Roller Hearth Furnace Segmentation for Steel Slab Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional roller hearth furnaces for heating and temperature equalization of continuously cast products suffer from thermal losses and impressions on the products due to scale buildup, leading to reduced quality of rolled products and inefficient thermal processes.
Innovation Solution
A modified roller hearth furnace design with alternating heating zones and a buffer zone of lifting elements, allowing for improved thermal efficiency and energy savings, along with the option of additional heating or holding zones, and various configurations for efficient product handling and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional roller hearth furnaces are used for heating continuously cast products, then the products can be heated and temperature equalized, but thermal losses increase and the furnace length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller hearth furnace is divided into multiple heating zones with alternating heating and non-heating rollers, allowing selective heating of different product sections. This segmentation enables localized heat application, reducing overall thermal losses while maintaining effective heating and temperature equalization of the continuously cast products.
2Temperature
If conventional roller hearth furnaces are used for heating continuously cast products, then the products can be heated, but the furnace length increases leading to longer processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The furnace is segmented into alternating heating and non-heating zones, allowing multiple heating points along the furnace length. This enables more efficient heat distribution and reduces the overall furnace length required to achieve the same heating effect, thereby shortening processing time while maintaining heating capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller hearth furnace implements periodic heating action through alternating heating and non-heating roller zones. This periodic heating pattern allows heat to be applied at multiple stages during product conveyance, achieving effective heating and temperature equalization in a more compact furnace configuration.
3Temperature
If continuously cast products lie on rollers for long periods, then temperature equalization can be achieved, but scale builds up on the product underside causing impressions
Solution Approach 1:
The roller hearth furnace alternates between heating zones and non-heating zones, creating varied thermal environments that prevent uniform scale buildup. This segmentation disrupts the continuous contact between scale and product underside, reducing the formation of damaging impressions while still achieving temperature equalization through multiple heating stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic alternation of heating and non-heating roller zones creates varying thermal conditions during product conveyance. This periodic action prevents continuous scale accumulation on the product underside by interrupting the steady-state scaling process, thereby reducing impressions while maintaining temperature equalization effectiveness.
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 design enhances thermal efficiency, reduces energy consumption, minimizes product defects from scale impressions, and expands the product spectrum of the casting and rolling plant by enabling stronger heating and improved mechanical handling.
Implementation Method 1
roller hearth furnace for heating and/or temperature equalization of continuously cast products
Implementation Method 2
heating zones with alternating heating and non-heating rollers
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a roller hearth furnace (1) for heating and/or temperature equilibration of continuous cast products (2), comprising a first series of rollers (13) running in the longitudinal direction (12) and a second parallel series of rollers (15) on the outlet side (14), wherein a buffer zone (16) with lifting elements (17) for the perpendicular transport of the continuous cast product (2) is arranged between the series of rollers (13, 15). Furthermore, alternative arrangements for a further process route (28) are provided.