Device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or strip, comprising a cooling and / or rinsing liquid tank provided with outlets, from which a series of successive curtains of liquid flows in a turbulent manner, through which curtains the at least one steel wire and / or strip runs, and at least one water supply situated above the tank, from which at least one water screen flows downwards, the water screen having a distal end and a proximal end.

Description

[0001] COOLING AND / OR RINSING DEVICE FOR AT LEAST ONE THREAD AND / OR RIBBON

[0002] STEEL

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or ribbon.

[0004] Cooling and / or rinsing tanks for wires and / or tapes present in galvanizing devices have been known for a long time.

[0005] When a heat treatment step of the wires and / or ribbons is carried out, it is indeed necessary to cool and / or rinse the wires and / or ribbons for the next galvanizing steps.

[0006] Cooling the wires and / or ribbons to a temperature below 60°C in a cooling and / or rinsing unit protects the downstream pickling bath. This prevents the bath from overheating when the heat-treated wires and / or ribbons reach this pickling stage. Furthermore, the introduction of a hot wire and / or ribbon can cause acidic water in the sealing cascade at the pickling bath inlet to evaporate, potentially leading to bath corrosion. Investing in a scrubber or fume hood to address this corrosion issue is costly, both in terms of initial investment and ongoing operating expenses. Having a cooling tank upstream of the pickling bath mitigates this problem by efficiently cooling the wire and / or ribbon, thus reducing the need for additional expensive equipment.

[0007] Rinsing the wires and / or ribbons in a cooling and / or rinsing device after a heat treatment step prevents contamination of the downstream pickling bath. This is because rinsing removes as much of the sludge and / or carbon as possible from the heat treatment step.

[0008] The present invention relates more particularly to a device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or ribbon comprising

[0009] Means of driving at least one steel wire and / or ribbon arranged to allow said wire and / or ribbon to scroll to a scrolling height.

[0010] A tank containing a cooling and / or rinsing liquid of a height less than the scrolling height, arranged to be located below said at least one scrolling wire and / or ribbon, and provided with outlets from which a series of successive curtains of liquid flow turbulently through which said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon scrolls,

[0011] Means of projecting said series of successive curtains of liquid from the tank following an upward turbulent flow, and

[0012] Means of adjusting the number of successive curtains to be passed through said at least one wire and / or ribbon according to the cooling and / or rinsing to be achieved.

[0013] Such a device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or tape is well known in the prior art, see for example document WO03 / 104500. This document presents a device comprising a tank containing a coolant and / or rinse liquid, equipped with outlets from which successive curtains flow in an upward and turbulent manner, and wires and / or tapes in continuous motion passing through these successive curtains of coolant and / or rinse liquid.

[0014] Unfortunately, although the device in document WO03 / 104500 presents certain solutions for cooling and / or rinsing continuously moving wires and / or tapes, these solutions are not sufficient for current galvanizing devices where the speed of moving wires and / or tapes is constantly increasing.

[0015] The invention aims to address these technological challenges and to at least partially overcome the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a cooling and / or rinsing device for at least one steel wire and / or tape, enabling proper cooling and / or rinsing of wires and / or tapes moving at high speeds.

[0016] To solve these problems, the invention provides a cooling and / or rinsing device for at least one steel wire and / or ribbon as indicated at the beginning, comprising at least one water supply located above said tank from which flows downwards towards the tank, at least one water screen, said water screen having a distal end and a proximal end.

[0017] As can be seen, the device according to the present invention comprises means for driving at least one steel wire and / or ribbon, arranged to allow said wire and / or ribbon to advance to a height measured from the bottom of the tank, guiding said wire and / or ribbon through a cooling and / or rinsing liquid contained in a tank. The cooling and / or rinsing liquid is arranged below the wire and allows for the retention and recovery of said liquid. Outlets are arranged in the tank to allow an upward turbulent flow of a series of successive liquid curtains from said outlets via projection means. The driving means guide the wire and / or ribbon through the series of successive liquid curtains in order to cool the wire and / or ribbon.Means for adjusting the number of successive curtains to be passed through are also provided in order to adjust the number of successive curtains of liquid that the at least one wire and / or ribbon passes through, thus achieving a certain degree of adequate cooling and / or rinsing. Finally, according to the present invention, the device includes at least one water supply, above the tank, from which flows downwards towards the tank, at least one water screen allowing a constant supply of water, maintaining the temperature of the cooling and / or rinsing liquid contained in the tank at a temperature suitable for cooling said at least one moving wire and / or ribbon.

[0018] Indeed, this water supply reduces the temperature of the coolant and / or rinsing fluid in the tank, as it is heated by the wires and / or ribbons exiting the heat treatment stage. In fact, according to the present invention, the arrangement of the supply above the tank, in the form of a screen flowing downwards from the supply to the tank, easily maintains the tank temperature at a level favorable for cooling the wires and / or ribbons. Furthermore, if the tank is used for rinsing, this water screen gradually dilutes the rinsing fluid to reduce its concentration of the elements to be rinsed.The downward-flowing screen allows cooling and / or dilution across the width of the tank and, in combination with its operation, allows the creation of additional turbulence, which allows for better cooling and / or mixing.

[0019] Preferably, in the cooling and / or rinsing device according to the invention, the water from the water supply has a temperature between 15 and 30°C.

[0020] It is understood that at least one wire and / or ribbon is moved at a height measured from the bottom of the tank to the moving wire and / or ribbon, perpendicular to the direction of movement of the wires / ribbons. The term "water screen" is understood to mean a flat, substantially vertical and homogeneous surface of water flowing downwards, similar to a veil of water.

[0021] It is understood that said water screen flowing downwards towards the tank from at least one water supply has a proximal end located at the level of the water supply, a distal end located at the level of the tank, and a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of scrolling of said at least one wire and / or ribbon.

[0022] Advantageously, said outlets from which a series of successive curtains of liquid flow turbulently are located at a height lower than said flow height, arranged to be situated below said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon, and are preceded by said projection means comprising means for supplying pressurized gas bubbles to a lower part of the tank and means for forcing the bubbles towards said outlets, which carry the liquid upwards in the form of upward turbulent liquid curtains, said forced guidance means being composed of two juxtaposed guide plates, supported throughout in the tank so as to form between them, at an upper end situated above the cooling and / or rinsing liquid, a first narrow uniform gap arranged perpendicular to said at least one wire and / or ribbon to be treated, and,at a second lower end located towards the bottom of the tank, a second gap greater than the first gap, said means for supplying gas bubbles bringing them between the two guide plates towards said lower end thereof.

[0023] As can be seen, the spraying method directs the coolant and / or rinse from bottom to top. The decreasing space between the two plates from bottom to top allows for an increase in pressure, and in combination with the gas bubbles, this creates beneficial turbulence. Furthermore, this turbulence breaks down the vapor boundary layer formed in the previous stage, or the boundary layer of heated water, allowing direct contact between the filament and cold water. This significantly improves cooling efficiency by ensuring optimal heat exchange.

[0024] Preferably, the gas in the pressurized gas bubbles is air.

[0025] Equally advantageously, each of said guide plates has, from the upper end, a recovery plate which extends horizontally in a direction opposite to the second guide plate, said recovery plate being located under said at least one wire and / or ribbon in motion, and bordered at its free end by a barrier.

[0026] The recovery plate extends from the guide plate and collects the coolant and / or flushing fluid that is sprayed in a curtain-like pattern. Dams located at the free ends of each recovery plate maintain a certain level of coolant and / or flushing fluid above the recovery plates.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, said recovery plate forms an angle with the guide plate, going from the guide plate to the recovery plate in a clockwise direction, said angle being less than 90°.

[0028] In another embodiment, said first narrow uniform gap extends over a height of each of said guide plates of between 5 and 30 cm, and said recovery plate forms an angle with the guide plate, going from the guide plate to the recovery plate in a clockwise direction, said angle being equal to 90°.

[0029] In an even more particular form of embodiment, the said dams associated with the same means of projection are spaced at a minimum distance of between 40 and 70 cm, preferably between 45 and 65 cm, even more preferably between 50 and 60 cm.

[0030] Preferably, the liquid curtain projection means are arranged so that there is, towards at least one side of each curtain after its ascent, a drop of liquid through which said at least one moving steel wire and / or ribbon passes.

[0031] The specific arrangement of the projection means allows for a liquid drop through which at least one moving steel wire and / or ribbon passes. Thanks to this arrangement, the at least one moving steel wire and / or ribbon passes at least twice through the cooling and / or rinsing liquid. Specifically, a first pass is made through the upward turbulent flow of the cooling and / or rinsing liquid, and at least a second pass is made through the at least one turbulent liquid drop. These multiple passes allow for even more effective cooling of the at least one wire and / or ribbon.

[0032] Advantageously, the projection means are arranged in relation to each other so that the barriers associated with at least two neighboring projection means are spaced at a minimum distance of between 10 and 60 cm, preferably between 15 and 50 cm.

[0033] Spacing at least two adjacent barriers at a minimum distance of 10 to 60 cm creates an evaporation zone between two cooling / rinsing zones and exposes the wire and / or tape to air between two adjacent barriers. This allows the coolant and / or rinse fluid on its surface to partially evaporate. Since evaporation helps dissipate more heat, it improves cooling efficiency. This evaporation step increases the tank's cooling capacity.

[0034] Advantageously, said recovery plates are arranged so that said liquid falls onto the recovery plates, and that said liquid falls through said at least one scrolling steel wire and / or ribbon.

[0035] Equally advantageously, said recovery plates are arranged so that the distal end of said water screen is located above one of said recovery plates.

[0036] More advantageously, said recovery plates are arranged so as to maintain the level of said coolant and / or rinse fluid between said dams of each of the two recovery plates by overflowing above said dams, forming a layer of coolant and / or rinse fluid of a height greater than the height of said dams.

[0037] Even more advantageously, said recovery plates are arranged so that said at least one wire and / or steel ribbon in scrolling scrolls over said barriers, in contact with said coolant and / or flushing liquid.

[0038] This prolonged contact of said at least one moving steel wire and / or tape with said coolant and / or flushing fluid overflowing from said dam allows for even more effective cooling of said at least one wire and / or tape.

[0039] Preferably, the device further comprises, above said at least one moving wire and / or ribbon, deflector means that divert the upward turbulent flow of the aforementioned liquid curtains towards at least one side of each curtain so as to form from there at least one turbulent liquid drop through which said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon passes. Advantageously, each means for projecting a curtain of coolant and / or flushing liquid comprises a means for supplying clean gas bubbles and includes, as an adjustment means, means for opening or closing the gas bubble supply means of each projection means as desired.

[0040] These adjustment mechanisms allow for easy adjustment of the number of curtains in the series of successive liquid curtains. Indeed, different steel wires and / or ribbons in motion require a more or less pronounced decrease in their temperature. Some wires and / or ribbons require less cooling than others; therefore, the number of curtains in the series of successive liquid curtains will be reduced for these, and conversely, the number will be increased for wires and / or ribbons that require more cooling.

[0041] Advantageously, said at least one water supply comprises a plurality of orifices arranged to form said water screen, preferably between 120 and 200 orifices per meter along said water supply, said proximal end of said water screen being located at said plurality of orifices.

[0042] More specifically, the plurality of openings comprises one or more rows of openings, preferably parallel to each other. The openings in a row can be aligned with the openings in an adjacent row or arranged in a staggered pattern. In this way, the number of openings per meter is distributed over one or more rows.

[0043] The number of rows is typically between 1 and 5, more specifically between 3 and 4.

[0044] Advantageously, said at least one water supply is positioned upstream of at least one liquid curtain of said series of successive liquid curtains with respect to a direction of flow.

[0045] This positioning of said water supply implies that either each liquid curtain of said series of successive liquid curtains is preceded by a water supply, or some, at least one, of the liquid curtains of said series of successive liquid curtains are preceded by a water supply.

[0046] Equally advantageously, said at least one water supply is positioned upstream of said series of successive liquid curtains with respect to a direction of movement.

[0047] Advantageously, at least one water supply is arranged above the tank, at a height greater than the conveying height. Positioning this water supply above at least one conveying steel wire and / or tape allows for additional cooling of the wire and / or tape by the water and for rinsing it with clean water.

[0048] Advantageously, said tank comprises a substantially central flow zone, bordered by outer zones, having a width measured perpendicular to said flow direction, said width being less than a distance along which said water screen extends, said distance along which said water screen extends being measured perpendicular to said flow direction.

[0049] Even more advantageously, said width is less than a distance over which extends at least one liquid curtain of said series of successive liquid curtains, preferably each liquid curtain of said series of successive liquid curtains, said distance over which extends said series of successive liquid curtains being measured perpendicular to said direction of movement.

[0050] Other embodiments of the cooling and / or rinsing device for at least one steel wire and / or tape according to the invention are indicated in the attached claims.

[0051] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below, by way of non-limitation and with reference to the drawings.

[0052] In the drawings, figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a device for cooling and / or rinsing moving steel wires and / or strips.

[0053] Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a water supply according to the present invention.

[0054] Figure 3 is a top plan view of Figure 1.

[0055] In the figures, identical or similar elements bear the same reference numbers.

[0056] The description of the various figures refers to a cooling and / or rinsing device for at least one steel wire and / or ribbon. This description remains applicable to rinsing the wires and / or ribbons with a rinsing fluid or to cooling with any other coolant. Figure 2 shows the water supply 25 in perspective and enlarged; it has a plurality of orifices 26 aligned with each other through which a screen of water 27 flows downwards.

[0057] Figures 1 and 3 show a tank 1 containing coolant and / or flushing fluid 2, with a width L. Above this tank, one or more steel wires and / or ribbons 3 pass at a height h, measured from the bottom of the tank 1 to the passing wire and / or ribbon 3, perpendicular to a direction of movement 4 of the wires / ribbons, and over a width I, following a direction of movement indicated by arrow 4. The difference between the width of the tank L and the width I forms a border on each side of the width. Means for driving the movement are schematically represented by reference numerals 23 and 24. The coolant and / or flushing fluid can be supplied through an inlet 5 and discharged from the top through an overflow 6.In the illustrated tank, the distance between the base of the tank 1 and the overflow 6 allows for a liquid column height of approximately 700 mm (6864 Pa). The overflow 6 can be connected to a lower inlet 5', via a heat exchanger (not shown), to circulate the coolant and / or flushing fluid.

[0058] Tank 1 also includes means for projecting a series of successive curtains of liquid following an upward turbulent flow. These projection means include gas bubble supply means 7 to 9 arranged at the bottom of the tank parallel to each other and transverse to the direction of movement of the wires and / or ribbons. Each of these gas bubble supply means is connected, through corresponding openings in the tank and via fittings 10 to 12, to a distribution conduit 13 supplied with pressurized gas by a fan 14. Each fitting 10 to 12 is provided with a shut-off valve 22 which allows the pressurized gas supply to the gas bubble supply means 7 to 9 to be adjusted and switched on or off as needed.

[0059] In the illustrated example, the gas bubble supply means 7 to 9 are perforated and thus supply pressurized gas bubbles to the tank's cooling and / or rinsing fluid. Above each gas bubble supply means 7 to 9, two guide plates 15 and 16 are supported by the longitudinal walls 38 and 39 of the tank so as to pass completely through it. At their upper end, located above the level of the cooling and / or rinsing fluid, the guide plates are only slightly apart, thus forming a narrow outlet slot. At their lower end, located slightly below their gas bubble supply means, the guide plates 15 and 16 are significantly wider apart than at their upper end. The guide plates thus form a kind of roof between the two sides of which the gas bubbles are forcibly guided upwards.The guide plates 15 and 16 extend horizontally to form recovery plates 28 and 29 bordered at their free ends by dams 30 and 31.

[0060] With a gas pressure exceeding the coolant and / or flushing liquid column, in the illustrated case a pressure of approximately 150 mbar (15,000 Pa) for example, the gas bubbles carry the liquid from the tank as they rise and expel a turbulent curtain of coolant and / or flushing liquid 17 upwards. At the top of the liquid curtain, it can split in two, forming two turbulent coolant and / or flushing liquid drops 18 and 1, which the wire to be cooled must also pass through. These turbulent liquid drops are collected on the recovery plates 28 and 29. They then overflow above the dams 30 and 31 into tank 1.

[0061] The pairs of guide plates 15 and 16 are arranged sufficiently far apart in their sequence so that the barriers associated with at least two adjacent projection means are spaced a minimum distance of between 10 and 60 cm apart. In this way, the coolant and / or rinse liquid drops from two adjacent curtains are also spaced apart, and the wire passes through coolant and / or rinse liquid evaporation stages E and cooling / rinsing stages R.

[0062] The water supplies 25 through which water screens 27 flow downwards towards the tank are positioned above the tank and at a height greater than the flow height h, upstream of each curtain of cooling and / or rinsing liquid, such that the distal end of the water screen 27 is located above one of the recovery plates.

[0063] In certain cases, particularly in rinsing tanks, a lid 20 can be considered which closes the tank upwards and which has deflectors 21 to direct the direction of the liquid falls 18 and 19.

[0064] It must be understood that the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above and that many modifications can be made to it without departing from the scope of the claims given below.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A device for cooling and / or rinsing at least one steel wire and / or tape (3), comprising Means for driving a scrolling wire (23, 24) of at least one steel wire and / or ribbon (3), A tank (1) containing a coolant and / or rinsing liquid (2) arranged below said at least one moving wire and / or ribbon (3) and provided with outlets from which a series of successive curtains (17) of liquid flow in a turbulent manner through which said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon (3) passes, Means of projecting said series of successive curtains of liquid from the tank (1) following an upward turbulent flow, and Means of adjusting the number of successive curtains to be passed through said at least one wire and / or ribbon (3) according to the cooling and / or rinsing to be achieved, characterized in that it further comprises At least one water supply (25) located above said tank (1) from which flows downwards towards the tank, at least one water screen (27), said water screen (27) having a distal end and a proximal end.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said outlets from which a series of successive curtains (17) of liquid flow turbulently are located at a height lower than said flow height, arranged to be located under said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon (3), and are preceded by said projection means comprising means for supplying pressurized gas bubbles (7, 8, 9) to a lower part of the tank (1) and means for forcing bubbles towards said outlets, which carry the liquid (2) upwards in the form of curtains (17) of liquid with upward turbulent flow, said forced guidance means being composed of two juxtaposed guide plates (15, 16), supported throughout in the tank (1) so as to form between them, at an upper end located above the cooling and / or rinsing liquid (2),a first narrow uniform gap arranged perpendicularly to said at least one wire and / or ribbon (3) to be treated, and, at a second lower end located towards the bottom of the tank (1), a second gap greater than the first gap, said means for supplying gas bubbles (7, 8, 9), bringing these between the two guide plates (15, 16) towards said lower end thereof.

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that each of said guide plates (15, 16) has, from the upper end, a recovery plate (28, 29) which extends horizontally in a direction opposite to the second guide plate (15, 16), said recovery plate (28, 29) being located under said at least one wire and / or ribbon in motion (3), and bordered at its free end by a barrier (30, 31).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said recovery plate (28, 29) forms an angle with the guide plate (15, 16), going from the guide plate (15, 16) to the recovery plate (28, 29) in a clockwise direction, said angle being less than 90°.

5. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that said dams (30, 31) associated with the same projection means are spaced at a minimum distance of between 40 and 70 cm, preferably between 45 and 65 cm, even more preferably between 50 and 60 cm.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the liquid curtain projection means are arranged so that there is, towards at least one side of each curtain (17) after its rise, a drop of liquid (18, 19) through which said at least one moving steel wire and / or ribbon (3) passes.

7. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, or of claim 6 when it depends on any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the projection means are arranged relative to each other so that the barriers (30, 31) associated with at least two neighboring projection means are spaced at a minimum distance of between 10 and 60 cm, preferably between 15 and 50 cm.

8. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 7, or of claim 6 when it depends on any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said recovery plates (28, 29) are arranged so that said liquid drop (18, 19) falls onto the recovery plates (28, 29), and that said liquid drop (18, 19) is traversed by said at least one scrolling steel wire and / or ribbon (3).

9. A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 7 or 8, or of claim 6 when it depends on any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said recovery plates (28, 29) are arranged such that the distal end of said water screen (27) is located above one of said recovery plates (28,29).

10. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 7 to 9, or of claim 6 when it depends on any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said recovery plates (28, 29) are arranged so as to maintain the level of said coolant and / or flushing fluid (2) between said dams (30, 31) of each of the two recovery plates (28, 29) by overflowing above said dams (30, 31), forming a layer of coolant and / or flushing fluid (2) of a height greater than the height of said dams (30, 31). 1 1. Device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, 7 to 10, or of claim 6 when it depends on any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said recovery plates (28, 29) are arranged so that said at least one steel wire and / or tape (3) in scrolling scrolls over said barriers (30, 31), in contact with said coolant and / or rinse liquid (2).

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it further comprises, above said at least one moving wire and / or ribbon (3), deflecting means (21) which diverts the upward turbulent flow of the aforementioned liquid curtains (17) towards at least one side of each curtain (17) so as to form from there at least one turbulent liquid drop (18, 19) through which said at least one steel wire and / or ribbon (3) passes.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that each means for projecting a curtain of coolant and / or rinsing liquid includes a means for supplying gas bubbles (7, 8, 9) of its own and in that it includes, as an adjustment means, means for opening or closing as desired the gas bubble supply means (7, 8, 9) of each projection means.

14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said at least one water supply (25) comprises a plurality of orifices (26) arranged to form said water screen (27), preferably between 120 and 200 orifices (26) per meter along said water supply (25), said proximal end of said water screen (27) is located at the level of said plurality of orifices (26).

15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that said at least one water supply (25) is positioned upstream of at least one liquid curtain (17) of said series of successive liquid curtains (17) with respect to a direction of flow (4), or that said at least one water supply (25) is positioned upstream of said series of successive liquid curtains (17) with respect to a direction of scrolling (4).

16. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that said at least one water supply (25) is arranged above said tank (1), at a height greater than said scroll height.

17. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that said tank (1) comprises a substantially central flow zone, bordered by outer zones, having a width measured perpendicular to said flow direction (4), said width being less than a distance along which said water screen (27) extends, said distance along which said water screen (27) extends being measured perpendicular to said flow direction (4).

18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that said width is less than a distance along which extends at least one curtain (17) of liquid of said series of successive curtains (17) of liquid, preferably each curtain (17) of liquid of said series of successive curtains (17) of liquid, said distance along which extends said series of successive curtains (17) of liquid being measured perpendicular to said direction of scrolling (4).

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