Cooling Line Enthalpy Control for Hot Strip Width Flatness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling methods for metal strips or sheets in hot strip and heavy plate mills lack precise control over temperature distribution and mechanical properties, leading to non-homogeneous cooling and increased reject rates due to buckling or bulging, which cannot be corrected post-cooling.
Innovation Solution
The method involves calculating the initial enthalpy distribution across the width of the rolling stock, determining a target enthalpy distribution using a microstructure model, and adjusting coolant quantity and flow to achieve homogeneous mechanical properties and flatness, with dynamic control and real-time correction using measuring devices and actuators within the cooling section.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If different width sections of the strip are cooled differently to improve flatness, then flatness is improved, but temperature distribution becomes non-homogeneous leading to quality defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent calculates the initial enthalpy distribution across the strip width before cooling begins, and uses this information to determine the target enthalpy distribution. This preliminary calculation allows the cooling system to plan the cooling strategy in advance, ensuring that different width sections receive appropriate cooling to achieve both flatness and homogeneous temperature distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from surface temperature to enthalpy distribution. By controlling the enthalpy (total heat content) across the strip width rather than just surface temperature, the system can achieve homogeneous temperature distribution while maintaining proper flatness. The coolant quantity and flow rate are adjusted based on the calculated enthalpy distribution requirements.
2Temperature
If uniform cooling is applied across the strip width, then temperature distribution is homogeneous, but flatness and mechanical properties cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cooling conditions to different width sections of the strip based on the calculated initial enthalpy distribution. Each section receives cooling tailored to its specific thermal state, allowing local optimization of both temperature homogeneity and flatness. The coolant flow rate and quantity are varied across the width to achieve the target enthalpy distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses measuring devices to detect the actual enthalpy distribution or temperature profile across the strip width, compares it with the target distribution, and adjusts the coolant flow accordingly. This closed-loop feedback control ensures that both homogeneous temperature distribution and proper flatness are achieved simultaneously.
3Manufacturing precision
If coolant flow is increased to improve cooling control, then cooling precision is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cooling only where and when it is needed, based on the calculated initial enthalpy distribution. Rather than applying uniform excessive cooling across the entire strip width, the system directs coolant flow selectively to sections that require cooling to achieve the target enthalpy distribution, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cooling precision.
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 ensures optimal flatness and mechanical properties of the finished product by adjusting the enthalpy distribution and coolant flow, reducing reject rates and improving the quality of hot strips and heavy plates by maintaining even cooling and mechanical properties across the width.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling medium is fed into a cooling section... selective removal of a specific amount of heat from the rolled material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~2b
Figure 3~3a
AI summary
1. A method for setting different cooling rates over the strip width of a cooling stretch in a hot-strip mill or heavy-plate mill. 2.1. A method for setting different cooling rates of metal strips or metal plates (rolling material) over the strip width of a cooling stretch in a hot-strip mill or heavy-plate mill. 2.2 According to the method, for the calculation of the cooling rate, the initial enthalpy distribution over the material width of the rolling material before the cooling is determined, and, proceeding therefrom, a target enthalpy distribution is determined in the width direction and length direction of the rolling material while taking into account a calculation of the flatness and the mechanical properties by means of a microstructure model, and subsequently the coolant amount and the coolant curve of the cooling stretch are set. 3. See figure 1.