Fluidized Bed Heating of Semi-Finished Metal Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for heating semi-finished metal products, such as steel slabs before hot rolling, consume a significant amount of energy and result in high greenhouse gas emissions.

Innovation Solution

A heating method using a heat exchanging device with a fluidized bed containing solid particles, where hot metal products transfer heat to a fluidized bed, and semi-finished metal products receive heat from it, reducing the need for external energy input and emissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a furnace is used to heat semi-finished metal products to temperatures above 1000°C, then the metal products can undergo hot rolling, but a great amount of energy is consumed leading to greenhouse gas emissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention recovers waste heat from hot metal products (which would otherwise be discarded) and uses it to preheat semi-finished metal products. This converts a harmful waste stream into a useful resource, reducing the energy input required in traditional furnaces and thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining the necessary heating temperature for hot rolling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary heat exchange system where hot metal products transfer their excess heat to semi-finished metal products through a controlled medium. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient heat transfer from the waste heat source to the target material, reducing the need for additional external energy input in traditional heating furnaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a traditional heating furnace is used, then semi-finished metal products can be heated, but greenhouse gas emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating temperatureVSAvoidgreenhouse gas emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention captures and recovers waste heat from hot metal products that would otherwise be discarded to the environment. This recovered heat is then utilized to preheat semi-finished metal products, transforming a discarded resource into a valuable asset and reducing the carbon footprint of the metal production process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 method effectively reduces greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing the heat from hot metal products to heat semi-finished metal products, minimizing energy consumption and emissions.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a gas into said chamber so as to form a fluidized bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluidization: Fluidisation

Implementation Method 2

the temperature of said inserted at least one hot metal product is greater than the temperature of the fluidized bed such that said at least one hot metal product is able to transfer heat to said fluidized bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the temperature of said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated is smaller than the temperature of said fluidized bed such that said fluidized bed is able to transfer heat to said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250271214A1Heating method of a semi-finished metal products

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 ARCELORMITTAL SA

AI summary

A method for heating at least one semi-finished metal products to be further laminated, via a heat exchanging device comprising a chamber containing solid particles, supporting means able to support semi-finished metal product and a gas injector, having the successive steps of: i. injecting a gas into said chamber so as to form a fluidized bed, ii. inserting at least one hot semi-finished metal product such that said at least one hot semi-finished metal product is able to transfer heat to said fluidized bed, iii. inserting said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated such that said fluidized bed is able to transfer heat to said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated, iv. taking out said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated of said fluidized bed when the temperature of said at least one semi-finished metal product to be further laminated is less than 100° C. below the temperature of said fluidized bed.