Endless Thin Slab Rolling Without Intermediate Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current casting-rolling composite systems are not compact or cost-effective enough for small-scale production of high-quality hot strips, particularly for annual production volumes of 1 million tons or less, and struggle with reliably producing medium to high alloy steel grades without requiring intermediate heating, which increases operating costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for producing a wound hot strip in a compact casting-rolling composite system involving a continuous casting system that forms a thin slab strand with a liquid core, which is then hot rolled exclusively from its casting heat through multiple passes without intermediate heating, achieving a thickness of 2.5 to 10 mm in the austenitic temperature range, and wound into coils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional casting-rolling composite systems are used, then production capacity is sufficient for large volumes, but the systems are not compact and have high capital expenditure for small production volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The plant is divided into compact, integrated modules: continuous casting unit directly connected to rolling mill, with in-line cooling and coil winding. This segmentation allows the system to maintain full production functionality while occupying minimal space, making it ideal for small steel mills with annual production of 1 million tons or less
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into a single continuous process line: casting, rolling, cooling, and winding are integrated without intermediate storage or handling. The casting-rolling composite system combines these operations in-line, eliminating the need for separate furnaces and reducing overall plant footprint while maintaining productivity
2Ease of operation
If intermediate heating is applied before finish rolling, then hot rolling can be performed, but operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the heat generated during the rolling process itself and the ambient temperature of the incoming slab to maintain rolling conditions. The continuous casting produces slabs at temperatures suitable for direct rolling, and the rolling mill recycles heat through the process, eliminating the need for external heating facilities and reducing operating costs
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous casting-rolling process maintains thermal continuity without interruption. The slab moves continuously from casting to rolling, preserving heat throughout the process. This continuous action eliminates the need for intermittent heating cycles and associated energy costs
3Productivity
If high casting speeds are used to achieve required throughput, then productivity increases, but reliability of continuous casting mill decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes casting parameters including speed, temperature, and slab thickness to achieve the required throughput of 0.487 m²/min while maintaining reliable operation. By carefully controlling these parameters within optimal ranges, the plant achieves both high productivity and casting mill reliability simultaneously
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 enables the reliable and cost-effective production of high-quality hot strips from a wide range of steel grades with low operating costs, reducing capital and operational expenses while maintaining high production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
continuous casting of molten steel in a continuous mold to form a thin slab strand with a liquid core
Implementation Method 2
hot rolling of the thin slab strand in the rolling mill to the hot strip by three to five rolling passes
Implementation Method 3
cooling of the hot strip in the cooling section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for endless production of a coiled hot strip (15) in a casting-rolling integrated plant. The problem to be solved is that of specifying a method by which high-quality hot strip (15) of varying steel qualities can be cost-effectively produced. The method should also be reliable and cause extremely low operating costs. Said problem is solved by a method according to claim 1.