Continuous flow cooling device

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous flow cooling device (4) for cooling a metal strip (2), comprising at least one strip cooler (7) which has a plurality of lower discharge elements (9) for a gaseous fluid, said lower discharge elements being distributed along the direction (8) of passage of the metal strip (2), and a plurality of upper discharge elements (10) for a gaseous fluid, said upper discharge elements being distributed along the direction (8) of passage of the metal strip (2); and a plurality of liquid cooling units (12), by means of which a cooling liquid can be supplied to the metal strip (2), wherein at least one transport device (14) with at least one transport element (15) for transporting the metal strip (2) is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements (9, 10).

Description

[0001] CONTINUOUS FLOW COOLING DEVICE

[0002] The invention relates to a continuous cooling device for cooling a metal strip, comprising at least one strip cooler having a plurality of lower discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along a direction of travel of the strip and a plurality of upper discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along the direction of travel of the strip, and comprising a plurality of liquid cooling units with which the metal strip can be supplied with a cooling liquid.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a plant for the heat treatment of a metal strip with at least one strip casting device in which the metal strip is produced from a melt, and optionally with at least one heat treatment device in which the metal strip is heated or through which the metal strip passes in a heated state, and at least one continuous cooling device.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method for cooling a metal strip in a continuous cooling device, at least one strip cooler which has a plurality of lower discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along a direction of travel of the strip and a plurality of upper discharge elements for a gaseous fluid distributed along the direction of travel of the strip, and which has a plurality of liquid cooling units with which the metal strip can be subjected to a cooling liquid, wherein the metal strip is exposed to a gaseous fluid, which is directed from the upper and lower discharge elements in the direction of the metal strip, and to a cooling liquid, which is applied to the metal strip emerging from the liquid cooling units, for cooling.

[0005] Continuous cooling devices of the design mentioned above are already known from the prior art. For example, DE 10 2016 102 093 B3 describes a continuous cooling device for cooling a metal strip, comprising at least one strip flotation cooler having a plurality of upper nozzles distributed along the strip travel direction and a plurality of lower nozzles distributed along the strip travel direction, wherein the metal strip can be transported in a suspended manner between the upper nozzles and the lower nozzles, and both the upper and lower sides of the strip can be exposed to cooling air, and comprising a plurality of water cooling units, with which the metal strip can be exposed to cooling water, and which are integrated into the strip flotation cooler by arranging at least one water cooling unit in a plurality of intermediate regions between each two lower nozzles or upper nozzles arranged directly one behind the other in the strip travel direction.

[0006] WO 2018 / 162474 A1 describes a belt levitation system for levitating a belt-shaped material, comprising a first nozzle system and a second nozzle system, wherein the first nozzle system is arranged relative to the second nozzle system such that the belt-shaped material can be guided between the first nozzle system and the second nozzle system. The nozzle systems comprise a nozzle body which, along a conveying direction of the belt-shaped material, has a front edge region and a rear edge region located opposite thereto, a front gas nozzle arrangement arranged at the front edge region such that a front gas jet can flow in the direction of the belt travel plane to form a levitation nozzle field for the belt-shaped material, a rear gas nozzle arrangement arranged at the rear edge region such thatthat a rear gas jet can flow in the direction of the belt travel plane to form the floating nozzle field for the belt-shaped material, a nozzle arrangement which is arranged in the conveying direction in front of the front gas nozzle arrangement and / or behind the rear gas nozzle arrangement, wherein the nozzle arrangement is arranged such that a liquid fluid can flow in a fluid jet into the floating nozzle field in the direction of the belt travel plane to temper the belt-shaped material.,

[0007] The present invention is based on the object of improving the handling of a metal strip in a warm or hot state.

[0008] The object of the invention is achieved with the initially mentioned continuous cooling, in which at least one transport device with at least one transport element for (temporary) transport of the metal strip is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements.

[0009] Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved with the system mentioned at the outset, which has the continuous cooling device according to the invention.

[0010] In addition, the object is achieved with the method mentioned at the outset, according to which it is provided that a free initial section of the metal strip is placed on a transport element of a transport device which is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements, and is conveyed with the transport element through the continuous cooling device, that with or after leaving the free initial section the conveyed quantity of gaseous fluid is increased so that the metal strip is brought into a suspended state within the continuous cooling device.

[0011] The advantage here is that the transport system can improve the strip entry into the continuous cooling device. In particular, it makes it possible to achieve a stable state in the strip and the process more reliably and quickly, since the levitation of the metal strip is only activated once the free end section has already left the continuous cooling device. The contact-based transport of the free initial section of the metal strip makes it possible to reduce the tensile stress present at this section in the warm or hot state, thus minimizing its effects on the metal strip.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, the transport device can be provided with several transport modules arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel of the belt. The modular design of the transport device makes it easier to adapt to different continuous cooling devices.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the transport modules can each have at least one transport element, which can improve the adaptability of the transport system and thus generally also of the continuous cooling device to the progress of the metal strip treatment. In particular, this makes it easier to switch to suspended transport of the metal strip at an early stage in certain areas of the continuous cooling device. Furthermore, it is possible to provide different transport elements or generally different transport modules in the continuous cooling device, adapted to the progress of the cooling of the metal strip or to the temperature of the metal strip during cooling.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport element can be formed by ropes or belts or a mesh fabric or a perforated conveyor belt, thus allowing the gaseous fluid and / or the cooling fluid to flow through the transport element, so that the transport element can remain in the area between the upper and lower discharge elements for the gaseous fluid. This also makes it possible for the transport device to be ready for use again more quickly if necessary. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the transport element can be arranged circumferentially on rollers or cylinders in order to be able to influence the temperature load of the transport element via heat dissipation by means of the rollers or cylinders. If necessary, the rollers or cylinders can be designed to be cooled.

[0015] According to a variant embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the rollers or cylinders have a coating by means of which the force transmission from the rollers or cylinders to the transport element or elements can be better defined.

[0016] According to another embodiment, to simplify the transition from the contacted to the contactless transport state of the metal strip, at least the transport element of the transport device can be height-adjustable. This height adjustability allows the transport element to be lowered during the formation of the floating state of the metal strip. This also allows for an earlier adjustment to an intended form of floating of the metal strip, such as a flat, sinusoidal, or undulating floating of the metal strip.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the transport modules are height-adjustable independently of one another, whereby the lowering can be carried out only in sections or in stages, etc., if necessary.

[0018] For the same purpose, according to another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the transport elements of the transport modules are height-adjustable independently of one another.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the liquid cooling units can be arranged between discharge elements for a gaseous fluid, allowing cooling liquid to be blown off the metal strip along with the gaseous fluid. This creates an improved cooling line across the width of the strip and enables targeted fluid removal from the strip surface.

[0020] Due to the improved adaptability to different continuous cooling devices, it is advantageous if, according to a further embodiment of the invention, liquid cooling units are arranged within the transport modules. According to one embodiment of the system, the continuous cooling device can be arranged directly adjacent to the strip casting device. This can provide a relatively large cooling gradient window for gas cooling or gas-liquid cooling, allowing the system to process a wide variety of metals. Furthermore, the continuous cooling device enables contactless transport of the metal strip after the strip run-in phase, thus ensuring a damage-free surface of the metal strip.

[0021] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0022] They show in a simplified, schematic representation:

[0023] Fig. 1 shows a section of a plant for producing a metal strip;

[0024] Fig. 2 a continuous cooling device;

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a section of a variant of a transport element in plan view;

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a section of another embodiment of a transport element in plan view;

[0027] Fig. 5 shows a variant of a transport device.

[0028] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the position information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these position information must be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0029] Fig. 1 schematically shows a section of a plant 1 for producing a metal strip 2. The metal strip 2 consists in particular of a non-ferrous metal or a non-ferrous metal alloy, such as aluminum or a non-ferrous metal. However, the metal strip 2 can also consist of an iron-based material, such as steel. The plant 1 (also referred to as a "continuous casting line") comprises a strip casting device 3 and a continuous cooling device 4 (also referred to as a strip flotation cooler). The continuous cooling device 4 is preferably provided for the horizontal passage of the metal strip 2.

[0030] In the strip casting device 3, the metal strip is produced from a melt. The strip casting device 3 can be designed according to the state of the art, so reference is made to the relevant prior art for further details. For example, the strip casting device 3 can be a so-called belt caster, a twin roll caster, etc. The strip casting device 3 is, in particular, a continuously operated casting device.

[0031] The continuous cooling device 4 is arranged downstream of the strip casting device 3 in a production direction 5. The continuous cooling device 4 is described in more detail below.

[0032] The system 1 can have further units or components, such as a heat treatment device 6 in which the metal strip 2 is heated or through which the heated metal strip 2 passes. Since these further units of the system 1 can also correspond to the state of the art, they will not be discussed further to avoid repetition. The heat treatment device 6 can be arranged downstream of the continuous cooling device 4 in the production direction 5 of the metal strip 2 or upstream of it. In the preferred embodiment, however, the continuous cooling device 4 can be arranged downstream of the strip casting device 3 in the production direction 5 of the metal strip 2, in particular directly downstream of it, as is intended to be clarified by the dashed line in Fig. 1.The continuous cooling device 4 can therefore be arranged at the outlet of the metal strip 1 from the strip casting device 3, so that the already at least partially solidified metal strip 2 can enter the continuous cooling device 5 directly.

[0033] The continuous cooling device 4 for cooling a metal strip 2 is better seen in Fig. 2, which schematically shows the continuous cooling device 4 in a side view.

[0034] The continuous cooling device 4 has at least one belt cooler 7. However, the continuous cooling device 4 can also have multiple belt coolers 7, for example, two or three or four belt coolers 7 arranged one behind the other and / or next to each other. If the continuous cooling device 4 has multiple belt coolers 7, they are preferably of identical design. Therefore, only one belt cooler 7 will be discussed in more detail below. The explanations can be applied to other belt coolers 7 of the continuous cooling device 4 if necessary.

[0035] The belt cooler 7 has a plurality of lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid arranged one behind the other along a direction 8 of passage of the metal belt 2 through the continuous cooling device 4, and a plurality of upper discharge elements 10 for a gaseous fluid arranged one behind the other along the direction 8 of passage of the metal belt 2. The lower discharge elements 9 are arranged at a distance from one another. Likewise, the discharge elements

[0036] 10 are arranged at a distance from one another. Furthermore, the lower discharge elements 9 are arranged at a distance from the upper discharge elements 10, so that the metal strip 2 can be conveyed between the lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 through the continuous cooling device 4.

[0037] Euft is used as the gaseous fluid, but other gases can also be used.

[0038] The lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 for the gaseous fluid can be designed according to the prior art. For example, they can have a housing 11 that forms or contains a supply channel for the gaseous fluid.

[0039] One or more nozzles can be arranged or configured for the outflow of the gaseous fluid. This allows for high heat transfer (high heat transfer coefficient). The nozzle(s) is / are arranged or aligned in particular such that the escaping gas stream is directed onto the metal strip 2. The nozzle(s) can have slit-like outlets, so that the nozzle(s) is / are bar-shaped. The housing 11 or the nozzle(s) preferably extends / extend across the entire width of the metal strip 2. If there are multiple nozzles, these can be arranged relative to one another such that the metal strip 2 can be exposed to a gas stream across its entire width.

[0040] To supply the lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 with the gaseous fluid, a blower or fan can be provided, which is connected to the flow of the lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10. Several blowers or a fan can also be provided. The lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 can be supplied with the gaseous fluid independently of one another or jointly.

[0041] The belt cooler 7 also has several liquid cooling units 12. The liquid cooling units 12 can be used to apply a cooling liquid to the metal belt 2. These liquid cooling units 12 enable improved, i.e., more homogeneous, cooling. In particular, a more homogeneous cooling line (linear cooling area) transverse to the direction of travel 8 can be achieved.

[0042] Water is a preferred cooling fluid, but other fluids can also be used.

[0043] The liquid cooling units 12 can be designed according to the prior art. For example, they can have a housing 13 which forms or contains a supply channel for the cooling liquid. One or more nozzles for the outflow of the cooling liquid can be arranged or designed on the housing 13, for example as flat jet nozzles, full cone nozzles, atomizing nozzles or hollow cone nozzles. The nozzle(s) is / are in particular arranged or aligned such that the escaping liquid flow is directed onto the metal strip 2. The nozzle(s) can have slit-like outlets so that the nozzle(s) is / are bar-shaped. The housing 11 or the nozzle(s) preferably extends / extends across the entire width of the metal strip 2. If there are multiple nozzles, these can be arranged relative to one another such that the metal strip 2 can be subjected to a gas flow across its entire width.For example, the nozzles can be arranged or formed in one or more rows on the housing 13, which extend in the direction of the width of the metal strip 2.

[0044] To supply the nozzle(s) with the coolant, one or more pumps can be provided that are fluidly connected to the nozzle(s). The nozzles can be supplied with the coolant independently of one another or jointly.

[0045] Liquid cooling units 12 can be arranged between the lower discharge elements 9 and between the upper discharge elements 10. They can be arranged only between the lower discharge elements 9 or only between the upper discharge elements 10. One or more lower or upper discharge elements 9, 10 can be arranged between the liquid cooling units 12. The representation chosen in Fig. 2 is therefore not to be understood as limiting the scope of the invention.

[0046] The lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 and the liquid cooling units 14 are arranged in the continuous cooling device 4 such that they do not touch the metal strip 2 during operation of the continuous cooling device 4.

[0047] Appropriate control valves can be provided to control the lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 and / or the liquid cooling units 12.

[0048] The continuous cooling device 4 has, between the upper and lower discharge elements 9, 8, at least one transport device 14 with at least one transport element 15 for temporarily transporting the metal strip 2.

[0049] In the embodiment of the continuous cooling device 4 shown in Fig. 2, the transport device 14 is modular in design and has three transport modules 16. The transport device 14 can also have fewer or more than three transport modules 16, for example two or four or five, etc., so that the transport device 14 can be adapted to different capacities of the continuous cooling device 4. However, the transport device 14 can also extend continuously through the continuous cooling device 4 or a section of the continuous cooling device 4 and have only a single transport element 15 that extends continuously over the entire length of the continuous cooling device 4 or the aforementioned section of the continuous cooling device 4.

[0050] The transport modules 16 of the transport device 15 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel 8 of the metal strip 2. Alternatively or additionally, several transport modules 16 can be arranged side by side in the continuous cooling device 4, i.e., transversely (in particular at right angles) to the direction of travel 8 of the metal strip 2.

[0051] One or more lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid and one or more liquid cooling units 12 can be assigned to the transport modules 16. For example, each of the transport modules 16 of the embodiment variant of the continuous cooling device 4 shown in Fig. 2 has two lower discharge elements 9 and one liquid cooling unit 12. However, this number should not be understood as limiting the scope of the invention. More than two lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid, for example three or four, etc., and / or more than one liquid cooling unit 12, for example two or three, etc., can also be provided per transport module 16. Preferably, the number of liquid cooling units 12 per transport module 16 is smaller than the number of lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid.

[0052] In the embodiment of the transport device 14 with the transport modules 16, each of the transport modules 16, or at least several of the transport modules 16, preferably has its own transport element 15. However, it is also possible for several transport modules 16 to share a common transport element 15.

[0053] The at least one transport element at least temporarily supports and transports the metal strip 2 through the continuous cooling device 4, in particular at the beginning, i.e. during the strip run-in phase. This refers to the phase of the strip run in which a new strip is introduced into the continuous cooling device 4 so that the free initial section of the metal strip 2 is located therein between the lower and upper discharge elements 9, 10 for the gaseous fluid. When this initial section has left the continuous cooling device 4 again and in particular a stable process state has been established, i.e. when the strip is already wound up into a coil under tension, the strip is conveyed through the continuous cooling device 4 suspended on the gaseous fluid.To simplify the transition between the support of the metal strip 2 and the suspension of the metal strip 2, according to one embodiment of the continuous cooling device 4, the transport element can be formed by ropes or belts, a mesh fabric, or a perforated conveyor belt. Reference is made to Figs. 3 and 4, which show sections of a transport element 15 in the form of a "perforated belt" with openings 17 in Fig. 3 and in the form of a mesh fabric in Fig. 4.

[0054] It should be noted, however, that the transport element can be formed by a continuous belt (i.e. a belt without openings 17) which extends over at least 50%, for example at least 80%, of the total width of the metal belt 2 transversely to the direction of passage 8.

[0055] The number, size and shape of the openings 17 may vary.

[0056] For example, a proportion between 40% and 80% of the area of ​​the transport element

[0057] 15 may be formed as openings 17. The openings 17 may be round, square, generally polygonal or polygonal. It is also possible that the transport element

[0058] 15 has several different openings 17.

[0059] If ropes and / or multiple adjacent belts are used, these individual elements are arranged at a distance from one another, so that the openings 17 are formed due to the spacing between the ropes and / or belts. The spacing between the ropes and / or belts and their number can be selected accordingly depending on the design of the continuous cooling device 4 or the metal belt 2. For example, between two and twenty ropes and / or belts can be arranged in the continuous cooling device 4 as transport elements 15 for the metal belt 2.

[0060] In general, the transport element 15 or the transport elements 15 can consist of a metal or metal-composite material, such as metal-mineral fiber composites, in particular with glass fibers, or metal composites with ceramic particles, etc.

[0061] According to the preferred embodiment of the continuous cooling device 4, rollers 18 or rolls, or generally rotatable or rotatably mounted support elements, are provided to guide the transport element 15 or the transport elements 15. In the modular embodiment, rollers 18 or rolls are provided at the corners at which the respective transport element 15 is deflected, as can be seen in Fig. 2. However, within the scope of the invention, more than these rollers 18 or rolls can generally be provided in the deflection regions, particularly if the transport element 15 covers longer distances between these deflection regions, in which additional support of the transport element 15 is advantageous.

[0062] At least one of the rollers 18 or rollers (per transport module 16) may be driven if necessary.

[0063] The support (and guidance) of at least one transport element 15 can also be carried out with other, optionally driven, support elements.

[0064] It is also possible for the support elements, for example, the rollers 18 or rolls, to have a surface profile in order to transmit a driving force to the transport element(s) 15. The surface profile can be, for example, a toothed structure. The transport element(s) 15 can also have a surface profile, for example, a toothed structure, on the side facing the support elements, which interacts with the surface profile of the support elements.

[0065] The transport element(s) 15 can, if necessary, be provided with a separate cooling system, for example, cooled from below (the side on which the metal strip 2 is not resting) with a liquid or gaseous cooling medium. In the embodiment with the rollers 18, these rollers can be cooled and thus transfer the cooling effect to the transport element(s) 15.

[0066] According to a further embodiment variant, it can be provided that the rollers or cylinders 18 have a coating 19, as is indicated by dashed lines on the lower left roller 18 in Fig. 2.

[0067] The coating 19 can be a friction-reducing coating 19 to reduce the friction between the rollers 18 and the transport element 15. For example, the coating can be formed from Al2O3, for which purpose the rollers 18 can be anodized, for example.

[0068] However, the coating 19 can also be a friction-enhancing coating 19 in order to increase the friction between the rollers 18 and the transport element 15 and to improve the power transmission between the roller 18 and the transport element 15 or between the roller and the transport element 15. For example, ??

[0069] In a continuous cooling device 4, rollers 18 or rolls with different coatings 19 can also be provided. For example, both rollers 18 or rolls with a friction-reducing coating 19 and rollers 18 or rolls with a friction-increasing coating 19 can be arranged.

[0070] As already explained, during the process, the transport of the metal strip 2 through the continuous cooling device 4 is preferably switched to a floating motion of the metal strip 2. In addition to the openings 17 described above, or alternatively thereto, according to one embodiment variant, it can be provided that at least the transport element 15 of the transport device 14 or of the transport modules 16 is height-adjustable. For example, at least the upper support elements, for example rollers 18, can be arranged or held in a holder 20, for example a holding frame, so that they can be lowered, as indicated in Fig. 5. In this case, with the lowering, the (respective) transport element 15 can lose its contact with the lower support elements. It is also possible for the entire transport modules 16 or the entire transport device 14 to be designed to be lowerable, as indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 2 using the right-hand transport module 16.For this purpose, for example, a link guide can be provided in which the corresponding elements of the transport device 14 are held / guided in a lowerable manner.

[0071] For lowering the respective elements of the transport device 14, a corresponding drive or drives, such as at least one electric motor, a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator, etc., can be provided.

[0072] According to a further embodiment, it is possible for the transport modules 16 to be height-adjustable independently of one another, so that the conversion from contact conveying of the metal strip 2 to suspended conveying can be carried out in stages or in sections. In general, this allows for demand-oriented contact conveying of the metal strip 2 with at least one transport element 15. For this purpose, appropriate sensors and / or a control or regulating device can be provided in / on the continuous cooling device 4. The sensors can be used, for example, to determine the position of the metal strip 2 within the continuous cooling device 4.

[0073] With the system 1, a method for cooling a metal strip 2 can be carried out in a continuous cooling device 4, wherein the continuous cooling device 4 has at least one strip cooler 7 which has a plurality of lower discharge elements 9 for a gaseous fluid, distributed along a direction of travel 8 of the metal strip 2, and a plurality of upper discharge elements 10 for a gaseous fluid, distributed along the direction of travel 8 of the metal strip 2, and which has a plurality of liquid cooling units 12, with which the metal strip 2 can be subjected to a cooling liquid, wherein the metal strip 2 is exposed during cooling to a gaseous fluid, which is directed from the upper and lower discharge elements 9, 10 in the direction of the metal strip, and to a cooling liquid, which is applied to the metal strip 2 emerging from the liquid cooling units 12.A free initial section of the metal strip 2 is placed onto at least one transport element 15 of the transport device 14, which is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements 9, 10, and conveyed by the transport element 15 through the continuous cooling device 4. With or after the free end section of the metal strip leaves, the conveyed quantity of gaseous fluid or the volume flow of gaseous fluid is increased, so that the metal strip 2 is brought into a suspended state within the continuous cooling device. In addition, at least the transport element 15 of the transport device 14 can be lowered. The increase in the volume flow of gaseous fluid can be achieved by increasing the speeds of the aforementioned fans (which can be designed, for example, as circulating fans) or blowers.

[0074] If necessary, upon reaching a free end section of the metal belt 2, the suspension conveying can be converted back into the contact-guided conveying state by reversing these processes.

[0075] The embodiments show or describe possible design variants of the system 1 or the continuous cooling device 4, whereby combinations of the individual design variants are also possible.

[0076] For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that, in order to better understand the structure of system 1 and the continuous cooling device 4, these are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0077] Reference symbol list

[0078] Attachment

[0079] metal band

[0080] Strip casting facility

[0081] Continuous cooling device

[0082] Production direction

[0083] Heat treatment device

[0084] Belt cooler

[0085] Direction of flow

[0086] discharge element

[0087] discharge element

[0088] Housing

[0089] Liquid cooling unit

[0090] Housing

[0091] Transport device

[0092] Transport element

[0093] Transport module

[0094] breakthrough

[0095] roller

[0096] Coating

[0097] bracket

Claims

Patent claims 1. Continuous cooling device (4) for cooling a metal strip (2), with at least one strip cooler (7) which has a plurality of lower discharge elements (9) for a gaseous fluid distributed along a direction of passage (8) of the metal strip (2) and a plurality of upper discharge elements (10) for a gaseous fluid distributed along the direction of passage (8) of the metal strip (2), and with a plurality of liquid cooling units (12) with which the metal strip (2) can be supplied with a cooling liquid, characterized in that at least one transport device (14) with at least one transport element (15) for transporting the metal strip (2) is arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements (9, 10).

2. Continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device (14) has a plurality of transport modules (15) which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage (8) of the metal strip (2).

3. Continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the transport modules (16) each have at least one transport element (15).

4. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transport element (15) is formed by ropes or belts or a mesh fabric or a perforated conveyor belt.

5. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transport element (15) is arranged circumferentially on rollers or cylinders (18).

6. Continuous cooling device (4) according to claim 5, characterized in that the rollers or cylinders (18) have a coating (19).

7. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least the transport element (15) of the transport device (14) is height-adjustable.

8. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the transport modules (15) are height-adjustable independently of one another.

9. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the transport elements (15) of the transport modules (16) are height-adjustable independently of one another.

10. Continuous flow cooling device (4) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that liquid cooling units (12) are arranged between lower and / or upper discharge elements (9, 10) for a gaseous fluid.

11. Continuous cooling device (4) according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that liquid cooling units (12) are arranged within the transport modules (16).

12. Plant (1) for producing a metal strip (2) with at least one strip casting device (3) in which the metal strip (1) is produced from a melt, and optionally at least one heat treatment device (6) in which the metal strip (2) is heated or through which the metal strip (2) passes in a heated state, and at least one of the continuous cooling devices (4), characterized in that the continuous cooling device (4) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 11.

13. Plant according to claim 12, characterized in that the continuous cooling device (4) is arranged directly adjacent to the strip casting device (3).

14. Method for cooling a metal strip (2), in a continuous cooling device (4), at least one strip cooler (7) which has several lower discharge elements (9, 10) for a gaseous fluid distributed along a direction of passage (8) of the strip and several having upper discharge elements (9, 10) for a gaseous fluid distributed along the direction of travel (8) of the strip, and having a plurality of liquid cooling units (12) with which the metal strip (2) can be supplied with a cooling liquid, wherein the metal strip (2) is exposed to a gaseous fluid, which is directed from the upper and lower discharge elements in the direction of the metal strip, and to a cooling liquid, which is applied to the metal strip emerging from the liquid cooling units, for cooling, characterized in that a free initial section of the metal strip is placed on a transport element of a transport device arranged between the upper and lower discharge elements and is conveyed by the transport element through the continuous cooling device, that the conveyed quantity of gaseous fluid is increased upon or after leaving the free end section,so that the metal strip is brought into a state of suspension within the continuous cooling device.

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