ELECTROCHEMICAL MEASUREMENT OF OXYGEN ACTIVITY IN COPPER MELTS - SOURCES OF ERROR AND PROBLEMS

Theoretical and experimental investigations into the structure and behaviour of a solid electrolyte sensor to measure the oxygen activity in copper melts have been carried out. A cell potential equation based on pure ionic conductivity of the solid electrolyte material is proposed. The influence of additional elements in the melt on the oxygen activity is investigated. Furthermore, long-time behaviour of solid electrolyte material against the ceramic mortar and the copper melt is dealt with. Possible sources of error during the measurements are pointed out, investigated and discussed. The measurements of oxygen activities in copper melts have been carried out under both laboratory and industrial conditions. The results obtained showed that the sensor developed proved suitable for the continuous measurement of the oxygen activity in copper melts.