Scale Barriers in Roller Hearth Furnace Rollers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Fiber-insulated furnace rollers in roller hearth furnaces are prematurely damaged by flying scale or scale particles, leading to reduced thermal insulation and increased energy consumption due to premature replacement.

Innovation Solution

Installation of transversely extending rod-shaped scale barriers in the free spaces between furnace rollers to intercept and divert scale particles into scale hoppers, preventing them from reaching the insulation and extending the service life of the rollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of stationary object

If fiber material or refractory wool is used for thermal insulation of furnace rollers, then the weight of the insulation is significantly reduced, but the insulation is attacked by flying scale particles and gradually worn away

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of thermal insulationVSAvoidservice life of thermal insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Scale barriers are introduced as intermediary elements positioned between the flying scale particles and the fiber insulation. These barriers intercept and divert scale particles before they can reach and damage the insulation material, thereby protecting the lightweight fiber insulation from degradation while maintaining its weight advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective system is segmented into multiple components: the scale barriers positioned at intervals between furnace rollers, and the scale hoppers below to collect diverted scale particles. This segmentation allows the lightweight fiber insulation to remain in place while distributed barrier elements provide protection against scale particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If scale hoppers are arranged below the furnace rollers to collect scale, then scale particles are captured and disposed of, but the scale can still penetrate and damage the insulating fiber material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale particle collectionVSAvoidscale particle penetration into insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Scale barriers serve as intermediary protective elements positioned between the scale particles and the fiber insulation. These barriers intercept scale particles in their flight path and divert them into the scale hoppers below, preventing direct penetration of the insulation while maintaining effective scale collection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 scale barriers effectively prevent damage to the thermal insulation, increasing the service life of the furnace rollers and reducing energy consumption by maintaining insulation integrity over a longer period.

Implementation Method 1

the supporting axle made of a fiber material, located next to and between the support rings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

the scale barriers are provided in the spaces between each pair of successive furnace rollers... the flying scale or tinder particles are captured by the tinder barriers and directed into the tinder funnel below

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier interception: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP3830507B1Use of scale barriers in a roller hearth furnace
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 SMS GROUP GMBH
  • EP3830507B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention relates to a roller hearth furnace, in particular a tunnel furnace of a thin-slabbing plant, comprising multiple cooled furnace rollers (1) which are arranged in a mutually spaced manner in the transport direction (T) in order to transport a strip or a slab, have a number of support rings on a rotatably mounted axle, and are formed with an insulation in the axial region between two adjacent support rings and adjacently to the respective outer support rings, said insulation consisting of a highly insulating fiber material, and scale funnels (2) arranged below the furnace rollers (1). The aim of the invention is to substantially reduce the negative effect of scale or scale particles on the insulating fiber material of the furnace rollers and thus increase the service life of the furnace rollers. According to the invention, this is achieved in that scale barriers (4) extending transversely to the transport direction (T) in the manner of the furnace rollers (1) are provided in the free areas between each two successive furnace rollers (1) in the transport direction (T).