U.S. patent application number 12/733667 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-04 for compact, flexible csp installation for continuous, semi-continuous and batch operation.
Invention is credited to Hartmut Hof, Matthias Peters, Jurgen Seidel, Peter Sudau.
Application Number | 20100275667 12/733667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40348698 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100275667 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seidel; Jurgen ; et
al. |
November 4, 2010 |
COMPACT, FLEXIBLE CSP INSTALLATION FOR CONTINUOUS, SEMI-CONTINUOUS
AND BATCH OPERATION
Abstract
The invention relates to a compact, flexible CSP installation
(1,101,201,301,401) for endless, semi-endless and batch operation
with a casting machine, a roughing stand group (7,111,211) and a
finishing stand group (12,118,218), wherein for the batch operation
or the semi-endless operation, a coil store (8,113,213,501) is
integrated into the roll table, which stores the pre-strip or slab
coming from the roughing stand, with the coil store being
deactivated in the case of endless operation. The coil store
(8,113,213,501) is designed for an increased holding quantity of
pre-strips or slabs such that two, three or more pre-strips or
slabs can be wound to jumbo coils on a coil.
Inventors: |
Seidel; Jurgen; (Kreuztal,
DE) ; Sudau; Peter; (Hilchenbach, DE) ; Hof;
Hartmut; (Erndtebruck, DE) ; Peters; Matthias;
(Kreuztal, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
666 THIRD AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
40348698 |
Appl. No.: |
12/733667 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
September 4, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2008/007238 |
371 Date: |
June 29, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
72/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21B 1/463 20130101;
B21B 2015/0057 20130101; B21B 2015/0064 20130101; B21B 1/466
20130101; B21B 39/006 20130101; B21B 13/22 20130101; B21B 39/084
20130101; Y02P 70/127 20151101; Y02P 70/10 20151101; B21B 45/004
20130101; B21B 1/46 20130101; B21B 45/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/127 |
International
Class: |
B21B 3/00 20060101
B21B003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 043 817.8 |
Sep 18, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 044 649.9 |
Oct 5, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 048 116.2 |
Jan 4, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 003 222.0 |
Claims
1. A compact, flexible CSP installation (1,101,201,301,401)
optionally for endless, semi-endless and batch operation with a
casting machine (2,102,202), a roughing stand group (7,111,211) and
a finishing stand group (12,118,218), characterized in that for
batch operation or semi-endless operation, a coil store
(8,113,213,501) is integrated into the roll table, which stores the
pre-strip or slab coming from the roughing stand, with the coil
store being deactivated in the case of endless operation.
2. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coil store (8,113,213,501) is designed for an increased holding
amount of pre-strip or slab.
3. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coil store (8,113,213,501) is designed to hold two, three or
more coils.
4. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
two, three or more pre-strips or slabs are wound to jumbo coils on
a coil.
5. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the coil store (8,113,213,501) is thermally insulated and/or able
to be heated.
6. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
with a deactivated coil store (8,113,213,501) a roll table covering
is used for better thermal insulation of the roll table.
7. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the winding of the jumbo coils takes place in a coil box or winding
furnaces.
8. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the production of jumbo coils takes place preferably during an
interruption of rolling in the finishing train.
9. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in that
the jumbo coils are removed from the rolling line for intermediate
storage, are stored intermediately in a coil furnace and/or if
applicable are later delivered to the rolling process again.
10. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that depending on the casting speed, the installation is operated
in endless mode, semi-endless mode or batch operation.
11. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that before or/and behind the coil store, a heating of the
pre-strip or slab takes place.
12. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that the heating of the pre-strip or slab preferably takes place
inductively.
13. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that the supply of energy of the heating arrangement is carried out
depending on the measured or calculated pre-strip temperature such
that as constant a pre-strip temperature as possible occurs over
the length behind the heating unit before the finishing stand
group.
14. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that with the induction heating arrangement, provision is made if
required to set higher temperatures before the finishing stand
group than the casting machine outlet temperature.
15. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that a looper or a strip loop region is arranged between the
roughing stand group and the coil store.
16. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that a driver is arranged before the coil store.
17. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that the moving or lifting over of the coils from the winding
station to the unwinding station takes place during winding.
18. The CSP installation according to claim 1, characterized in
that the removal of the cold strand or the transporting away of cut
plates takes place in the region of the coil store.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a compact, flexible CSP
installation for endless, semi-endless and batch operation, as in
particular in accordance with the introductory clause of claim
1.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In CSP installations (Continuous Strip Production), the
strip is typically produced in a continuous process, as the name
already suggests. This means that the casting process and the
rolling process take place directly in succession from almost one
heat.
[0003] The DE 10 2006 054 932 A1 discloses a CSP installation in
which both an induction furnace and a holding furnace are provided
between the casting machine and the rolling train, in order to keep
the thin slab to temperature or to increase the temperature
slightly, in which both the holding furnace and also the induction
furnace are activated, deactivated or respectively controlled or
regulated depending on the type of operation.
[0004] EP 0 286 862 A1 discloses an endless rolling, in which the
casting and the rolling processes are directly coupled.
[0005] DD 282 185 A5 discloses a discontinuous process, in which
the casting takes place in a casting house, in which at the end of
casting, after running through a roughing stand, coils of starting
material are produced. These coils are then transported into the
hall of the rolling process, in order to be rolled there.
[0006] These installations have the disadvantage that they can
either be operated in discontinuous operation or only in continuous
operation. With a changeover of rolls, in the case of a continuous
operation it is no longer possible to maintain the operation. In
the case of a discontinuous operation, for many types of steel it
is unfavourable to manufacture them in such a way, because losses
in quality are connected therewith.
[0007] In addition, these installations are generally very long in
their extent, which leads to a considerable cost factor in
manufacture.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION, OBJECT, SOLUTION, ADVANTAGES
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
installation of the above-mentioned type, which allows a flexible
change of type of operation and is nevertheless relatively short in
construction.
[0009] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a
compact, flexible CSP installation for endless, semi-endless and
batch operation with a casting machine, a roughing stand group and
a finishing stand group, in which for batch operation or
semi-endless operation a coil store is integrated into the roll
table, which stores the pre-strip or slab coming from the roughing
stand, with the coil store being deactivated in the case of endless
operation. Thereby, a flexible utilization of the installation can
be realized with, at the same time, a short type of
construction.
[0010] It is, in addition, expedient here when a furnace, such as
for example a tunnel furnace, which also serves as a store, is
arranged before the roughing stand group.
[0011] It is also advantageous if a heating arrangement, such as an
induction heating arrangement for example, is arranged between the
roughing stand group and the finishing stand group.
[0012] It is, in addition, expedient, if the coil store is designed
for an increased holding amount of pre-strip or slab.
[0013] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the coil store is
designed to receive two, three or more coils. In this respect, the
coil store has an increased holding capacity with a short length of
the installation.
[0014] It is, in addition, expedient if the coil store is thermally
insulated and/or is heatable.
[0015] In addition, it is advantageous if in the case of a
deactivated coil store, a roll table covering is used for better
thermal insulation of the roll table. Thermal losses can thereby be
minimized and the energy which is to be expended for tempering can
be reduced.
[0016] Advantageous further developments are described in the
sub-claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The invention is described in further detail below on the
basis of example embodiments with the aid of the drawings, in
which:
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an installation
according to the invention,
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an installation
according to the invention in side view,
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an installation
according to the invention of FIG. 2 in top view,
[0021] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the installation
according to the invention in side view for the continuous
operating mode,
[0022] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the installation
according to the invention according to FIG. 4 in side view for the
discontinuous operation or the semi-endless operation,
[0023] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an installation
according to the invention in side view for the continuous
operation mode,
[0024] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the installation
according to the invention according to FIG. 6 in side view for the
discontinuous operation or the semi-endless operation,
[0025] FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic illustration of an installation
according to the invention in side view for the continuous
operation mode,
[0026] FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic illustration of the installation
according to the invention according to FIG. 8 in side view for the
discontinuous operation or the semi-endless operation,
[0027] FIG. 10 shows a so-called coil store with increased holding
capacity in side view, and
[0028] FIG. 11 shows a view of the coil store according to FIG. 10
from above.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic illustration of a compact,
flexible CSP installation 1 for endless, semi-endless and batch
operation. The installation 1 has here a casting machine 2 with a
caster outlet 3. After the caster outlet 3, a cutter 4 is provided,
in order to be able to cut the strand 5 emerging out from the
caster outlet 3. After the cutter 4, a furnace 6 is provided, such
as preferably a tunnel furnace, which heats the strand 5 up to the
desired temperature. The furnace 6 is therefore arranged between
the caster outlet 3 and the cutter 4 on the one hand and the
subsequent roughing stand group 7 on the other hand. In the example
embodiment of FIG. 1, the roughing stand group 7 has two roughing
stands. However, according to another idea in accordance with the
invention, the roughing stand group 7 may also have one or three
roughing stands. In this example embodiment, after the roughing
stand group 7 a so-called coil store 8 is provided for the strand
material, in order to wind the strand material for the batch
operation into coils and to store them intermediately. The coil
store 8 is designed in such a way that it can for example hold and
store intermediately so much strand material that, for example, a
changeover of roll is possible in one or more finishing stands of
the finishing stand group, without the casting machine 2 having to
be restricted or shut down.
[0030] After the roughing stand group 7 and the coil store 8,
advantageously a straightening roller set 9 is provided.
Thereafter, a cutter 10 can again be arranged. After the cutter 10,
optionally an edge heater 11 is provided, after which an induction
furnace 13 is arranged. After the induction furnace 13, the
finishing stand group 12, which is also known as the finishing
train, is provided, which in the example embodiment of FIG. 1 has
six finishing stands. According to a further idea in accordance
with the invention, it is also advantageous if with the arrangement
of three roughing stands of the roughing stand group, the finishing
stand group 12 has five finishing stands, for example.
[0031] In batch operation, the casting machine 2 no longer operates
inline or continuously with the roughing stand group 7 and the
finishing stand group 12. This brings about a rolling in both stand
groups 7, 12 with increased rolling speed, which leads to smaller
temperature losses on the pre-strip and the finished strip, which
leads to advantages, because thereby in the inductive heating
arrangement 13, less energy has to be introduced.
[0032] A cooling section 14 and a further cutter 15, and also the
winding spool 16 are arranged after the finishing stand group
12.
[0033] It is advantageous in the arrangement of the furnace 6
before the roughing stand group 7, that depending on the length of
the tunnel furnace 6, the latter can serve as a buffer or as a
holding furnace.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a CSP installation 101
according to the invention in a side view, with FIG. 3 showing the
CSP installation 101 in a view from above.
[0035] Through the use of an installation 101 according to FIG. 2
or 3, a coupled, fully continuous casting/rolling process,
so-called endless rolling, or optionally an uncoupled,
discontinuous processing of individual slabs in the so-called batch
operation is possible. The installation 101 is constructed here in
a very space-saving manner, so that only approximately half an
installation length is required compared with a conventional CSP
installation. The installation 101 nevertheless allows a change of
working roll in the roughing stand group and/or in the finishing
stand group without, in so doing, having to interrupt the casting
process.
[0036] The installation 101 preferably has the following
components, with individual items of these components also being
able to be arranged at a distance and/or elsewhere in the flow of
material.
[0037] At the inlet side, the installation 101 has a casting
installation 102 which can preferably also be equipped with a
strand cooling device 103, which can be provided with a possibly
close cooling zone division for a temperature zone regulation over
the width, in order to be able to set a homogeneous outlet
temperature from the casting- or continuous casting installation
102.
[0038] Arranged after the casting installation 102, a scale washer
104 and/or a slab cleaning device 104 is provided, which can clean
the emerging slab accordingly. A slab cutter 105 is provided,
arranged after this. The slab cutter 105 can be used to separate
off the cold strand at the sprue, to separate the slabs for example
in individual slabs, to separate after every nth slab with, e.g.
n=2, 3 or greater for semi-endless rolling operation and/or for
chopping the slab in the case of any disturbances which may be
present.
[0039] Subsequently in the flow of material, a cold strand removal
device 106 is provided. Here, for example, the cold strand can be
taken at the sprue out of the transportation line of the
installation 101 via a bracket or by means of a chain upwards or to
the side via a displacement unit.
[0040] In addition, in the flow of material a roll table covering
107 is provided, which can be swung down to reduce the temperature
loss of the slab. When the coverings 107 are swung upwards, cut
slab plates can also be carried out in this working area in the
case of longer disturbances.
[0041] In addition, heated ferries and/or furnace parts 108 are
provided, which can be arranged one behind the other, for example.
The heated ferries 108 and/or furnace parts can also serve as
additional slab stores for the time or the mode of operation in
which for example a change of rolls is carried out in the roughing
stand group 111 and/or in the finishing stand group 118, in which
slabs or divided slabs 109 can be taken out from the main
transportation line. Alternatively, instead of a ferry, a furnace,
such as for example a lifting beam furnace, can be used alongside
the main transportation line. On transportation through the ferry
and/or the furnace, preferably the slab temperature is
substantially maintained here or is only slightly reduced.
[0042] At low casting speeds, a slab heating can also be provided
here and carried out in order to be able to set flexibly almost
constant inlet temperatures for the subsequent rolling process. The
two ferries 108, arranged one behind the other, have individually
or in total preferably the length of a slab 109 with a maximum coil
weight plus a tolerance, so that some play can be kept for swinging
the slab. The ferry- or furnace region 108 is therefore constructed
so as to be relatively short in its structural length.
[0043] Arranged after these elements, if applicable scale washers
110 are again arranged before the roughing stand group 111, also
known as roughing train, roughing rolling train or roughing stand
train. The roughing stand group 111 preferably consists of one to
four roughing stands 112, preferably 2 or 3 roughing stands. In the
roughing stand group 111, the slab is rolled down from for example
70 to 110 mm to approximately 15 to 50 mm. In the so-called
discontinuous operation, also known as batch operation, the
roughing stand group rolling speed, i.e. the rolling speed in the
roughing stand group 111, can be set independently of the casting
speed of the casting installation 102. The choice of the roughing
stand group rolling speed takes place advantageously so that the
maximum furnace transportation speed of for example 1 m/s and the
maximum winding speed in the coil store of for example 3 m/s can be
maintained.
[0044] In order to realize such different speeds, a speed
coordination takes place between the roughing stand group 111 and
the so-called coil store 113, also known as the coilbox. The coil
store 113 constitutes here a device for the winding or collecting
of strand material and for if applicable chronologically staggered
unwinding or guiding out of strand material.
[0045] To balance out mass flow differences between the roughing
stand group 111 and the coil store 113, a so-called looper or a
sagging strip region with a strip loop regulating arrangement can
be provided there. This can be important in particular for thinner
pre-strips.
[0046] For the further development of the installation, a leveler
and an induction heating arrangement (not illustrated) can be
arranged behind the roughing stand group 111 and before the coilbox
113. This arrangement can preferably be activated in the endless
mode.
[0047] As can be seen in FIG. 2, a roll table covering 114 can be
provided in the region of the coil store 113. Instead of the coil
store 113, a roll table covering 114 can be provided for the
pre-strip, whereby the pre-strip is thermally insulated, so that
the expenditure of energy is reduced, in order to keep the
pre-strip at the desired temperature. This is particularly
advantageous in the endless mode, i.e. rolling at casting
speed.
[0048] The roll table covering 114 can be provided alternatively to
the coil store 113 or can if applicable also cover the coil store
113 itself. If the coil store 113 is not required for the
continuous operation of the installation 101, then the winding and
unwinding mechanisms of the coil store 113 can be deactivated or
swung out, so that the pre-strip can pass the region of the coil
store 113. In this case, a lowering of the roll table covering 114
would therefore bring about an improved insulation of the roll
table for the pre-strip.
[0049] The coil store 113 is expediently designed for holding
normal individual coils and/or so-called jumbo coils. Individual
coils here are coils, i.e. windings of individual pre-strips or
individual slabs. So-called jumbo coils are windings of several
pre-strips or of several slabs. The jumbo coils are therefore
typically windings of two or three or more pre-strips or slabs. For
the case where the coil store 113 has a holding capacity of jumbo
coils, accordingly several pre-strips or slabs can be wound and
stored and unwound again and delivered to the further process.
[0050] By the winding of the pre-strips or slabs, space is saved in
particular in length, which therefore reduces the length of the
installation with, at the same time, a very large store.
[0051] In continuous operation of the installation or in endless
mode, or with non-use of the coil store 113, as stated above, the
length region of the coil store is covered by a roll table covering
114 in order to reduce pre-strip temperature losses. Instead of the
coil store 113 with passive thermal insulation laterally and from
above, alternatively also a heated coil store can be arranged
directly behind the roughing stands or alternatively one or two
coil furnaces.
[0052] After the coil store 113, an arrangement of straightening
rollers 115 is provided. These are intended to produce a straight,
undulation-free pre-strip form, in order to be able if applicable
to transport the pre-strip reliably through the following induction
heating arrangement.
[0053] The cutter 116 provided after the straightening rollers 115
serves for conditioning the strip end form at the head and/or at
the end after the coil store 113 and/or before the induction
heating arrangement 117 or eliminates non-straight pre-strip end
forms, such as a ski shape for example.
[0054] With the subsequent induction heating arrangement 117, the
pre-strip can be brought individually to the desired finishing
stand group inlet temperature. Thereby, higher temperatures can be
set, such as for example 1350.degree. C. in the rolling of
grain-oriented silicon steel (GO Si steel) or with other materials.
Higher temperatures can also be set with thin strip rolling with a
thickness of H<1.5 mm. The temperature can also be increased
when the pre-strip temperature is too low. Low temperatures can
also be produced, without or with only a small energy input, so
that in the case of normal strips energy can be saved.
[0055] Furthermore, homogeneous temperatures can therefore be
produced over the pre-strip length, in order to thereby balance out
any temperature irregularities at the head and end, which may
possibly have occurred in the coil store 113, through different
energy introduction over the pre-strip length.
[0056] In the case where the installation 101 is operated in an
endless mode with a relatively low casting speed and hence a low
rolling speed in the roughing- and finishing stand group 111, 118,
the induction heating arrangement 117 serves for setting a desired
rolling temperature.
[0057] This induction heating arrangement 117 can be assisted
before the finishing stand group optionally also by further
induction heating arrangements within the finishing stand group 118
itself. The induction heating arrangement 117 before the finishing
stand group 118 is advantageously constructed so as to be
transversely displaceable or able to be swung up, so that the
induction heating arrangement can be replaced by a passively
insulating or even heated roll table covering as required.
[0058] In the material flow after the heating arrangement 117,
cleaning devices 119, such as scale washers for example, are
provided, which are arranged before the finishing stand group
118.
[0059] In the following finishing stand group 118, also known as
the finishing train, advantageously 3 to 7 finishing stands 120,
for example 5 finishing stands 120, are provided. In the finishing
stand group 118, the pre-strip is rolled down to an end thickness
of approximately 0.8-16 mm.
[0060] Between the stands 120 of the finishing stand group 118, in
addition heating arrangements 121 can be provided, in order to heat
up the strip material.
[0061] After the finishing stand group 118, a cooling section 122
is provided, in order to cool down the rolled strip 123, before it
can be cut by the strip cutter 124, such as for example the thin
strip cutter, and is then wound on spools of a spool installation
125. The thin strip cutter is used here for cutting the strips 123
shortly before the spool, when the installation 101 is operated in
the endless or semi-endless mode.
[0062] For the installation 101 of FIGS. 2 and 3 there are now
various modes of operation in which the installation 101 can be
operated.
[0063] The so-called batch operation, also known as discontinuous
operation of the installation, has a discontinuous operation in the
roughing- and finishing stand group 111, 118. At the beginning of a
casting process, on the putting into operation of an installation
101, with general casting problems or with steels which are
difficult to cast, the casting speed is set relatively low. At low
casting speeds, an endless rolling with this low mass flow from the
casting installation 102 up to the finishing train 118 is not
efficient for temperature reasons, or uneconomical. To reduce the
energy losses, the batch operation is therefore preferably used. In
the batch process, the casting process, the rolling in the roughing
train 111 and the finish rolling in the finishing train 118 are
partially at least uncoupled and therefore take place at a
different speed or with a different mass flow.
[0064] After the sprue, firstly the cold strand is removed and the
thin slab is cropped in the slab head region. After reaching the
desired coil weight, the repeated cropping takes place for each
slab at the cutter 105 behind the continuous casting installation
102. In the roughing train 111, the rolling to pre-strip thickness
then takes place, and thereafter the winding of the pre-strip in a
coil store 113. After the unwinding and the re-heating of the
pre-strip, the rolling follows in the finishing train 118 at a
likewise individually adjustable rolling speed, and the further
transportation through cooling section 122 and finally the winding
in the spool installation 125.
[0065] The so-called endless operation is a further mode of
operation, in which the casting machine 102 and the roughing stand
group 111 and the finishing stand group 118 are coupled. With an
increasing casting speed, and depending on the end thicknesses of
the band which are to be rolled, a switchover takes place into the
endless operation. An advantageous range for endless rolling lies
for example in a casting thickness of 80 mm and a casting speed of
7 m/mm or, expressed generally, the endless operation is
advantageous with a mass flow in the order of casting
thickness*casting speed.gtoreq.550 mm*m/min. With this endless
operation mode, the cutter 124 is used before the spool 125 for
separating the strips. The pre-strip is moved straight through the
regions in which otherwise the pre-strips would be wound in the
coil store 113. In order to minimize the temperature loss of the
pre-strip, roll stand coverings 114 are swung in in this region.
The set of straightening rollers 115 can also be constructed
advantageously if applicable so as to be transversely displaceable
or it can be advantageously moved up with a large space, in order
to also be able to house a thermal insulation here between the roll
table rollers and/or over the roll table. Before the pre-strip runs
into the finishing stand group 118, it is heated inductively so
that a sufficiently high rolling temperature occurs and so that the
rolling takes place in the austenitic range. In the subsequent
endless finish rolling, if applicable optionally also the inductive
heating arrangements 121 are used inside the finishing stand group
118, which assist the inductive heating arrangement 117 before the
finishing stand group 118.
[0066] In the discontinuous operation or starting process at the
strip head, the thermal insulations, on the other hand, are in a
waiting position at a distance over or adjacent to the strip.
[0067] Furthermore, a so-called semi-endless operation can be
realized in the finishing stand group 118. The coil store 113 with
increased capacity, already mentioned above, also named the jumbo
coilbox, offers the possibility to store two or more pre-strips.
If, for example, a change of rolls is only to be carried out in the
finishing stand group 118 or a longer interruption occurs in the
finishing stand group 118, then in addition to the storage in the
furnace before the roughing stand group 111, the jumbo coilbox 113
can also serve as a store. This means that the casting installation
102 and the roughing train 111 continue to operate in a
semi-endless mode, in which they are coupled, and a rolling takes
place in the roughing stand group 111 and a subsequent winding
takes place in the jumbo coilbox 113 at casting speed.
[0068] When the finishing stand group 118 is ready to operate
again, then the semi-endless rolling takes place in the finishing
stand group 118 of the two or more strips, which were stored
intermediately in the jumbo coil store 113. The separation of the
strips is completed at the cutter 124 before the spool 125. In the
semi-endless mode, the rolling can be operated in the finishing
stand group 118 advantageously at increased speed and with
minimized inductive energy supply and/or with an insert of an
intermediate stand cooling arrangement.
[0069] A coupled operation mode of casting installation 102 and
roughing train 111 are advantageously set with higher mass flow
expressed in casting thickness*casting speed.gtoreq.350 mm*m/min. A
calculation model with a control unit advantageously monitors that
the rolling in the roughing stand group 111 and the subsequent
winding and unwinding in the coil store 113 for centre and/or edge
do not take place below a threshold temperature, such as for
instance a transformation temperature of a steel--i.e. in the
austenitic range. If the furnace 108 is to be constructed longer
before the roughing stand group 111, for example to store two slabs
or several slabs one behind the other, then a rolling in the
roughing stand group 111 is possible at a higher speed
independently of the casting machine 102 and is expedient with
regard to energy, and in this constellation a semi-endless rolling
is then also possible in the finishing stand group 118.
[0070] According to the invention, a roller change can be carried
out in the roughing stand group 111 and/or in the finishing stand
group 118 with an active casting process.
[0071] On changing the working rollers or in the case of
interruptions in one of the rolling trains, the casting process is
preferably not to be interrupted or disturbed too greatly.
Therefore, it is advantageous to install a buffer for the slabs.
For this, a short roller hearth-type furnace 108 is provided behind
the casting installation 102 in a CSP installation according to the
invention, in which, due to the method, four half slabs find a
place. The furnace 108 is constructed in its development in the
form of a particular type of ferry, as is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Here, two ferry groups 108a are arranged one behind the other in
the transportation direction, both of which can be moved
transversely independently of each other. Alternatively, the front
ferry group 108a is also installed fixedly as a furnace part behind
the casting installation 102. In these two ferry groups, in total
the four half thin slabs find a place. The fields drawn with the
broken line are withdrawal parking positions for the ferries 108a.
A transportation of slabs from ferry 108a to ferry 108a alongside
the rolling line is also possible, so that individually from one or
other ferry a transporting back of slabs into the rolling line can
be carried out. This arrangement facilitates the flexible
transportation back of slabs after an interruption to rolling, for
example in the case of a roll change or a disturbance.
[0072] As a further alternative development, more than 2 ferry
parts or lifting beam furnace paces adjacent to each other are also
conceivable as the second ferry group 108a, in order to increase
the storage capacity with the same overall length of the
installation. If the ferries 108a, like furnaces, are full, because
for example the interruption of rolling lasts longer, then the
following modes of operation can be provided.
[0073] In the case of an interruption of rolling in the roughing
stand group 111, a cutting and discharging of slabs can be carried
out before the furnace 108 in the region of the cold strand
discharge device 106.
[0074] Interruptions of rolling in the finishing stand group 111
are generally necessary more often. In this case, in this time the
pre-strips are rolled out to desired pre-strip thicknesses and are
wound in the coil store 113. These coils are then carried out from
the rolling line and sold directly or stored intermediately in a
coil furnace adjacent to the rolling line, and are later inserted
into the process again. In the time of roll change in the finishing
stand 120, optionally the casting speed is reduced, in order to
increase the buffer time.
[0075] During the rolling of the strip, a setting of specific
pre-strip temperatures by cooling or by heating is helpful.
[0076] Through the choice of the rolling speed in the roughing
stand group 111 and cooling inside or behind the roughing stand
group 111, the pre-strip temperatures can be influenced in a wide
range. This can be of interest for particular materials or tube
qualities. Alternatively or in addition, a cooling arrangement can
also be provided before the finishing stand group 118. Another
possibility for cooling also exists by swinging out or moving out
the induction heating arrangement 117 and the swinging in there of
a pre-strip cooler. The heating takes place by the use of a, for
example, inductive heating arrangement before the finishing stand
group 118.
[0077] FIGS. 4 to 9 show CSP installations 201, 301 and 401 for use
in a coupled, fully continuous casting/rolling process, the
so-called endless rolling, and optionally in an uncoupled
discontinuous use of individual pre-strips in batch operation. In
addition, a semi-endless operation is also able to be practised in
the finishing train. Here, FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 show the installation
for continuous operation and FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 show the respective
installation for batch operation or for semi-endless operation.
[0078] The installations 201, 301 or respectively 401 are
constructed in a space-saving manner, in which advantageous
developments fully achieve half the installation length compared
with a conventional CSP installation. The structure of the
installations nevertheless allows a change of working rolls in the
finishing stand group without interrupting the casting process.
[0079] The installation 201 has a 3-stand roughing stand group 211
and a 5-stand finishing stand group 218. After the casting
installation 202, a scale washer 204 is provided, then the roughing
stand group 211 and thereafter a cutter 205. After the cutter 205,
exclusion and removal from the strand can take place. The removal
device 206 is provided for this. For better thermal insulation, the
region of the removal device 206 can be provided with a roll table
covering 207 in the case of non-active removal. Thereafter, a
furnace 208, preferably an induction furnace, is provided, which
can heat up or temper the strip material before the coil store 213.
If the coil store 213 is not required, as in continuous operation,
then a roll table covering 207 can be used. After the coil store
213, a straightening roller device 215 is provided which, however,
can also be removed for the continuous operation. Then a cutter 216
is provided in the flow of material. After the strip cutter 216,
optionally an edge heating arrangement 217a and an induction
furnace 217 are arranged, in order to be able to heat up the strip
before the finishing stand group 218. In addition, scale washers
219 are provided. The finishing stand group 218 advantageously has
five finishing stands F1 to F5. After the finishing stand group
218, a cooling section 222, a cutter 224 and the spool arrangement
225 are provided.
[0080] In endless operation, a roll table covering is therefore
provided instead of the coil store 213. In discontinuous operation,
the coil store is operated and filled with strip, which is then
delivered to the treatment process again.
[0081] Alternatively, a 2-stand roughing stand group and a 6-stand
finishing stand group are also provided, see FIGS. 6 to 9. FIGS. 6
and 7 show the roughing stand group 311 with two stands and the
finishing stand group 318 with six stands. Otherwise, the
installation according to FIGS. 6 and 7 does not differ
substantially from the installation of FIGS. 4 and 5. Compared with
the installations 201 and 301 of FIGS. 4 to 7, the installation 401
of FIGS. 8 and 9 has no heating arrangement between the cutters S1
and S2. Thereby, the installation of FIGS. 8 and 9 is considerably
shorter in size than the other two installations.
[0082] After the casting, for example in a thin slab casting
installation with casting thicknesses in the range of approximately
60-100 mm, the thin slab is rolled down in a continuous process to
a pre-strip thickness of approximately 15-60 mm on a 1-3-stand
roughing stand group. Subsequently, an inductive heating of the
pre-strip takes place, and the finish-rolling in the 3-7-stand
finishing stand group to an end thickness of approximately 0.8-16
mm. Behind the finishing stand group, the strip is cooled and
wound. The three different operating states which have also been
described above are provided again.
[0083] It is particularly advantageous for the development
according to the invention when an increase of the winding capacity
of the pre-strips in the coil store is provided. The coil store is
not only used for winding a pre-strip, but in the case of a roll
change, the production of so-called jumbo coils takes place, in
which two or more pre-strips are wound to form a pre-strip coil.
Hereby, a sufficient buffer is created for a roll change. At the
same time, the structural space is substantially less compared with
the conventional holding furnace. The storage of the pre-strips is
very compact, which also has the effect of a low temperature loss.
The crane capacity is configured to n*coil weight.
[0084] In FIGS. 10 and 11, details are illustrated in views of the
so-called jumbo coil store. In this example, a so-called jumbo
pre-strip coil, increased in size and expanded in capacity, is
produced. This consists advantageously of two or more pre-strips,
in which in the figures an example embodiment is shown with two
pre-strips.
[0085] If, for example, rolling is carried out in the endless mode,
then the separation of the last pre-strip takes place before the
roll change by cutter S1. The remainder of the strip is
finish-rolled and the working roll change is started thereafter.
During the roll change, the storage of the pre-strips in the jumbo
coil store takes place as already described. After the winding and
transportation of the coil during the winding process from the
winding to the unwinding station, for example two pre-strips find a
place there. Whilst, for example, the third pre-strip is almost
wound up, the working roll change should be concluded. It is
expected here that after a working roll change, the finishing stand
group feeding speed for the starting strips is higher, such as for
example twice as high, as the converted casting speed or run-in
speed into the coil store. Thus, the coil store can be continuously
reduced.
[0086] A coil store which can hold in its store for example coils
with three or more pre-strips, would bring about even more
certainty in a roll change, because it would make longer pauses
possible.
[0087] FIGS. 10 and 11 show such a coil store 501 in a side view or
respectively in a view from above. FIG. 10 shows a pre-strip 502
coming from the left, which is wound to a coil by means of drivers
503 and a bending unit 504. On the base side, the coil lies on a
roller set 505, which is reinforced compared with the conventional
base rollers, and is displaceable laterally by means of a
displacement unit 506. Through long winding times and/or a high
coil weight, heat-resistant or internally cooled larger base roller
diameters are necessary, in order to withstand the stress. To
support the base rollers 505, alternatively also additional support
rollers can be swung under the base rollers.
[0088] During the winding and unwinding process, the coil store 501
or the coil 510 is thermally insulated laterally and from the upper
side. For this, covers 507 are swung into the appropriate position.
An insulation between at least individual or between all possible
roll table rollers can also be provided.
[0089] In addition, provision is made to provide the insulating
walls with burners and to thus actively heat the coil 510 or the
coil eye 511, in order to reduce a temperature loss. Through the
winding, the scaling in the coil is reduced. If the burner heating
arrangement is operated with a deficit of oxygen, then the scale
formation is reduced in addition. An aspiration of the waste gases
can optionally also be provided. During the holding time, the coil
can be slowly turned or oscillated, in order to avoid temperature
strips on the coil 510 and on the base rollers 505.
[0090] As can be seen in FIG. 10, two pre-strips 512, 513 are wound
on the right-hand coil, which pre-strips are unwound again in the
unwinding position. Unwinding devices, which are not shown, are
provided for this.
[0091] In order to produce a largely uniform finishing stand group
run-in temperature, the induction heating arrangements at the head
and end of a coil can be set to higher output or/and the pre-strip
head speed during unwinding and subsequent passage through the
induction heating arrangement can be reduced.
[0092] In unfavourable conditions, in exceptional cases the outer
and inner coil winding can be cropped away. Optionally, a driver is
provided before the winding unit. The 3-roller bending unit can
alternatively be constructed as a driver or similar to a driver, in
order to ensure a reliable winding at a low winding speed.
[0093] The jumbo coil store 501 offers the possibility, after a
roll change or generally as a mode of operation, not to separate
two or more pre-strips behind the roughing stand group or behind
the coil store 501 at cutter S2, but rather to carry out the
separation of the strips before the spool at cutter S3. To reduce
the energy losses, the batch operation and especially the
semi-endless operation is preferably used. Advantageously, at least
thin strips, which are critically to be rolled, are operated in the
endless mode. In the semi-endless mode, the rolling can be operated
advantageously at increased speed and with minimized inductive
energy supply and/or use of intermediate stand cooling.
[0094] With the inductive heating arrangement, in endless operation
or in discontinuous batch operation, the thin slab is post-heated.
Here, the heat input can be set individually depending on the
casting speed and the temperature losses for example also within
the coil store, so that with the leaving of the thin slab from the
inductive heating arrangement, a constant temperature is produced
at the desired level. In endless rolling, the level of the casting
speed determines the temperature profile through the entire
installation. Depending on the casting speed, a calculation model
dynamically controls the heating outputs of the inductive heating
arrangements before and within the rolling train such that the
run-out temperature reaches the target temperature. If the casting
speed falls below a particular, predetermined threshold value, for
example in the case of problems in the casting installation, with
materials which are difficult to cast, during the start-up process
etc., then automatically a switchover takes place from the endless
mode to discontinuous rolling (batch operation or semi-endless
operation) in the finishing stand group.
[0095] This means that the thin slab is separated by the cutter S1
and the rolling speed of the finishing stand group is increased so
that the desired end rolling temperature is reached. Here, the
slab- or strip segments are followed within the train and the
transportation- or rolling speed and inductive heating outputs are
adapted over the strip length dynamically depending on the
temperature distribution. If the casting process has stabilized
itself again and the casting speed exceeds the predetermined
minimum value, then in an analogous manner a switch is carried out
from the discontinuous operation back to the endless operation mode
again.
[0096] Through a free switchover or adjustment of endless or
discontinuous operation, dependent on events for example, and the
presence of a buffer, a high degree of flexibility is provided,
which represents an increase in reliability of the process. This
applies in particular when putting a production installation into
operation.
[0097] Depending on the limiting conditions, the cutter S2 can also
be arranged before or/and behind the coil store.
[0098] Instead of a jumbo coilbox, a heated winding furnace can
also be constructed so that two or more pre-strips find a place in
a furnace. For this, the winding furnace is to be dimensioned so as
to be correspondingly larger. Two winding furnaces are provided for
this, one over the other or adjacent to each other. The strip store
by the winding of several pre-strips between the roughing- and
finishing stand group is therefore not limited to the coil store
form which is shown, but rather can also be designed in a
structurally different way in accordance with the invention.
[0099] The winding of the pre-strip to the coil can be carried out
clockwise or anti-clockwise, in order for example to improve the
winding conditions at the low run-in speed.
[0100] Instead of storing several pre-strips in a jumbo pre-strip
coil, the coil store can also consist of individual wound
pre-strips. Here, the individual coils are moved laterally
transversely into a holding furnace. Hereby, also, at least the
batch operation and the endless operation can be realized
alternatively and sufficient storage time is able to be provided in
which a finishing train working roll intermediate change can be
carried out without interrupting the casting.
[0101] In another alternative embodiment, two or more unwinding
stations are used after the coil winding station in the
transportation line. Thereby, several coil places, arranged one
behind the other, are provided as pre-strip store. Accordingly,
individual or also jumbo pre-strips can be received. Alternatively,
it is also possible to receive pre-strips in a carousel spool.
[0102] According to a further development of the installation
according to the invention, in FIGS. 8 and 9 the installation is
developed such that a temperature loss to the environment is to be
further reduced and the installation can be constructed even
shorter. Here, the coil store or jumbo coil store is arranged
alternatively directly behind the roughing stand group V1,V2, which
can have one to three stands. The cold strand at the strand head is
removed here for example via the coil store winding path upwards in
this region. The heating of the pre-strip to the desired pre-strip
temperature takes place here only behind the coil store, i.e.
directly before the finishing train. Instead of a coil store,
alternatively one or two or more winding furnaces can also be
arranged directly behind the roughing stands. In the region of the
coil winding station 501, a plate transverse transportation is
provided, for example by means of a plate lifting unit 506
consisting of struts which are able to be lifted and/or are able to
be displaced transversely. Here, plates with different pre-strip
thicknesses are transported to the side, during the casting on
process, when the store of the unwinding station is full or when
otherwise space is to be provided quickly. The plates of different
production thickness are cut by the cutter S1.
[0103] The lifting over of the coils from the winding station to
the unwinding station during the winding process takes place for
example by means of a driven mandrel which can be moved briefly for
this into the coil eye. Alternatively, the coil transportation from
the winding station to the unwinding station takes place through
corresponding movements of the base rollers after the cutting of
the pre-strip with the cutter S1. In order to draw a gap for this
between successive pre-strips, the coil or the pre-strip is
accelerated for this after the separation and the remaining
pre-strip is wound more quickly.
[0104] Optionally, a descaling or a pre-strip cleaning is provided
before the coil store, i.e. before winding. In order to keep the
temperature loss small, minimal amounts of water and a high
pressure are used, such as for example in scale washers with
rotating descaling nozzles.
[0105] To balance out mass flow changes, an arrangement is provided
such as a looper or a strip loop regulator, consisting of a sagging
strip region between the roughing train and the coil store, which
is particularly helpful for thinner pre-strips.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0106] 1 CSP installation [0107] 2 casting machine [0108] 3 caster
outlet [0109] 4 cutter [0110] 5 strand [0111] 6 furnace [0112] 7
roughing stand group [0113] 8 coil store [0114] 9 straightening
roller set [0115] 10 cutter [0116] 11 edge heater [0117] 12
finishing stand group [0118] 13 induction furnace [0119] 14 cooling
section [0120] 15 cutter [0121] 16 winding spool [0122] 101 CSP
installation [0123] 102 casting installation, casting machine
[0124] 103 strand cooling device [0125] 104 slab cleaning device,
cleaning device [0126] 105 slab cutter, cutter [0127] 106 cold
strand removal device, -discharge device [0128] 107 roll table
covering [0129] 108 furnace, furnace parts, ferries [0130] 108a
ferry, ferry group [0131] 109 slab [0132] 110 scale washer [0133]
111 roughing stand group, roughing train [0134] 112 stand, roughing
stand [0135] 113 coil store [0136] 114 roll table covering [0137]
115 straightening rollers [0138] 116 cutter [0139] 117 induction
heating arrangement [0140] 118 finishing stand group, finishing
train [0141] 119 cleaning device, scale washer [0142] 120 finishing
stand [0143] 121 heating arrangement [0144] 122 cooling section
[0145] 123 strip [0146] 124 strip cutter [0147] 125 spool
installation [0148] 201 CSP installation [0149] 202 casting
installation, casting machine [0150] 204 scale washer [0151] 205
cutter [0152] 206 removal device [0153] 207 roll table covering
[0154] 208 furnace [0155] 211 roughing train, roughing stand group
[0156] 213 coil store [0157] 215 straightening roller device [0158]
216 strip cutter [0159] 217 induction furnace [0160] 217a edge
heating arrangement [0161] 218 finishing stand group [0162] 219
scale washer [0163] 222 cooling section [0164] 224 cutter [0165]
225 spool arrangement [0166] 301 CSP installation [0167] 311
roughing stand group [0168] 318 finishing stand group [0169] 401
CSP installation [0170] 501 coil store, coil winding station [0171]
502 pre-strip [0172] 503 driver [0173] 504 bending unit [0174] 505
roller set [0175] 506 displacement unit, plate lifting unit [0176]
507 insulating covers [0177] 510 coil [0178] 511 coil eye [0179]
512 pre-strip [0180] 513 pre-strip
* * * * *