Apparatus and method for heating a slab

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heating device (1) and method for heating a slab (2) made of steel. For this purpose, the heating device (1) includes at least first, second, and third heating devices (11, 12, 13) arranged continuously in the direction of passage R, and a conveying device (14) equipped with a plurality of conveying sections (14-1 to 14-6) for conveying the slab from outside the heating device (1) into one of the heating devices (11, 12, 13), between the heating devices (11, 12, 13), and from the third heating device (13) to a deformation processing device (30). In order to heat the slab to the deformation temperature required for deformation processing in a more energy-efficient and flexible manner, a heating device is selected from among the first, second, or third heating devices (11, 12, 13) to which the slab to be heated (2) should be supplied from outside the heating device (1), and which has an input temperature range that includes the actual temperature of the slab to be heated as determined by the temperature determination device (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for heating a slab made of steel material. Further, the present invention also relates to a plant equipped with such a heating apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Low-temperature slabs have conventionally been heated to the rolling temperature in various different furnaces before the first pass. The heating process before the first pass in the rolling stand requires approximately 80% of the total energy consumption for forming a hot strip. Currently, most of this energy is provided from fossil-derived energy carriers.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 115781 describes a method capable of forming a hot strip by processing slabs of different dimensions in a single common rolling line. In the same publication, a continuous casting facility is directly connected to the row of the rolling line, and high-temperature slabs are provided from the casting process to the rolling line. Low-temperature slabs and slabs of different dimensions may be fed into the row by a diverter and an additional furnace.

[0004] European Patent Application Publication No. 0610028 discloses a method for manufacturing a hot strip by a continuous casting and rolling facility, in which a high-temperature slab can be temporarily placed in an insulated storage vessel. The insulated storage vessel is arranged in parallel with the preheating furnace of the rolling line, and the slab can be exchanged laterally with respect to the moving direction of the slab in the rolling line.

[0005] International Publication No. 2023 / 052500 discloses a method for producing a flat rolled product from a thick steel slab or a non-ferrous metal slab. In this method, different electric heating devices are used to heat the edges and surface of the slab. The method allows for energy optimization of heating the slab by induction heating at least once, controlled by a control device. Each heating device is assigned a fixed power source to the slab. In particular, the application at least implicitly discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] As previously mentioned and known, assigning a slab supplier, such as a yard or casting facility, to a specific heating device is a disadvantage and particularly inflexible. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The fundamental problem of this invention is to improve known heating devices, methods, and plants for heating slabs so that heating the slabs to the deformation temperature required for deformation processing can be done more energy-efficiently and flexibly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved with respect to the heating device by the scope of claim 1.

[0009] The concept of a slab typically represents a primary product made of steel.

[0010] The concept of a casting facility encompasses a built-in transverse device used to separate the initially endlessly cast casting strands into individual slabs, that is, to separate the individual slabs from the casting strands.

[0011] The concept of deformation processing equipment specifically refers to rolling stands, rolling lines, and / or compression equipment.

[0012] The concept of deformation temperature refers to the temperature that a slab must have when subjected to the first deformation step inside a deformation apparatus. The third target temperature, which is the target when raising the temperature of the slab inside a third heating device, must be set so that the deformation temperature of the slab is achieved inside the deformation apparatus, in which case, in some cases, temperature loss in the transport path between the outlet of the third heating device and the deformation apparatus must be taken into consideration. However, for convenience, this loss is ignored herein, and instead, for simplicity, the target temperature of the third heating device is set to be equal to the deformation temperature.

[0013] By selecting the heating device to which the slab to be heated should first be supplied from outside the heating apparatus, according to the present invention, not only this one selected heating device, but also all subsequent heating devices, and consequently the entire heating sequence or heating route for the slab until the required deformation temperature is achieved, are individually selected and determined. In this way, the best heating sequence can be selected for each slab according to its current actual temperature, and to this extent, the selection according to the present invention is flexible. Furthermore, each slab does not always need to pass through all heating devices, which is energy efficient. Passing through one or more different heating devices can be done without switching the furnace curve.

[0014] The essential part of this invention is to determine an energy-optimized sequence of different heating steps depending on the actual temperature of the slab.

[0015] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the first heating device is a preheating device to which a first input temperature range is assigned. The first heating device slowly heats the slab to a maximum of a first target temperature. This first target temperature may correspond to the final temperature of the first input temperature range. Slow heating prevents cracking during the subsequent induction heating stage. Slow heating is also advantageous for holding the slab in the third heating device at a temperature near the deformation temperature for a longer period, because this would otherwise be accompanied by undesirable structural changes. Finally, preheating significantly reduces the energy consumption in the third heating device, making the overall process energy efficient.

[0016] In the second heating device, which operates in an induction manner and is assigned a second input temperature range, the slab is heated to a second target temperature, which is adjusted to match the third heating device. The second heating step can be precisely adjusted to the input temperature and the material's specific properties regarding magnetic properties, using electrical energy that can be provided by an easily adjustable and regenerative energy source. Furthermore, precise control of the temporal heating step is possible, taking into account the core temperature and surface temperature. This is particularly advantageous when the second furnace consists of multiple induction devices arranged in series. Thus, heating can be used effectively even when the temperature exceeds the Curie temperature.

[0017] In a third heating device to which a third input temperature range is assigned, the slab is heated to a third target temperature, typically, for example, the deformation temperature required for deformation of the slab, particularly for rolling within the deformation device. The heating device is ignited by a natural or artificial gas, oil, hydrogen, or similar. If simulation or pre-calculation of the temperature of the slab in the third heating device using a temperature model, or measurement of this temperature, indicates that the required deformation temperature has not yet been achieved, the residence period of the slab in the third heating device is extended until the deformation temperature is achieved.

[0018] Each different heating device may preferably be used to perform energy-optimized, specific heat treatment on the slab, thereby accurately generating a specific microstructure, particularly before deformation processing. In the case of steel materials in particular, this allows for the precise formation or suppression of precipitates, especially at grain boundaries.

[0019] Cooling devices, particularly those using water, water-air, or air as a cooling medium, may preferably be used to precisely and energy-optimally cool a slab made of a special material, such as a microalloyed material, which is then supplied again to a first or second heating device.

[0020] A higher-level control device, in the form of a pure open-loop control device or a closed-loop control device, preferably controls the flow in a heating device or a plant according to the present invention using one process model or production planning model, respectively, in order to carry out the method according to the present invention.

[0021] The latter model optimizes, for example, the production sequence of production tasks, particularly the feeding of slabs at different actual temperatures, using optimization algorithms and / or self-learning artificial intelligence, thereby minimizing the energy consumption of the heating equipment relative to the total energy consumption or the energy consumption per slab. The production planning model pre-sets, for example, a unique time-temperature curve in the control system for each individual slab.

[0022] Finally, the heating device may be equipped with a regeneration system to transfer waste heat from the third heating device to the first heating device, that is, to transfer heat from the heating device that consumes more energy and generates the most waste heat to the heating device that consumes less energy. The second heating device does not require additional heat supply due to its induction operating mode.

[0023] Furthermore, the above-described problems of the present invention are solved by the plant according to claim 6 and the method according to claim 7. The advantages of these solutions correspond to the advantages described above with respect to the heating-up device according to the present invention.

[0024] However, a special advantage of the method according to the present invention is to calculate the starting point for supplying the slab to the selected heating device using a process model such that the slab is heated up to the processing temperature at the time of processing and reaches the processing device. This calculation is optimally performed in terms of time and / or energy, for example, using the product planning model, temperature model and / or process model of the control device. Optimized in terms of time means that as little time as possible elapses between the starting point and the arrival at the processing time when the slab enters the processing device at the processing temperature. Optimized in terms of energy means that as little energy as possible is consumed during this time, both with respect to the energy consumption of individual slabs and with respect to the total energy consumption of the plant. Based on its configuration, the third heating device can buffer disturbances in the rolling operation, which has the advantage that delays are not directly linked to the unnecessary removal of slabs from the third furnace, which would be associated with an undesirable cooling effect.

[0025] Further advantageous embodiments of the heating-up device, the plant and the method according to the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the plant according to the present invention provided with the heating-up device according to the present invention and the method according to the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail in the form of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a plant 100 according to the present invention, for example, a steel mill. This steel mill has a first yard 21, in particular an outdoor yard without a (thermal) insulating hood, which contains slabs having an actual temperature, for example, the ambient temperature or an actual temperature of up to 400°C. Alternatively or additionally, plant 100 may have a second yard 21' covered by a (thermal) insulating hood for containing slabs having an actual temperature of up to 900°C. The yard may also be a slab pit. Furthermore, plant 100 may have a casting facility 22, which at its outlet is for forming slabs 2 having an actual temperature of, for example, 900°C or higher.

[0029] Furthermore, the plant 100 is equipped with a heating device 1 according to the present invention, which comprises first, second, and third heating devices 11, 12, and 13. The first and third heating devices 11 are each formed as heating devices that are powered by a fuel, particularly natural gas, hydrogen, and / or petroleum. The second heating device 12 is inductively powered, that is, by electric current.

[0030] In addition to the heating device, the heating device 1, and by extension the plant 100, has a conveying device 14 equipped with multiple conveying sections 14-1 to 14-6, for example, in the form of a driven roller table. The roller table is also configured to supply the slab 2 from outside the heating device 1, that is, from one of the yards 21, 21', or from the outlet of the slab processing device 23 or the casting equipment 22, utilizing the heat of casting in the latter case, to the selected heating device of the heating device 1. For this purpose, at least some of the conveying sections are appropriately controlled by a control device.

[0031] At least some of the transport sections, in particular the intermediate transport sections 14-2 and 14-3 between two heating devices, may have insulating hoods to form an insulated area 141 and / or an insulated storage area 142 for the slab 2.

[0032] Each of the heating devices 11, 12, and 13 has an internal conveying device, for example in the form of a driven roller table, for loading, guiding, and unloading slabs.

[0033] The heating device 1, and by extension the temperature determination device 4 of the plant 100, is used to determine the actual current temperature of the slab or to pre-calculate or post-calculate the temperature of the slab. Temperature determination may be performed by measurement in easily accessible locations within the plant, such as yards 21, 21' or the entrances and exits of the slab processing equipment 23, casting equipment 22, heating devices 11, 12, 13, or deformation equipment 30 or conveying sections. Alternatively, slab temperature determination may be performed by simulation using a temperature model that may be assigned to the control device or temperature determination device, typically in locations that are simply difficult to access, such as inside the heating equipment or deformation equipment.

[0034] The heating device 1, and by extension the control device 3 of the plant 100, are configured to perform open-loop or closed-loop control of the heating devices 11, 12, 13 and the conveying device 14 for the slab 2, preferably taking into account the temperature determined by the temperature determination device, in order to carry out the method according to the present invention.

[0035] The heating device 1, and by extension the plant 100, may be equipped with a regeneration system 6, which is connected to the first and third heating devices 11 and 13, and is intended to transfer the waste heat from the third heating device 11 to the first heating device 13, thereby saving energy and costs.

[0036] Finally, the plant 100 also includes a deformation processing device 30, particularly a rolling line and / or compression device, for deformation processing of the slab 2 heated to the deformation processing temperature in the third heating device 13, which is located downstream of the heating device 13.

[0037] The heating device 1 is used to heat a slab 2 made of steel. The three heating devices 11, 12, and 13 of the heating device 1 are arranged in a continuous line in the direction of passage R. The conveying device 14 of the heating device 1, equipped with conveying sections 14-1 to 14-6, is used not only to convey the slab from outside the heating device 1 to the selected heating device, but also to convey the slab between the heating devices 11, 12, and 13 in the direction of passage R, and to convey the slab from the third heating device 13 to the deformation processing device 30. In addition to all of this, the cooperation with the temperature determination device 4 is coordinated by the higher-level control device 3, and is in particular open-loop control or closed-loop control. In particular, all conveying sections 14-1 to 14-6 are appropriately controlled to carry out the (work) steps of the method according to the present invention as necessary.

[0038] A first heating device 11, to which a first input temperature range of, for example, a maximum of 400°C is assigned to the slab to be heated, is configured and designed to raise the slab to a first target temperature, for example, 450°C or less, or 400°C or less.

[0039] The second heating device 12 is an induction heating device to which a second input temperature range, for example, 400°C to 900°C, is assigned to the slab to be heated, and is configured and designed to raise the temperature of the slab to a second target temperature, for example, 950°C or less or 900°C or less.

[0040] A conventional third heating device 13, to which a third input temperature range exceeding 900°C is assigned to the slab to be heated, raises the slab 2 to a third target temperature, typically a material-specific deformation temperature T based on a range of 1230°C to 1250°C. U It is configured and designed to raise the temperature to the rolling temperature in particular.

[0041] The target temperature preferably corresponds to the highest temperature within each respective input temperature range.

[0042] The three input temperature ranges are preferably adjacent to each other without any gaps. This has the advantage that each slab with an actual temperature up to the end of the third input temperature range, i.e., the temperature height defining the third target temperature, is uniquely and precisely assigned to which of the three heating devices the slab should pass through first.

[0043] The higher-level control device 3 is configured to carry out the method according to the present invention. The method according to the present invention includes selecting a heating device from among the first, second, or third heating devices 11, 12, 13 that has an input temperature range that includes the actual temperature of the slab to be heated, as identified by the temperature identification device 4 (see the selection area shown by the dashed line in Figure 1). The slab to be heated is first supplied to the heating device selected in this manner from outside the heating device 1. For this purpose, the transport section of the transport device is controlled as described above.

[0044] Therefore, a slab having an actual temperature of, for example, 400°C or less, particularly an ambient temperature as the actual temperature, is first introduced into a first heating device 11 in the form of a preheating device according to the method of the present invention, and then passes through second and third heating devices 12 and 13. In other words, in the case of low-temperature introduction, all heating devices 11, 12, and 13 are passed through in succession. Slabs with such relatively low actual temperatures typically arrive from a (slab) yard or (slab) pit without an insulating hood.

[0045] For example, a slab having an actual temperature of 400°C to 900°C is first introduced into a second heating device 12 in the form of an induction heating device according to the method of the present invention, and then passes through a third heating device 13. Such a slab is appropriately preheated and may arrive, for example, from a slab yard or slab pit equipped with an insulating hood.

[0046] Finally, a slab with an actual temperature exceeding, for example, 900°C, is first or directly fed into a third heating device 13, where it is heated to the deformation temperature it must have for subsequent deformation in the deformation device 30. Slabs with such high actual temperatures typically arrive directly from the casting equipment. In this case, the casting heat still present in the slab 2 is optimally utilized, thereby saving energy costs for later reheating, which would be necessary, especially if the slab 2 cools down along the way.

[0047] Thus, slabs can be energy-efficiently fed into the deformation processing apparatus at any actual temperature according to the present invention, regardless of their origin. This procedure is both energy-efficient and flexible because not all slabs need to be processed the same way, and they do not always need to pass through all heating devices. As a result, by precisely and selectively supplying each slab to a individually and precisely selected heating device according to the present invention, it is advantageous to achieve energy savings of, for example, about 80% in the first heating device, about 60% in the second heating device, and about 55% in the third heating device. This is significant compared to the case where all heating devices are always passed through by all slabs.

[0048] In order to implement the selection method described, the actual temperature of the slab to be heated is determined each time at the start of the process by the temperature determination device 4.

[0049] According to one embodiment, - Deformation processing time t when supplying slab 2 to deformation processing device 30 u The steps to confirm and - Preferably using a process model 31 assigned to a higher-level control device 3, the steps include: calculating the duration of each heating step according to the actual temperature of the slab 2 before it enters the selected heating device and the target temperature at the end of each heating step; - The slab was deformed at the time of processing t uDeformation processing temperature T u The steps include: calculating the start time for supplying the slab 2 to the selected heating devices 11, 12, and 13 using a process model, such that the slab 2 has been heated to a certain temperature and has reached the deformation processing device 3; By performing this procedure, the starting point for supplying the slab to be heated to the selected heating device may be determined.

[0050] In this case, the calculation of the starting point is based on the deformation processing time t. u Starting from there, the process proceeds taking into account the required heating step duration and the time required for the slab to be transported from outside heating device 1 into the selected heating device. In any case, the time required for transport from the third heating device 13 to the deformation processing device 30 is always taken into consideration. If necessary, i.e., if not directly transported into the third heating device, the transport time between the individual heating devices 11, 12, and 13 is also taken into consideration.

[0051] The process model 31 or production planning model uses the included optimization algorithm or self-learning artificial intelligence to deform the slab 2 at a processing temperature T. U The start time for supplying the slab 2 to the selected heating devices 11, 12, 13 may be optimized so as to minimize the amount of energy and / or processing time required to raise the temperature, for example, the number of heating steps required.

[0052] The third heating device 13 is used as a temporary buffer during planned and / or unplanned interruptions in one of the heating steps, so that the slab may be temporarily stored in the third heating device 13 until the deformation device is used to deform the slab located within the third heating device 13. Alternatively or simultaneously, the third heating device 13 may be used for temperature compensation in the slab located within the third heating device 13. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1. Heating device 2 Slabs 3. (Higher-level) control unit 31 Process Models 4 Temperature identification device 6th Year System 11. First heating device 12. Second heating device 13. Third heating device 14. Conveying device 14-1~14-6 Transport categories 1 to 6 21 yards, especially outdoor yards 21' Yards, especially those with insulated hoods 22 Casting equipment 23 Slab Processing Equipment 30 Deformation Processing Equipment 31 Process Models R passing direction T u Deformation processing temperature t u Deformation processing point

Claims

1. A heating device (1) for heating a slab (2) made of steel, At least first, second, and third heating devices (11, 12, 13) are arranged continuously in the direction of passage (R), A conveying device (14) having multiple conveying sections (14-1 to 14-6) for conveying the slab from outside the heating device (1), particularly from the casting equipment (22) or yard (21, 21') into one of the heating devices (11, 12, 13), conveying the slab between the heating devices (11, 12, 13) in the passing direction (R), and conveying the slab from the third heating device (13) to the deformation processing device (30), A higher-level control device (3) for open-loop or closed-loop control of the heating devices (11, 12, 13) and the conveying device (14), In a heating device (1) having, A temperature determination device (4) is provided to determine the actual temperature of the slab (2) before supplying it to one of the heating devices (11, 12, 13), The first heating device (11), to which a first input temperature range is assigned to the slab to be heated, is configured and designed to raise the temperature of the slab to a first target temperature. The second heating device (12) is configured and designed to raise the temperature of the slab to a second target temperature, as an induction heating device to which a second input temperature range is assigned to the slab to be heated. The third heating device (13), to which a third input temperature range is assigned to the slab to be heated, raises the slab (2) to a third target temperature, in particular the material-specific deformation processing temperature (T) of the slab. Ｕ It is configured and designed to raise the temperature to ) The higher-level control device (3) is configured to select a heating device from among the first, second, or third heating devices (11, 12, 13) that has an input temperature range that includes the actual temperature of the slab to be heated, as determined by the temperature determination device (4), as the heating device to first supply the slab to be heated from outside the heating device (1), and to control the transport section of the transport device so that the slab to be heated (2) is supplied to the selected heating device. A heating device (1) characterized by the following:

2. The heating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first heating device (11) is formed as a heating device that is powered by a fuel, particularly natural gas, hydrogen and / or petroleum.

3. The heating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the third heating device (13) is formed as a heating device that is powered by a fuel, particularly natural gas, hydrogen and / or petroleum.

4. The heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least some of the conveying sections of the conveying device (14), in particular the intermediate conveying sections (14-2, 14-3), have insulating hoods to form an insulated area (141) and / or an insulated storage area (142) for the slab (2).

5. A heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is connected to the first heating device (11) and the third heating device (13), and is provided with a regeneration system (6) for transferring waste heat from the third heating device (11) to the first heating device (13).

6. A plant (100), particularly a steel mill, For example, at least one yard (21, 21') with or without a (thermal) insulating hood for holding a slab (2) having an actual temperature at a high ambient temperature or an actual temperature in a preheated state, A casting facility (22) for forming slabs (2) having an actual temperature exceeding 900°C, which is either an alternative or additional provision to the aforementioned yard, A heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising three heating devices (11, 12, 13), a conveying device, a temperature determining device, and a higher-level control device, wherein the conveying device (14) is also configured to supply the slab (2) from the yard (21) or from the outlet of the casting equipment (22), using the heat of casting in the latter case, to the selected heating device of the heating device (1), and the higher-level control device (3) is configured to perform open-loop or closed-loop control of the heating device (1), particularly comprising the heating devices (11, 12, 13) and the conveying device (14), in order to carry out the method according to the present invention, A deformation processing device (30) is located downstream of the third heating device (13) of the heating device (1) and is used to deform the slab which has been heated to the deformation processing temperature (TU) within the third heating device (13), A plant (100) having the following features.

7. A method for raising the temperature of a slab (2) made of steel material using a heating device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least, - A material-specific deformation processing temperature (T) is applied to the slab (2) from outside the heating device. ｕ ), in particular, the work step of determining the rolling temperature, - A work step to determine the actual temperature of the slab (2), - A work step of selecting the heating device (1, 2, 3) to which the slab (2) to be heated should first be supplied, as a heating device having the input temperature range that includes the actual temperature of the slab to be heated as identified by the temperature identification device (4), - A work step of supplying the slab (2) to the selected heating device (11, 12, 13) via the conveying section (14-1 to 14-6) of the conveying device, and passing it through the selected heating device first, -The next step is to transport the slab (2) through a subsequent heating device, which may be in the direction of passage (R), wherein the slab (2) is heated to its respective target temperature within the heating device through which it passes, and the heating of the slab (2) within each heating device through which it passes constitutes a separate heating step, and the slab is heated to the deformation processing temperature (T) which is a third target temperature within the third heating device (13) through which it passes Ｕ The work steps involve raising the temperature to ) - A work step of transporting the slab (2) having the deformation processing temperature from the third heating device to the deformation processing device, A method for carrying out this.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it includes introducing waste heat, preferably exhaust gas, from the third heating device (13) into the first heating device (11) and using the first heating device (11) to heat the slab (2).

9. The deformation processing time (t) at which the slab (2) should be supplied to the deformation processing device (30) ｕ ) to confirm, Preferably, using the process model (31) assigned to the higher-level control device (3), the duration of each heating step is calculated, in particular, according to the actual temperature of the slab (2) before it enters the selected heating device and the target temperature at the end of each heating step. The slab at the time of deformation processing (t ｕ ) at the deformation processing temperature (T ｕ Using the process model, calculate the start time for supplying the slab (2) to the selected heating devices (11, 12, 13) such that it has been heated to the temperature and reached the deformation processing device (3), Includes, The calculation at the start time is performed at the time of deformation processing (t ｕ Starting from the above, the process is carried out considering the necessary heating step period, the time required for transporting the slab from outside the heating device (1) into the selected heating device, the time required for transport between individual heating devices if necessary, and the time required for transport from the third heating device (13) to the deformation processing device (30). The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that...

10. The process model (31) or production planning model uses an optimization algorithm or self-learning artificial intelligence to process the slab (2) to the deformation temperature (T Ｕ The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the starting time or calculation for supplying the slab (2) to the selected heating device (11, 12, 13) is optimized so as to minimize the amount of energy required to raise the temperature and / or the number of heating steps required.

11. A slab (2) having an actual temperature of 400°C or less is supplied to the first heating device (11). The slab (2) is heated to a maximum temperature of 400°C by the first heating device (11). The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that

12. A slab (2) having an actual temperature of over 400°C to 900°C is supplied to the second heating device (12), preferably an induction heating device. Raise the temperature of the slab (2) up to a maximum of 900 °C to the target temperature (T ｚ ) by means of the second heating device (12). The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that

13. A slab (2) having an actual temperature of 900°C or higher is supplied to the third heating device (13). The deformation processing temperature (T) of the material of the slab (2) ｕ The temperature is raised to ) by the third heating device (13). The method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that

14. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the heated slab (2) is temporarily stored in an insulated area (141) and / or an insulated storage area (142) of the conveying device (14) after heating.

15. The third heating device (13) is used as a temporary buffer, for example, during a planned and / or unplanned interruption in one of the heating steps, thereby temporarily storing the slab in the third heating device (13) until the deformation device (30) is used to deform the slab located in the third heating device (13), and / or The third heating device (13) is used for temperature compensation in the slab located within the third heating device (13). The method according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that

16. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 15, characterized in that the slab (2) is supplied from one yard (21), a slab processing apparatus located upstream and / or the casting equipment (22) to a selected heating device (11, 12, 13).

17. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 16, characterized in that the slab (2) is rolled and / or compressed in the deformation processing device (30).

18. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 17, characterized in that a slab (2) made of a special material, such as microalloyed steel, having an actual temperature of over 900°C, is first cooled to a temperature of less than 550°C by a cooling device using, for example, water and / or air.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the slab is subsequently supplied to the first or second heating device according to its actual temperature after cooling.

20. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 19, characterized in that the actual temperature of the slab is determined by the temperature determination device (4), by measurement, or by simulation using the control device and / or a temperature model that may be assigned to the temperature determination device (4).

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the actual temperature of the slab, for example, the actual temperature required to select the heating device through which the slab should first pass or the actual temperature required to calculate the start time for supplying the slab to the selected heating device, is measured by the temperature-determining device, particularly within one of the yards (21, 21') or at the outlet of the slab processing apparatus or the casting equipment (22).

22. The temperature of one of the slabs is determined using a temperature model, at any point in time, particularly at a determined time of deformation (t ｕ The method according to any one of claims 9 to 20, characterized in that the calculation may be performed or tracked at any point while the slab is passing through the heating device (1), particularly inside or behind one of the heating devices.

23. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 22, characterized in that, using the process model (31) or production planning model, a built-in optimization algorithm or self-learning artificial intelligence is used to pre-set a unique time-temperature curve for at least one of the slabs (2) to be heated.

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