Casting-Rolling Line Reheating for Final Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current casting rolling systems are limited in producing a wide range of steel grades due to constraints in end rolling temperature, which affects the metallurgical structure of the workpiece, and are restricted to specific operation modes like endless mode.

Innovation Solution

A casting rolling system with a temperature actuator arranged after the last rolling stand and before or after the cooling device, which actively maintains or increases the workpiece temperature, allowing for grain growth and coarsening of precipitates, enabling the production of various steel grades and operation in multiple modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If continuous casting and rolling mode is used, then productivity is improved, but the final rolling temperature is limited by the mass flow during continuous casting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operation capabilityVSAvoidfinal rolling temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reheating device that performs preliminary heating of the workpiece after the finishing rolling mill and before the cooling device. This preliminary action allows the workpiece temperature to be increased again after rolling, enabling control of final rolling temperature independent of casting mass flow, thus resolving the contradiction between continuous operation capability and temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the final rolling temperature is controlled to achieve different metallurgical microstructures, then the types of steel that can be produced are limited, but if temperature control is relaxed, then productivity is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteel grade varietyVSAvoidoperation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic temperature control by introducing a reheating device that can adjust the workpiece temperature after rolling. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different steel grade requirements while maintaining continuous operation, enabling both versatility in steel production and operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the workpiece after rolling by introducing a reheating device. This parameter change enables different metallurgical microstructures to be achieved without restricting operation mode, allowing both diverse steel grade production and high productivity through continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If a cooling device is placed immediately after the finishing rolling mill, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the ability to achieve desired grain structures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling rateVSAvoidgrain structure
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary heating action through the reheating device before the workpiece enters the cooling device. This preliminary heating ensures the workpiece reaches the desired temperature for optimal grain structure formation before cooling begins, allowing both high cooling rates and desired grain structures to be achieved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by inserting the reheating device between the finishing rolling mill and the cooling device. This continuous temperature management ensures the workpiece receives the necessary heat treatment before cooling, enabling both efficient cooling and optimal grain structure development without interruption to the production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for the production of workpieces with metallurgically advantageous microstructures and physical properties, enabling the production of a wide range of steel grades and operation in both endless and batch modes, particularly facilitating the production of electrical sheets with desired grain structures.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature control element - for increasing or at least essentially maintaining a constant temperature of an object, in particular a workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive heating: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 2

a cooling device downstream of the finishing rolling mill

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP3573772B1Casting rolling line and method for treating a workpiece with same
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 PRIMETALS TECH AUSTRIA GMBH
  • EP3573772B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3573772B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3573772B1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The invention relates to a casting-rolling installation (10) with at least one finishing train (12), having at least a last roll stand (14) and with a cooling device (16) arranged downstream of the finishing train (12). To achieve a metallurgically advantageous microstructure, at least one temperature adjusting element (18) is provided, for increasing or at least substantially keeping constant a temperature of an object, in particular a workpiece, in order to counteract cooling of the object or the workpiece, which temperature adjusting element is arranged after the last roll stand (14) and before the cooling device (16) and/or is arranged after the last roll stand (14) and after the cooling device (16).