensions: 104cm (high) x 80cm (width) x 60cm (depth)
Approximate weight: 250kg
Technical Specifications
17
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• EQR-100 Mill
The vibratory disc mill EQR-100 is a milling unit especially
designed to obtain analitical granulometries in a wide variety
of samples, such as glass, earths, slags, metallic oxides,
ferroalloys, cements, ceramic materials, amongst many
others.
It can crush in a very short timespam a vast range of
different materials, from semi-hard to the hardest, fragile or
fibrous.
Easy to handle, and made of sturdy components, this mill is
a unit practically maintenance free.
• Quick
• Simple
• Safe
• Silent
• 5 working programs
For speed and capacity, this is the most widely used type of mill in laboratories
18
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• Ball Mixer Mill EQM-400
Method: crushing, milling, friction, mixing and homogenisation
__________________________________________________________________
Applications: hard materials, semi-hard and fragile such as coal, coke, glass,
slags, minerlas, earths, ceramics, silicate, bones, plastics, wood, electronical
waste, cheqmical products, tobacco, cereals, etc.
Programs: five independent programs
Speed: 100 to 2000 stirs per minute
Time: 0 a 99 minutes
__________________________________________________________________
Power: 150W
_________________________________________________________________
Engine: 220V - 150W
_________________________________________________________________
Power source: 220V - 100W
_________________________________________________________________
Accessories: 50ml and 25ml jars
CW balls: Ø 10mm / Ø 15mm / Ø 20mm / Ø 25mm
__________________________________________________________________
Dimensions: 24cm (high) x 31,5cm (width) x 35cm (depth)
Approximate weight: 13kg
19
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• Ball Mixer Mill EQM-400
Specially designed for:
Reducing the size of small quantities of sample to ˃50µm.
Homogenisation and mixing of samples with binding agents
HOMOGENISATION
REDUCTION OF THE SIZE OF THE GRAIN
MILLING
CRUSHING
20
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• EQP-100 Press
Semi-automatic press for the preparation of
beads/pellets of hight quality for analysis in XRF, five
automatic programs simple or double cycle, allowing
the control of the pressure strentgh and time. Easy to
use, this is a robust and durable unit.
Technical Specifications:
Method: Pressure
___________________________________________________
Applications: Cement Industry, Metallurgical Industry,
Thermal Stations, Environmental Laboratories,
Reclycling Plants, Geology and Mineralogy, Ceramics.
___________________________________________________
Speed Control: Frequency Converter 0/200Hz
___________________________________________________
Diameter of the sample: 40mm (other diameters under
request)
___________________________________________________
Maximum Pressure: 40t
___________________________________________________
Power Engine: 750W
___________________________________________________
Power: 2 x 220V
___________________________________________________
Consumables: Aluminium cups 40mm diam
__________________________________________________
Dimensions: 40cm (high) x 51cm (width) x 42cm (depth)
Approximate Weight: 75kg
21
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• EQP-100 Press
Maximum pressure: 650 kg/cm2
Flow: 0,8 l/min
Die and punch in Tungsten
Carbide
22
Equilab units for the preparation of samples
• EQH-3.0 Furnace • Multi-EQP-100
More than a unit, the EQH-3.0 and the Multi-EQP-100 are tools for the preparation of samples
23
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• EQH-3.0 Furnace
Method: Heating by induction
___________________________________________
Applications: Steel Industry, Foundries
___________________________________________
Programs: five programs
___________________________________________
Time: adjustable / 0-100 seconds
___________________________________________
Maximum Power: 3KVA
___________________________________________
Power: 220V 50/60 Hz
___________________________________________
Induction Frequency: 120 kHz ... 150 kHz
___________________________________________
Safety: IP 40
___________________________________________
Cooling system: by closed internal circuit
___________________________________________
Dimensions: 40 (height) x 51 (width) x 42cm (depth)
Approximate weight: 12 kg
24
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• EQH-3.0 Furnace
Able to heat up a sample in seconds, for its subsequent
treatment (crushing, cutting or punching).
Adjustable heating up times from 0 to 100 seconds.
Cooling by internal water circuit (2 l.).
Specially designed for the obtention of samples for a
quick analysis of Carbon, Sulphur and Nitrogen contents
25
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• EQH-3.0 Furnace
Crushing for arc spectrometry
Preparation of pins for C/S N
26
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100
One single hydraulic control unit manages up to three working units of interchangeable tools
Automatic selection of module and tool from the working unit button
27
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100
28
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• Multi-EQP-100 Central unit
Have hydraulic control unit models …………
______________________________________________
Maximum flow …………………. 0,8L/min 1,2L/min
Maximum pressure…………….650K/cm2 450K/cm2
______________________________________________
Speed control: frequency converter 25/75Hz
______________________________________________
Engine power: 750W
_____________________________________________
Power: 2 x 220V 50/60 Hz
______________________________________________
Touchscreen 7”
______________________________________________
Dimensions
Control unit: 40cm (high) x 51cm (width) x 42cm (depth)
Control unit weight: 40kg
29
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Tools Specifications of the tools
Tool diameter ………….120mm
Maximum stroke …………….. 53mm
Pellet press tool
• Pressure control
• Time control
Maximum stroke: 53 mm
Diameter of the pellet:30 / 40 mm
Flow: 1,17 l/min
Maximum pressure: 450 Kg/cm2
Maximum strenght: 50 T
Crushing tool
• Pressure control
• Time control
Contact area: Ø 53 mm
Maximum strenght: 50 T
Punching tool
• Pressure control
Quantity of pins: 3
Pin diameter: 6 mm (other diameters
under request)
Maximum strenght: 25 T (limited
by software)
Cutting tool
• Pressure control
• Time control
Cutting diameter: bars up to Ø 30 mm
Maximum strenght: 50 T
30
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Standard tools
Punching Cutting Crushing Pressing
31
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Replacing the tools
Practical bayonet mount system allowing a
comfortable change of the chosen tool
• Quick
• Easy
32
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Software
A simple and intuitive software will let us manage all
the operations the unit is able to undertake
automatically
Control screen
This will allow us to define the
parameters for the different
functions:
Crushing
Pressing
Cutting
Punching
33
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Software
PRENSADO CORTE
25
10
Presión
Tiempo
A
We will define the tool in each working unit, the working pressure and the time for the pressure.
We can also define the stroke of the piston:
By pressure
By position
Each piston has got two detectors allowing us to control the stroke of the same.
We can also modify the parameters of each working unit directly on the screen and even select the
position detectors
34
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Software
Configuration screen.
This will let us define the general parameters of the
unit, such us:
Maximum upwards and downwards pressure
Speed in the movement up and down
Language (Spanish – English)
Pressure calibration
35
Equilab units for the preparation of samples in the Steel Industry
• MultiEQP-100 Software
Diagnosis screens:
These will let us manually manage all the working processes the unit can undertake

Steel sample preparation

  • 1.
    Preparation of samplesin the Steel Industry Pedro Vellosillo September 2015
  • 2.
    One of themost important steps when carrying out any type of analysis is the Preparation of the Sample
  • 3.
    At the momentof Preparing the Samples the objective is to obtain an homogeneous reduced sample from a bigger lot
  • 4.
    1.- The quantityof the sample has to be enough as to be able to carry out all the necessary analysis. The sample must be homogeneous and representative. 2.- The sample has to be collected and kept very carefully to avoid any changes or contamination. 3.- The sample will need to be milled and mixed until becoming a very homogeneus powder, of the appropriate size for analysis. Make sure to avoid any kind of contamination during the process.
  • 5.
  • 6.
  • 7.
    7 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Sample taking (Sampling) • Representative sampling of the product. • Homogenisation • Reduction of the size of the particles (crushing) • Homogenisation • Division of the sample • Driying • Removal of the moisture in the sample. • Milling • Finishing of the sample for analysis (200μm / 100μm/ ˃100μm).
  • 8.
    8 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Sample taking (Sampling) Get a small quantity of material whose composition may represent exactly the one of the material being sampled.
  • 9.
    9 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Homogenisation Initial sample ( 100mm) Final sample (5mm) Homogeniser Rifle divider
  • 10.
    10 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Drying Removal of the moisture in the material to work with a sample that is: • Dry • Environmentally estable
  • 11.
    11 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Milling Reduction of the size of the particles up to a granulometry appropriate for analysis The final size of the sample shall depend on the type of analysis to undertake Usual sizes…..˃200µm ˃100µm ˃75μm Up to 100μ Up to 50 μ Sieve unit Samples for analysis ˃100µm
  • 12.
    12 Sample preparation Generalaspects • Analysis C/S – O/N – H – TGA – etc.
  • 13.
    13 Sample preparation Generalaspects • FRX Analysis Preparation of samples as pellets for FXR
  • 14.
    14 Sample preparation Generalaspects • FRX Analysis Preparation of samples as beads for FXR
  • 15.
    15 Sample preparation Generalaspects • ICP Analysis / Wet process Preparation of samples by dissolution for ICP or Wet Process analysis
  • 16.
    16 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • EQR-100 Mill Method: friction, mixing and crushing __________________________________________________________________ Application: Cement Industry, Metalurgical Industry, Thermal Station, Environmental Laboratories, Recycling Plants, Geology and Mineralogy, Ceramics. __________________________________________________________________ Initial granulometry*: < 15mm __________________________________________________________________ Final granulometry*: < 50 μm __________________________________________________________________ Milling speed: Regulable / 1000/1500/2000rpm __________________________________________________________________ Engine power: 750W __________________________________________________________________ Power source: 2 x 220V __________________________________________________________________ Milling jars: Acero 100ml Steel 200ml Tungsten Carbide 100ml Tungsten Carbide 200ml __________________________________________________________________ Dimensions: 104cm (high) x 80cm (width) x 60cm (depth) Approximate weight: 250kg Technical Specifications
  • 17.
    17 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • EQR-100 Mill The vibratory disc mill EQR-100 is a milling unit especially designed to obtain analitical granulometries in a wide variety of samples, such as glass, earths, slags, metallic oxides, ferroalloys, cements, ceramic materials, amongst many others. It can crush in a very short timespam a vast range of different materials, from semi-hard to the hardest, fragile or fibrous. Easy to handle, and made of sturdy components, this mill is a unit practically maintenance free. • Quick • Simple • Safe • Silent • 5 working programs For speed and capacity, this is the most widely used type of mill in laboratories
  • 18.
    18 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • Ball Mixer Mill EQM-400 Method: crushing, milling, friction, mixing and homogenisation __________________________________________________________________ Applications: hard materials, semi-hard and fragile such as coal, coke, glass, slags, minerlas, earths, ceramics, silicate, bones, plastics, wood, electronical waste, cheqmical products, tobacco, cereals, etc. Programs: five independent programs Speed: 100 to 2000 stirs per minute Time: 0 a 99 minutes __________________________________________________________________ Power: 150W _________________________________________________________________ Engine: 220V - 150W _________________________________________________________________ Power source: 220V - 100W _________________________________________________________________ Accessories: 50ml and 25ml jars CW balls: Ø 10mm / Ø 15mm / Ø 20mm / Ø 25mm __________________________________________________________________ Dimensions: 24cm (high) x 31,5cm (width) x 35cm (depth) Approximate weight: 13kg
  • 19.
    19 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • Ball Mixer Mill EQM-400 Specially designed for: Reducing the size of small quantities of sample to ˃50µm. Homogenisation and mixing of samples with binding agents HOMOGENISATION REDUCTION OF THE SIZE OF THE GRAIN MILLING CRUSHING
  • 20.
    20 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • EQP-100 Press Semi-automatic press for the preparation of beads/pellets of hight quality for analysis in XRF, five automatic programs simple or double cycle, allowing the control of the pressure strentgh and time. Easy to use, this is a robust and durable unit. Technical Specifications: Method: Pressure ___________________________________________________ Applications: Cement Industry, Metallurgical Industry, Thermal Stations, Environmental Laboratories, Reclycling Plants, Geology and Mineralogy, Ceramics. ___________________________________________________ Speed Control: Frequency Converter 0/200Hz ___________________________________________________ Diameter of the sample: 40mm (other diameters under request) ___________________________________________________ Maximum Pressure: 40t ___________________________________________________ Power Engine: 750W ___________________________________________________ Power: 2 x 220V ___________________________________________________ Consumables: Aluminium cups 40mm diam __________________________________________________ Dimensions: 40cm (high) x 51cm (width) x 42cm (depth) Approximate Weight: 75kg
  • 21.
    21 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • EQP-100 Press Maximum pressure: 650 kg/cm2 Flow: 0,8 l/min Die and punch in Tungsten Carbide
  • 22.
    22 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples • EQH-3.0 Furnace • Multi-EQP-100 More than a unit, the EQH-3.0 and the Multi-EQP-100 are tools for the preparation of samples
  • 23.
    23 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • EQH-3.0 Furnace Method: Heating by induction ___________________________________________ Applications: Steel Industry, Foundries ___________________________________________ Programs: five programs ___________________________________________ Time: adjustable / 0-100 seconds ___________________________________________ Maximum Power: 3KVA ___________________________________________ Power: 220V 50/60 Hz ___________________________________________ Induction Frequency: 120 kHz ... 150 kHz ___________________________________________ Safety: IP 40 ___________________________________________ Cooling system: by closed internal circuit ___________________________________________ Dimensions: 40 (height) x 51 (width) x 42cm (depth) Approximate weight: 12 kg
  • 24.
    24 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • EQH-3.0 Furnace Able to heat up a sample in seconds, for its subsequent treatment (crushing, cutting or punching). Adjustable heating up times from 0 to 100 seconds. Cooling by internal water circuit (2 l.). Specially designed for the obtention of samples for a quick analysis of Carbon, Sulphur and Nitrogen contents
  • 25.
    25 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • EQH-3.0 Furnace Crushing for arc spectrometry Preparation of pins for C/S N
  • 26.
    26 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 One single hydraulic control unit manages up to three working units of interchangeable tools Automatic selection of module and tool from the working unit button
  • 27.
    27 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100
  • 28.
    28 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • Multi-EQP-100 Central unit Have hydraulic control unit models ………… ______________________________________________ Maximum flow …………………. 0,8L/min 1,2L/min Maximum pressure…………….650K/cm2 450K/cm2 ______________________________________________ Speed control: frequency converter 25/75Hz ______________________________________________ Engine power: 750W _____________________________________________ Power: 2 x 220V 50/60 Hz ______________________________________________ Touchscreen 7” ______________________________________________ Dimensions Control unit: 40cm (high) x 51cm (width) x 42cm (depth) Control unit weight: 40kg
  • 29.
    29 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Tools Specifications of the tools Tool diameter ………….120mm Maximum stroke …………….. 53mm Pellet press tool • Pressure control • Time control Maximum stroke: 53 mm Diameter of the pellet:30 / 40 mm Flow: 1,17 l/min Maximum pressure: 450 Kg/cm2 Maximum strenght: 50 T Crushing tool • Pressure control • Time control Contact area: Ø 53 mm Maximum strenght: 50 T Punching tool • Pressure control Quantity of pins: 3 Pin diameter: 6 mm (other diameters under request) Maximum strenght: 25 T (limited by software) Cutting tool • Pressure control • Time control Cutting diameter: bars up to Ø 30 mm Maximum strenght: 50 T
  • 30.
    30 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Standard tools Punching Cutting Crushing Pressing
  • 31.
    31 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Replacing the tools Practical bayonet mount system allowing a comfortable change of the chosen tool • Quick • Easy
  • 32.
    32 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Software A simple and intuitive software will let us manage all the operations the unit is able to undertake automatically Control screen This will allow us to define the parameters for the different functions: Crushing Pressing Cutting Punching
  • 33.
    33 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Software PRENSADO CORTE 25 10 Presión Tiempo A We will define the tool in each working unit, the working pressure and the time for the pressure. We can also define the stroke of the piston: By pressure By position Each piston has got two detectors allowing us to control the stroke of the same. We can also modify the parameters of each working unit directly on the screen and even select the position detectors
  • 34.
    34 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Software Configuration screen. This will let us define the general parameters of the unit, such us: Maximum upwards and downwards pressure Speed in the movement up and down Language (Spanish – English) Pressure calibration
  • 35.
    35 Equilab units forthe preparation of samples in the Steel Industry • MultiEQP-100 Software Diagnosis screens: These will let us manually manage all the working processes the unit can undertake