Hydrodynamic Pad Strip Drying for Low-Residue Lubricant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roller dryers for rolling mills are inefficient in removing lubricant from rolled strips, leading to surface contamination, wear, and imperfections, particularly for high-speed operations with stainless steel strips.
Innovation Solution
A method using hydrodynamic pads that slide on a layer of fluid to block and suction residual lubricant without contact, employing supply and suction orifices to ensure minimal lubricant residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If roller dryers are used to remove lubricant from rolled strips, then drying efficiency is improved, but surface quality deteriorates due to contact marks and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A fluid layer (air or gas) is introduced as an intermediary between the drying surface and the rolled strip. This fluid layer enables heat and mass transfer for drying while preventing direct contact between the roller surface and the strip, thereby eliminating contact marks and preserving surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses pneumatic principles by introducing a fluid (air or gas) between the drying roller and the strip. The fluid layer acts as a cushion that allows drying to occur through convection and evaporation without mechanical contact, thus maintaining surface integrity while achieving effective lubricant removal.
2Device complexity
If large-roller dryers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but drying effectiveness worsens due to imperfect contact and lubricant passage
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical contact systems with a pneumatic/fluid-based drying mechanism. The fluid layer enables effective drying across the entire strip width without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thus improving drying effectiveness while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the drying mechanism from mechanical contact to fluid-mediated heat and mass transfer. By altering the fundamental drying parameter from contact pressure to fluid flow characteristics, the system achieves better drying effectiveness without increasing complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If small-roller dryers with counter-rollers are used, then contact perfection is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid layer serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for complex actuator systems to maintain perfect contact. The fluid naturally distributes across the strip surface, providing uniform drying without requiring multiple controlled rollers and their associated control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical contact system with multiple controlled rollers with a fluid-mediated drying system. This substitution eliminates the need for complex actuators and control mechanisms while achieving effective drying across the entire strip width.
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
The method effectively removes lubricant without surface contact, preserving strip quality and reducing wear, ensuring a low lubricant residue for further processing.
Implementation Method 1
the hydrodynamic pads sliding on the rolled strip by means of a layer of fluid
Implementation Method 2
sucking in, via a suction orifice located downstream of the hydrodynamic pads, at least a portion of a residual fluid layer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for drying a rolled strip is disclosed comprising: supplying a drying facility comprising two hydrodynamic pads, respectively extending in length over a width of the rolled strip, advancing rolled strip between two hydrodynamic pads in an advancement direction defined from upstream to downstream, applying pressure of the hydrodynamic pads, one towards the other, on either side of the rolled strip, following a clamping plane transverse to the strip, during the advancement of rolled strip, the hydrodynamic pads sliding on the rolled strip by means of a layer of fluid, each of the hydrodynamic pads carrying out a first drying operation by blocking at least one portion of a lubricating layer of the strip coming from upstream towards downstream, and sucking in, via a suction orifice located downstream of hydrodynamic pads, at least a portion of a residual fluid layer, thus performing a second drying operation of the strip.