Casting-Rolling Line Section Acceleration for Thick Strip Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing casting-rolling mills face inefficiencies in energy consumption and mechanical stress due to the trade-offs between continuous and batch operations, particularly with increasing final thickness and strength of rolled products, leading to temperature losses, scale formation, and undesirable microstructural changes.
Innovation Solution
A method and plant design that combines continuous and batch operations by severing a section from the endless strand post-first rolling stand group, accelerating it, and optimizing temperature control using a conveyor line with heating and temperature-maintaining devices to ensure sufficient kinetic energy for coiling and uniform microstructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If continuous operation is used to maintain uninterrupted material flow, then energy efficiency is improved for thin products, but temperature losses and scale formation increase for thick products due to reduced throughput speed
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous strand is divided into individual sections by a separating device between the first and second rolling stand groups. This allows each section to be processed independently with optimized speed control, enabling thick products to be accelerated to maintain temperature while thin products can be processed continuously for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed control where the throughput speed is adjusted based on the final thickness of the rolled product. For thick products, the speed is increased to reduce temperature losses, while for thin products, continuous operation at lower speeds maintains energy efficiency. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and temperature maintenance.
2Temperature
If batch operation is used to increase throughput speed for thick products, then temperature losses are reduced, but mechanical stress on components increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the continuous strand into discrete sections using a separating device, the system combines benefits of both continuous and batch operations. The segmentation allows for controlled acceleration of individual sections to reduce temperature losses, while the continuous feeding from the casting device minimizes mechanical stress compared to traditional batch operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from binary continuous/batch mode to a continuous spectrum of speeds. The throughput speed can be continuously adjusted based on product thickness, allowing optimal balance between temperature maintenance and mechanical stress reduction for each specific product specification.
3Use of energy by moving object
If low exit speed is accepted for thick products in continuous operation, then energy consumption is reduced, but coiling problems and microstructural changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the exit speed from the second rolling stand group based on the final thickness and strength of the rolled product. For thick, high-strength products, the exit speed is increased to ensure reliable coiling and prevent microstructural changes, while for thinner products, lower speeds are sufficient to maintain energy efficiency. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between energy consumption and coiling reliability.
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 approach enhances energy efficiency, minimizes mechanical stress, and ensures high-quality rolling by maintaining consistent final rolling temperatures and kinetic energy, allowing for a wide range of thicknesses and strengths to be produced safely and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a final rolling temperature is achieved by heating the endless strand or the severed section
Implementation Method 2
a temperature-maintaining device for thermally shielding the endless strand or the severed section
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a casting and rolling mill (10). The method provides that an endless strand (12) is produced by casting. This endless strand (12) is fed to a first rolling stand group (14). In a first operating state, a section (16) is severed from said endless strand (12) after it has passed through the first rolling stand group (14), preferably by means of a pendulum shear (18). The section (16) severed from the endless strand (12) is then fed to a further rolling stand group (20) for processing. Furthermore, the section (16) severed from the endless strand (12) is accelerated between the first rolling stand group (14) and the further rolling stand group (20).