Method, monitoring device, rolling mill and use

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for monitoring a quality of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit (12) of a rolling mill (10) by means of a monitoring device (13) of the rolling mill, to a monitoring device for a rolling mill, to a rolling mill having a fluid circuit and a monitoring device, and to a use of a monitoring device, wherein at least one physical and / or chemical variable describing the quality is measured by means of a measuring device (14) of the monitoring device.

Description

[0001] December 4, 2025

[0002] Achenbach Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG SI / ABB-102-WO

[0003] 57223 Kreuztal Scu / Bmu

[0004] Method, monitoring device, rolling mill and use

[0005] The invention relates to a method for monitoring the properties of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill, by means of a monitoring device. The invention further relates to a monitoring device for a rolling mill for monitoring the properties of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of the rolling mill. The invention further relates to a rolling mill comprising a fluid circuit for conveying a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, and a monitoring device. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a monitoring device for monitoring the properties of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill.

[0006] When rolling a strip-shaped material, preferably a metal, particularly a non-ferrous metal, using a rolling stand of a rolling mill, a rolling fluid, particularly rolling oil, is used to cool and / or lubricate the rolling stand. This fluid is circulated through a fluid circuit of the rolling mill to reduce consumption. The rolling fluid contains a base fluid, particularly a base oil, to which various additives are mixed to achieve desired properties of the rolling fluid, especially with regard to influencing friction behavior in a rolling process, pressure stability, oxidation resistance, and / or aging resistance.During use, the concentration of additives in the rolling fluid decreases, particularly due to mechanical, chemical, and physical processes, which are especially related to the aging of the rolling fluid, thus altering its properties. Furthermore, undesirable foreign substances can be introduced into the rolling fluid during the rolling process. Since the properties of the rolling fluid, which are determined primarily by the concentration of additives and, where applicable, by the concentration of foreign substances, influence the quality of the rolled strip material, there is a need to monitor its properties.

[0007] In practice, when monitoring the quality of rolling mill fluid conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill, a mill operator periodically takes a sample from the fluid circuit. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis, where the concentrations of additives contained in the fluid are measured. It typically takes several days for the operator to receive the measurement results. Based on these results, the operator may then manually calculate the quantities of additives whose concentrations fall below the target concentrations. These additives must be added to the rolling mill fluid to restore the target concentrations, and the corresponding quantities are then added. Thus, monitoring the quality of the rolling mill fluid also results in a conditioning of the fluid.Due to a comparatively large time difference between sample collection, sample analysis, and conditioning of the rolling fluid, significant inaccuracies arise. These inaccuracies result from the fact that the respective concentrations of additives at the time of sample collection do not correspond to the respective concentrations of additives at the time of conditioning the rolling fluid. Therefore, this method does not allow for precise monitoring of the material's properties, which manifests as a deterioration, and in particular, inconsistent quality of the rolled strip material.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of proposing a method, a monitoring device, a rolling mill and a use which enables the provision of a rolled strip-shaped material with an improved, in particular constant, quality.

[0009] This problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 1, a monitoring device having the features of claim 6, a rolling mill having the features of claim 9 and a use having the features of claim 10.

[0010] In the inventive method for monitoring the properties of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill, by means of a monitoring device of the rolling mill, at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the properties is measured by means of a measuring device of the monitoring device.

[0011] Accordingly, the rolling mill is equipped with a monitoring device. The measurement of at least one physical and / or chemical parameter describing the properties of the rolling mill can therefore be carried out directly at the mill, thus eliminating the need to send a sample taken from the fluid circuit to a laboratory for analysis, with all the associated disadvantages. The measurement, particularly in real time, can be performed as an automated inline measurement during operation of the rolling mill or a rolling stand within the mill. This allows for the immediate acquisition of a current measurement result, enabling the rapid detection of any undesirable properties of the rolling fluid and, if necessary, the implementation of appropriate measures, especially conditioning of the rolling fluid, to restore the desired properties.Since the size measurement can be performed directly at the rolling mill, the measurement time and the conditioning time of the rolling fluid can practically coincide, resulting in precise monitoring of the material's properties. This method, which enables precise monitoring of the material's properties, therefore allows for the production of rolled strip material with improved, and in particular, consistent quality.

[0012] The rolling mill can comprise a rolling stand for rolling a strip-shaped material, preferably a metal, particularly a non-ferrous metal. The rolling fluid can be used for cooling and / or lubricating the rolling stand. The rolling fluid can be supplied to the rolling stand, used there for cooling and / or lubricating the rolling stand, and subsequently discharged from the rolling stand. The discharged rolling fluid can be passed through the monitoring device and subsequently returned to the rolling stand.

[0013] The monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, can be integrated into the fluid circuit.

[0014] The rolling mill stand can be integrated into the fluid circuit.

[0015] The fluid circuit can include a conveying line for the rolling fluid. The monitoring device can be integrated into the fluid circuit by arranging the monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, within the conveying line. In this case, the monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, can then be permeable to a main flow of the rolling fluid. The measurement can then be taken on the main flow. Alternatively, the monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, can be integrated into the fluid circuit by arranging it, in particular the measuring device, in a bypass line of the fluid circuit, parallel to the conveying line. In this case, the monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, can then be permeable to a secondary flow of the rolling fluid. The measurement can then be taken on the secondary flow.A sample of the rolling fluid can be taken by means of the monitoring device, in particular the measuring device, which is arranged in the bypass line, especially parallel to the conveying line. The measurement can then be carried out on the sample. After the measurement, the sample can be conveyed back into the conveying line or alternatively disposed of. The rolling stand can be integrated into the fluid circuit by arranging the rolling stand in the conveying line.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the rolling fluid can contain a base fluid, in particular a base oil, and at least one additive, wherein the quantity to be measured is the concentration of the additive and / or the rate of change of the additive concentration. The rate of change of the additive concentration can be measured by at least two successive measurements of the additive concentration. Undesirable properties can be predicted based on the measurement of the rate of change of the additive concentration.

[0017] This parameter can describe or relate to the degradation of rolling fluid, in particular the degradation of rolling oil, in particular the degradation of base fluid, in particular the degradation of base oil, in particular oxidation, nitration and / or sulfation, and / or additive degradation. Furthermore, the parameter can be the pH value of the rolling fluid and / or its viscosity.

[0018] The rolling fluid can contain a variety of additives. In particular, the rolling fluid can contain antioxidants, metal passivators, conductivity enhancers, anti-wear additives, filter aids (especially flocculants), and / or friction modifiers. The addition of these additives allows for the adjustment of desired properties of the rolling fluid, especially with regard to influencing friction behavior in a rolling process, pressure stability, oxidation resistance, and / or aging resistance.

[0019] Furthermore, the measuring device can detect the presence of at least one foreign substance in the rolling fluid and, if necessary, measure the concentration of that foreign substance. The foreign substance can be a solid, in particular dirt or abrasion particles, or a liquid, in particular water or a foreign oil. The measuring device can also be used to measure the rate of change of the foreign substance's concentration.

[0020] All of the above sizes can be measured individually or in any selection.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the measured concentration of the additive can be compared with a target concentration of the additive. The target concentration can be a setpoint or a target range. The monitoring device can include a processing unit for performing the comparison. Furthermore, the measured concentration of the foreign substance can be compared with a critical concentration of the foreign substance. The critical concentration can be a critical value or a critical range. The comparison can be performed using the processing unit.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, if the measured concentration of the additive deviates downwards from the target concentration, i.e., falls below the target concentration, the additive can be added to the rolling fluid. During use of the rolling fluid, the concentration of the additive can decrease, particularly as a result of mechanical, chemical, and physical processes, especially those related to the aging of the rolling fluid. This decrease in the additive concentration can be compensated for by adding more additive. The monitoring device can include a dosing unit for carrying out this addition. Furthermore, if the measured concentration of the foreign substance deviates upwards from the critical concentration, i.e., exceeds the critical concentration, the foreign substance can be at least partially removed from the rolling fluid.The monitoring device may include a filtering device for carrying out at least partial removal.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the additive can be re-dosed depending on the deviation of the measured additive concentration from the target concentration, such that the additive concentration is essentially raised to the target concentration as a result of the re-dosing. The amount of additive that must be re-dosed into the rolling fluid to restore the target concentration can be calculated, and this amount can then be subsequently added to the rolling fluid. The calculation can be performed using the processing equipment.The measurement of the additive concentration, the comparison of the measured concentration with the target concentration, and, if the measured concentration deviates downwards from the target concentration, the addition of more additive depending on the deviation, such that the additive concentration is essentially raised to the target concentration as a result of the additional addition, can be carried out continuously. This makes it possible to establish an automated control loop in which the additive is added to the rolling fluid in such a way that the additive concentration is subject to relatively small fluctuations.In other words, the additive can be re-dosed according to a deviation of the measured additive concentration from the target concentration, such that the additive concentration is essentially maintained at the target concentration as a result of the re-dosing. The processing equipment can control the dosing unit based on the measured concentration in such a way that the additive concentration is adjusted to the target concentration. Furthermore, the at least partial removal of the foreign substance can be carried out depending on the deviation of the measured foreign substance concentration from the critical foreign substance concentration, such that the foreign substance concentration is reduced to at least the critical concentration, preferably below the critical concentration, as a result of the at least partial removal.

[0024] Further advantageous embodiments of the method result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to device claim 6.

[0025] The monitoring device according to the invention for a rolling mill for monitoring the quality of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill, comprises a measuring device for measuring at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the quality.

[0026] For the advantageous effects of the monitoring device according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the method according to the invention.

[0027] Further advantageous embodiments of the monitoring device result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating back to method claim 1.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the monitoring device can include a dosing unit for adding an additive contained in the rolling fluid to the rolling fluid. The dosing unit can include a reservoir for storing the additive and, optionally, a metering pump for conveying the additive from the reservoir into the fluid circuit. The rolling fluid can be conveyed in one direction within the fluid circuit. Viewed in the conveying direction, the dosing unit can be located downstream of the measuring device. Alternatively, viewed in the conveying direction, the dosing unit can also be located upstream of the measuring device. Furthermore, the monitoring device can include a filter unit for at least partially removing foreign substances contained in the rolling fluid.The filter device can be positioned upstream of the measuring device and the dosing device, downstream of the measuring device and the dosing device, or between the measuring device and the dosing device, when viewed in the direction of conveyance.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the measuring device can comprise a spectroscope or a spectrometer. The spectroscope or spectrometer can include a transmitter unit for emitting electromagnetic radiation onto the rolling fluid, in particular a sample of the rolling fluid, and a detector unit for detecting the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by the rolling fluid, in particular the sample, and / or reflected by the rolling fluid, in particular the sample. The rolling fluid is formed from molecules at the microscopic level. Each molecule absorbs electromagnetic radiation of a specific wavelength. The strength of the absorption is a measure of the concentration of the respective molecule. During the aging of the rolling fluid, degradation and remodeling processes can occur at the molecular level. These processes can include a decrease in the concentration of the additive and a degradation of the base fluid.The concentration of molecules from which the additive or foreign substance is formed at the microscopic level, and thus the concentration of the additive or foreign substance, can be measured based on the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by and / or reflected from the rolling fluid, particularly the sample. The concentration of the additive can also be measured by measuring the concentration of degradation products formed during the degradation of the additive. The electromagnetic radiation can be, for example, infrared or ultraviolet radiation. Furthermore, the spectroscope or spectrometer can include a spectral apparatus for the spectral decomposition or spectral resolution of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted by and / or reflected from the rolling fluid, particularly the sample. The detector can be located downstream of the spectral apparatus.Furthermore, the spectroscope or spectrometer can include a measuring chamber into or through which the sample can be passed, and which can then be exposed to electromagnetic radiation. The spectrometer can be a Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer. Additionally, the spectroscope or spectrometer can include an ATR element.

[0030] The rolling mill according to the invention comprises a fluid circuit for conveying a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, and a monitoring device according to the invention.

[0031] For the advantageous effects of the rolling mill according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the method according to the invention.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments of the rolling mill result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to method claim 1 and apparatus claim 6.

[0033] According to the invention, a monitoring device is used to monitor the properties of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit of a rolling mill, wherein the monitoring device comprises a measuring device for measuring at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the properties.

[0034] For the advantageous effects of the use according to the invention, reference is made to the description of advantages of the method according to the invention.

[0035] Further advantageous embodiments of the use result from the feature descriptions of the dependent claims relating to method claim 1 and apparatus claim 6.

[0036] A preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing.

[0037] The figure schematically shows a rolling mill 10, which comprises a rolling stand 11 for rolling a strip-shaped material, preferably a metal, in particular a non-ferrous metal, a fluid circuit 12 for conveying a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, wherein the rolling fluid contains a base fluid and additives, and a monitoring device 13 for monitoring the properties of the rolling fluid. The rolling stand 11 and the monitoring device 13 are integrated into the fluid circuit 12. The rolling fluid is used for cooling and / or lubricating the rolling stand 11. The rolling fluid is fed to the rolling stand 11, used there for cooling and / or lubricating the rolling stand 11, and subsequently discharged from the rolling stand 11. The discharged rolling fluid is passed through the monitoring device 13 and subsequently fed back to the rolling stand 11. The monitoring device 13 includes a measuring device 14 for measuring the concentrations of the additives.By means of a processing unit of the monitoring device 13 (not shown here), the respective measured concentrations of the additives are compared with the respective target concentrations of the additives. If the respective measured concentrations of the additives deviate downwards from the respective target concentrations of the additives, the relevant additives are added to the rolling fluid by means of a metering device 15 of the monitoring device 13. The addition of the relevant additives is preferably controlled depending on the deviation of the respective measured concentrations of the additives from the respective target concentrations of the additives, such that the respective concentrations of the additives are raised to the respective target concentrations of the additives as a result of the addition of the relevant additives, and preferably maintained at the respective target concentrations.The measuring device 14 includes a spectroscope or spectrometer (not shown here). The fluid circuit 12 comprises a conveying line 16 for conveying the rolling fluid. The rolling fluid is conveyed in a conveying direction 17 within the fluid circuit 12. Viewed in the conveying direction 17, the metering device 15 is located downstream of the measuring device 14. Furthermore, the monitoring device 13 may include a filter device for at least partially removing foreign substances contained in the rolling fluid.

Claims

December 4, 2025 Achenbach Buschhütten GmbH & Co. KG SI / ABB-102-WO 57223 Kreuztal Scu / Bmu Patent claims 1. Method for monitoring the quality of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit (12) of a rolling mill (10) by means of a monitoring device (13) of the rolling mill, wherein at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the quality is measured by means of a measuring device (14) of the monitoring device.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the rolling fluid contains a base fluid, in particular base oil, and at least one additive, wherein the quantity is measured as a concentration of the additive and / or a rate of change of the concentration of the additive.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the measured concentration of the additive is compared with a target concentration of the additive.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that, if the measured concentration of the additive deviates downwards from the target concentration of the additive, the additive is added to the rolling fluid.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the re-dosing of the additive is carried out depending on the deviation of the measured concentration of the additive from the target concentration of the additive, such that the concentration of the additive is raised substantially to the target concentration of the additive as a result of the re-dosing of the additive.

6. Monitoring device (13) for a rolling mill (10) for monitoring the quality of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit (12) of the rolling mill, wherein the monitoring device comprises a measuring device (14) for measuring at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the quality.

7. Monitoring device according to claim 6, characterized in that the monitoring device (13) comprises a metering device (15) for adding an additive contained in the rolling fluid to the rolling fluid.

8. Monitoring device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the measuring device (14) comprises a spectroscope or a spectrometer.

9. Rolling mill (10) comprising a fluid circuit (12) for conveying a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, and a monitoring device (13) according to one of claims 6 to 8.

10. Use of a monitoring device ( 13) for monitoring the quality of a rolling fluid, in particular rolling oil, conveyed in a fluid circuit ( 12) of a rolling mill ( 10), wherein the monitoring device comprises a measuring device ( 14) for measuring at least one physical and / or chemical quantity describing the quality.

Images