IDENTIFICATION TAG FOR ATTACHMENT TO A METALLURGICAL VESSEL, READING STATION AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING A WEAR STATUS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION TAG

A metallurgical vessel (2) having an outer surface (2a) and an identification tag (1, 1′, 1″) on the outer surface (2a). The tag has a carrier matrix (11) formed of an electrically and thermally insulating material. At least two passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) are embedded in the carrier matrix (11). Within a metallurgical plant, a reading station (4) for tracking the path of the metallurgical vessel (2) is arranged at a tracking position. An antenna (5) of the reading station (4) initiates activation of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b), provided that the metallurgical vessel (2) is in a sensing range of the reading station (4). A reading unit (6) of the reading station (4) reads out the activated passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) and transmits the result to an evaluating unit (7) of the reading station (4). The evaluating unit (7) determines which and/or how many of the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) were actually activated. The evaluating unit (7) thereafter associates a wear state with all the passive transponders (3, 3a, 3b) of the metallurgical vessel (2) as a whole.