China’s First Cesium-Based Molten Steel Level Meter

In the early 1990s, China’s steelmaking industry faced two major challenges.

First, automatic measurement equipment was almost entirely dependent on imports, resulting in high costs, low equipment utilization efficiency, and difficulties in long-term maintenance and support.

Second, the Japanese TV drama “Ketsui” (Blood Suspicion) became widely known in China, intensifying public concerns about cobalt-60 radiation sources. At that time, foreign molten steel level control systems used cobalt-60 as the radioactive source.

At that time, Hengyang Metallurgical Machinery General Factory, known as “Hengyang’s leading metallurgical equipment manufacturer,” was working to develop domestic molten steel level control technology.

With strong recommendations from Hengyang Metallurgical Machinery General Factory and Wuhan Iron & Steel Design Institute, RAMON began developing molten steel level control systems and carried out research projects at Anyang Iron & Steel Group, Laiwu Iron & Steel Group, and Jinan Iron & Steel Group.

Liu Zhi, then Deputy Chief Engineer of Hengyang Metallurgical Machinery General Factory, provided an imported cobalt-based level meter for RAMON’s study and research.

Experts including Zhang Hualian, Chief Designer of Wuhan Iron & Steel Research and Design Institute, also provided valuable suggestions and guidance for RAMON’s product design.

At that time, RAMON had only eight employees.

Inspired by the spirit of Deng Xiaoping’s Southern Tour, Chairman Tian Zhiheng, General Manager Tian Lu, Deputy General Manager Tian Li, Chief Engineer Zhou Yonghui, and four other colleagues founded RAMON.

The company’s first product — the Cesium-Based Molten Steel Level Meter — was born under these circumstances.

He did not simply replicate imported cobalt-based level meters. Instead, Professor Tian Zhiheng was the first to propose replacing cobalt-60 sources with cesium sources.

The amplifier adopted an independently developed four-stage amplification technology, while BGO crystals were used instead of traditional sodium iodide crystals, doubling the sensitivity compared with overseas products.

During the early development stage, the product went through a continuous process of improvement and refinement.

The initial design had several limitations, including a relatively large radioactive source, an externally mounted receiver, and fragile aluminum alloy connectors.

Based on feedback from customers’ operating sites, the R&D team continuously upgraded and improved the product.

At that time, production was carried out in a basement guesthouse in Beijing that cost only five yuan per night.

Starting from scratch, the RAMON team became highly versatile:

from crystal packaging and component procurement to circuit board soldering, product testing, and shipment, every step was completed personally by the team members.

A team of only three or four people could produce 10 molten steel level meters within one month.

In the beginning, RAMON’s product sales were limited.

In the early 1990s, more than 100 molten steel level control systems used in domestic continuous casting machines were all imported from overseas.

At that time, RAMON was still an unknown company:

with no significant capital, no dedicated production facilities, and no established market.

Instead of being intimidated by competition from numerous international corporations, RAMON employees chose perseverance and innovation.

After continuous efforts, RAMON’s cesium-based level meter finally received an opportunity for trial application at Anyang Iron & Steel Group.

It became the only automation equipment manufacturer to pass the on-site evaluation organized by the former Ministry of Metallurgical Industry.

RAMON successfully developed China’s own indigenous technology product — the Cesium-Based Molten Steel Level Meter.

Voices from Our Partners

Wang Ziliang

Chairman of Anyang Iron & Steel Group

At that time, Anyang Iron & Steel’s Demag continuous casting machines used cobalt-60 based molten steel level control systems.

Due to the high radiation intensity of cobalt-60, steel plant workers were concerned about radiation risks. Meanwhile, in the event of a breakout accident, the equipment could easily be damaged by molten steel, creating challenges for production management.

Professor Tian developed the cesium-based level meter, and Anyang Iron & Steel became RAMON’s first customer.

The former Ministry of Metallurgical Industry organized a dedicated on-site evaluation meeting for the cesium-based level meter.

I believe the cooperation between Anyang Iron & Steel and RAMON was a true win-win partnership and remains a valuable memory for both sides.