EP2507400B1 - Device for maintaining the dryness of the atmosphere of an annealing furnace for metal strips, and furnace provided with said device - Google Patents

Device for maintaining the dryness of the atmosphere of an annealing furnace for metal strips, and furnace provided with said device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2507400B1
EP2507400B1 EP10790876.6A EP10790876A EP2507400B1 EP 2507400 B1 EP2507400 B1 EP 2507400B1 EP 10790876 A EP10790876 A EP 10790876A EP 2507400 B1 EP2507400 B1 EP 2507400B1
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Prior art keywords
gas
strip
knives
atmosphere
furnace
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2507400A1 (en
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Cyril Claveroulas
Xavier Cluzel
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Fives Stein SA
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Fives Stein SA
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/52—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for wires; for strips ; for rods of unlimited length
    • C21D9/54—Furnaces for treating strips or wire
    • C21D9/56—Continuous furnaces for strip or wire
    • C21D9/562—Details
    • C21D9/565—Sealing arrangements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
    • F27D99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F27D99/0073—Seals
    • F27D99/0075—Gas curtain seals

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for maintaining the dry atmosphere of a metal strip annealing furnace, in particular a fast heating annealing furnace for carbon steel strip and a bright annealing furnace for stainless steel band.
  • a carbon steel annealing furnace it may also be necessary to maintain a very reducing atmosphere in the furnace, especially when the residence time of the strip in the furnace is low. This is for example the case for fast heating furnaces, especially by induction.
  • a high hydrogen content in the furnace atmosphere for example 75% to 100%, makes it possible to reduce any oxides present on the strip despite the low residence time at temperature.
  • H 2 O pollution of the atmosphere present inside the furnace is the metal strip itself. It travels at high speeds, for example between 60 mpm (meters per minute) and 800 mpm. The water present on the surface of the strip and resulting from the humidity of the external environment of the oven is thus driven into the oven.
  • a residual water thickness of 0.018 ⁇ m (micrometer) per strip face over a 1350 mm wide band flowing in a furnace with a volume of 650 m3 at a speed of 80 mpm requires a gas renewal of oven atmosphere close to 800 Nm3 / h in order to maintain the atmosphere of the oven at a dew point of -40 ° C by injecting an atmosphere gas with an H 2 O content corresponding to a dew point equal to -70 ° C.
  • the atmosphere gas injected into the furnace is composed of a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen with a high hydrogen concentration, typically between 75% and 100%. As the price of the m3 of this gas is high, the renewal flow required to maintain the dew point at a suitable level leads to very high operating costs of the installation.
  • the means used today to compensate for this pollution coming from the strip is a dilution of the atmosphere present in the oven with a very dry gas coming directly from the network of the installation. This results in a direct consumption of hydrogen and nitrogen for the operator of the installation.
  • This means may be coupled with an atmosphere recycling device composed of a recirculation loop of the furnace gas gas in which the gas is dried before being reinjected into the furnace.
  • 400 Nm3 / h will be taken on the network of the plant in direct consumption and 400 Nm3 / h will be recirculated via this loop of recycling of the atmosphere gas.
  • JP-55-034645 A , JP-10-008147 A and WO 2008/000945 A1 disclose systems for separating and / or securing atmospheres of an annealing furnace.
  • the furnace comprises two atmosphere separation systems for separating the atmosphere present in the furnace from the ambient air.
  • the first is placed at the entrance of the band in the oven, the second at its exit.
  • the furnace comprises a "buffer chamber" maintained under 100% nitrogen.
  • the oven thus comprises two atmosphere separation systems at the inlet and at the outlet of the oven separating the air / nitrogen atmospheres and two intermediate atmosphere separation systems making it possible to separate the nitrogen / atmosphere environments H2-N2 from the oven.
  • the invention aims, above all, to provide a device for maintaining, in a annealing furnace of a metal strip, a very dry atmosphere with a reduced consumption of gas, and therefore a reduced operating cost.
  • the device for keeping the atmosphere of a metal strip annealing furnace dry comprises means capable of reducing the presence of water on the strip before entering the furnace. annealing, these means comprising, at the furnace inlet, at least one gas knife per strip face, fed with a dry gas whose dew point is between -40 ° C and -70 ° C, and producing a jet of gas impinging the surface of the strip over its entire width so as to take off the moisture on the surface of the strip, and in that the gas knives are implanted in a sealed enclosure containing a gas having a dew point maintained between -40 ° C and -70 ° C, this chamber being isolated on the one hand from the external environment of the furnace and on the other hand, the furnace atmosphere by means of atmosphere separation systems.
  • knife gas is meant a gas blowing device producing a jet of gas impinging the surface of the strip over its entire width to take off the surface moisture or trapped in the pores of the strip.
  • the gas knives produce a straight or chevron gas jet.
  • this gas can, for example, be generated by a compressor / booster assembly and a gas dryer. Preheating of the gas can be done but it is not necessary for standard applications.
  • the number of gas knives, the feed pressures of these knives, the gas flow rates, the jet velocities and the distance between the knives and the web depend on the speed of circulation of the web.
  • the gas knives can be fed via a loop for recycling the atmosphere present in the enclosure comprising a dryer reducing the gas taken from the chamber to the required dew point.
  • the sealed enclosure thus has the advantage of allowing the blown gas to be recirculated on the strip, which limits the size of the gas drying equipment.
  • the gas blown on the strip and the resulting atmosphere in the sealed chamber may be an inert gas, including nitrogen.
  • the enclosure is in an inert atmosphere, including nitrogen, allows a buffer volume of gas that in the case where it is drawn into the oven, does not generate any risk.
  • Inert gas knives also break the plume of air volume entrained in the furnace by tape scrolling.
  • support rollers of the band are present in the vicinity of the gas knives in order to give a stable pass line to the band, which makes it possible to bring the knives as close to gas from the band. Indeed, the more the gas knives are close to the band and the more the detachment of the moisture present on the surface of the band will be effective.
  • the gas knives may be inclined in the opposite direction of the tape travel so as to enhance their efficiency by a flow of gas against the current relative to the tape travel.
  • the gas blowing flow rate can be between 1000 and 4000 Nm3 / h for a pressure of 200 mbar at 5 bar.
  • the distance between the exit orifice of the knives for the gas and the strip may especially be between 10 and 100 mm.
  • the gas knives are advantageously mounted on mobile systems for adjusting the distance between the knives and the band.
  • the invention provides many advantages. Since the moisture dragged by the belt is an important source of pollution of the furnace, the fact that removing or minimizing the amount of H 2 O entrained in the furnace can significantly reduce the atmospheric gas consumption.
  • the device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the capacity of this recycling loop thus making it possible to minimize the investment cost of the device. installation.
  • the rate of renewal of the oven atmosphere gas will be close to 400 Nm3 / h in order to maintain the oven atmosphere at a dew point of -40 ° C and this, by injecting a an atmosphere gas with an H 2 O content corresponding to a dew point of -70 ° C.
  • the device according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain a lower dew point with atmospheric gas consumptions equivalent to those of an installation with a higher dew point, which does not have this device.
  • the invention also relates to a metal strip annealing furnace equipped with a device for maintaining the oven atmosphere dry, as defined above.
  • a device S for maintaining the dry atmosphere of an annealing furnace 1 for metal strip 2.
  • the device S is placed at the inlet of annealing furnace 1 operating under atmosphere with a high hydrogen content (between 75% and 100%) and a dew point below -40 ° C.
  • the band 2 moves vertically from bottom to top.
  • the direction of movement of the band could be reversed; in addition the tape could move horizontally or obliquely.
  • the device S comprises means M capable of reducing the presence of water on the strip 2.
  • the means M comprise an inert enclosure C under a nitrogen atmosphere, and are placed between an atmosphere separation system A, in input of the device S, for separating the ambient air from the nitrogen present in the inert enclosure C and an atmosphere separation system B at the outlet of the device S separating nitrogen from the furnace atmosphere.
  • Each gas knife D is formed by a convergent blowing nozzle 3 ( Fig.2 ) whose outlet orifice 4 is constituted by a slot extending over the entire width of the strip.
  • the sizing of the recirculation circuit as well as the number of pairs of knives depends on the characteristics of the line (bandwidth and desired dew point in the furnace).
  • the number of knives D can be limited to one pair. Two pairs or more may also be needed.
  • the gas knives D are advantageously inclined in the opposite direction of the running of the strip 2 so as to reinforce their efficiency by a flow of the gas against the current relative to the running of the strip.
  • the blowing flow rate is advantageously between 1000 and 4000 Nm3 / h for a pressure of 200 mbar at 5 bar.
  • D knives Different technologies of D knives can be used depending on the desired efficiency. For example high pressure knives (between 2 and 5 bar and a flow rate of 1000 to 2000 Nm3 / h) or low pressure knives (between 200 and 400 mbar and a flow rate of 2500 to 4000 Nm3 / h).
  • high pressure knives between 2 and 5 bar and a flow rate of 1000 to 2000 Nm3 / h
  • low pressure knives between 200 and 400 mbar and a flow rate of 2500 to 4000 Nm3 / h.
  • the high pressure solution is more efficient but more expensive and consumes more energy.
  • Fig.2 schematically illustrates the effect of gas jets 5 knives D on the residual water at the surface of the strip 2, or in the porosities thereof.
  • the impact of the gas jets on the band detaches the layer of residual water that is evacuated with the gas.
  • the distance between the outlet orifice 4 of the knives D for the gas and the strip 2 is preferably between 10 and 100 mm. The shorter the distance, the more efficient the system.
  • rollers H can be installed, on either side of the band 2, in order to stabilize the band pass line and thus allow to bring the knives D of the band 2 as close as possible.
  • the knives D are mounted on mobile systems for adjusting the distance between the knives and the band.
  • This example of application of a device according to the invention makes it possible to limit the thickness of residual water on the strip after the gas knives at 0.009 ⁇ m per strip face. This makes it possible to limit the rate of renewal of the oven atmosphere gas to 400 Nm3 / h by maintaining the dew point of the oven atmosphere at -40 ° C.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Strip Materials And Filament Materials (AREA)

Description

L'invention est relative à un dispositif pour maintenir sèche l'atmosphère d'un four de recuit pour bande métallique, notamment d'un four de recuit à chauffage rapide pour bande d'acier au carbone et d'un four de recuit brillant pour bande d'acier inoxydable.The invention relates to a device for maintaining the dry atmosphere of a metal strip annealing furnace, in particular a fast heating annealing furnace for carbon steel strip and a bright annealing furnace for stainless steel band.

Sur un four traditionnel de recuit brillant en continu de bandes métalliques en aciers inoxydables, il est nécessaire de maintenir dans le four une atmosphère très sèche, typiquement avec une teneur en H2O équivalente à un point de rosée inférieur ou égal à -40°C. Un point de rosée trop élevé conduirait à une dégradation de la qualité de surface de la bande.On a traditional continuous annealing furnace of stainless steel metal strips, it is necessary to maintain a very dry atmosphere in the furnace, typically with a H 2 O content equivalent to a dew point less than or equal to -40 ° C. vs. A dew point that is too high would lead to a degradation of the surface quality of the band.

Sur un four de recuit pour acier au carbone, il peut également être nécessaire de maintenir dans le four une atmosphère très réductrice, notamment lorsque le temps de séjour de la bande dans le four est faible. Cela est par exemple le cas pour les fours à chauffage rapide, notamment par induction. Une haute teneur en hydrogène dans l'atmosphère du four, par exemple 75% à 100%, permet de réduire les éventuels oxydes présents sur la bande malgré le faible temps de séjour à température.On a carbon steel annealing furnace, it may also be necessary to maintain a very reducing atmosphere in the furnace, especially when the residence time of the strip in the furnace is low. This is for example the case for fast heating furnaces, especially by induction. A high hydrogen content in the furnace atmosphere, for example 75% to 100%, makes it possible to reduce any oxides present on the strip despite the low residence time at temperature.

Une source importante de pollution en H2O de l'atmosphère présente à l'intérieur du four est la bande métallique elle-même. Celle-ci circule à des vitesses élevées, par exemple entre 60 mpm (mètres par minute) et 800 mpm. L'eau présente sur la surface de la bande et résultant de l'humidité de l'ambiance extérieure du four est ainsi entraînée dans le four.An important source of H 2 O pollution of the atmosphere present inside the furnace is the metal strip itself. It travels at high speeds, for example between 60 mpm (meters per minute) and 800 mpm. The water present on the surface of the strip and resulting from the humidity of the external environment of the oven is thus driven into the oven.

De très faibles valeurs d'H2O entraînées par la bande ont un impact important sur la dégradation du point de rosée dans le four.Very low values of H 2 O entrained by the strip have a significant impact on the dew point degradation in the furnace.

Par exemple, une épaisseur d'eau résiduelle de 0.018 µm (micromètre) par face de bande sur une bande de largeur 1350 mm circulant dans un four d'un volume de 650 m3 à une vitesse de 80 mpm nécessite un renouvellement de gaz d'atmosphère du four proche de 800 Nm3/h afin de maintenir l'ambiance du four à un point de rosée de -40°C et ce, en injectant un gaz d'atmosphère avec une teneur en H2O correspondant à un point de rosée égal à -70°C.For example, a residual water thickness of 0.018 μm (micrometer) per strip face over a 1350 mm wide band flowing in a furnace with a volume of 650 m3 at a speed of 80 mpm requires a gas renewal of oven atmosphere close to 800 Nm3 / h in order to maintain the atmosphere of the oven at a dew point of -40 ° C by injecting an atmosphere gas with an H 2 O content corresponding to a dew point equal to -70 ° C.

Le gaz d'atmosphère injecté dans le four est composé d'un mélange d'hydrogène et d'azote avec une concentration d'hydrogène importante, typiquement entre 75% et 100%. Le prix du m3 de ce gaz étant élevé, le débit de renouvellement nécessaire pour maintenir le point de rosée à un niveau convenable entraîne des coûts d'exploitation de l'installation très importants.The atmosphere gas injected into the furnace is composed of a mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen with a high hydrogen concentration, typically between 75% and 100%. As the price of the m3 of this gas is high, the renewal flow required to maintain the dew point at a suitable level leads to very high operating costs of the installation.

Le moyen utilisé aujourd'hui pour compenser cette pollution venant de la bande est une dilution de l'atmosphère présente dans le four avec un gaz très sec venant directement du réseau de l'installation. Il en résulte une consommation directe d'hydrogène et d'azote pour l'exploitant de l'installation.The means used today to compensate for this pollution coming from the strip is a dilution of the atmosphere present in the oven with a very dry gas coming directly from the network of the installation. This results in a direct consumption of hydrogen and nitrogen for the operator of the installation.

Ce moyen peut être couplé avec un dispositif de recyclage de l'atmosphère composé d'une boucle de recirculation du gaz d'atmosphère du four dans laquelle le gaz est séché avant d'être réinjecté dans le four.This means may be coupled with an atmosphere recycling device composed of a recirculation loop of the furnace gas gas in which the gas is dried before being reinjected into the furnace.

Par exemple, sur les 800 Nm3/h mentionnés dans l'exemple précédent, 400 Nm3/h seront pris sur le réseau de l'installation en consommation directe et 400 Nm3/h seront recirculés via cette boucle de recyclage du gaz d'atmosphère.For example, of the 800 Nm3 / h mentioned in the previous example, 400 Nm3 / h will be taken on the network of the plant in direct consumption and 400 Nm3 / h will be recirculated via this loop of recycling of the atmosphere gas.

Les documents JP-55-034645 A , JP-10-008147 A et WO 2008/000945 A1 divulguent des systèmes de séparation et/ou de sécurisation d'atmosphères d'un four de recuit.The documents JP-55-034645 A , JP-10-008147 A and WO 2008/000945 A1 disclose systems for separating and / or securing atmospheres of an annealing furnace.

Il existe principalement deux configurations de fours de recuit en continu de bandes métalliques équipés de chauffage rapide.There are two main configurations of continuous metal strip annealing furnaces equipped with rapid heating.

Dans la première, le four comprend deux systèmes de séparation d'atmosphères destinés à séparer l'atmosphère présente dans le four de l'air ambiant. Le premier est placé à l'entrée de la bande dans le four, le second à sa sortie.In the first, the furnace comprises two atmosphere separation systems for separating the atmosphere present in the furnace from the ambient air. The first is placed at the entrance of the band in the oven, the second at its exit.

Dans une seconde configuration, le four comprend une « chambre tampon » maintenue sous 100% d'azote. Le four comprend ainsi deux systèmes de séparation d'atmosphère en entrée et en sortie du four séparant les ambiances air/azote et deux systèmes de séparation d'atmosphère intermédiaires permettant de séparer les ambiances azote/atmosphère H2-N2 du four. L'invention a pour but, surtout, de fournir un dispositif permettant de maintenir, dans un four de recuit d'une bande métallique, une atmosphère très sèche avec une consommation réduite de gaz, et donc un coût d'exploitation réduit.In a second configuration, the furnace comprises a "buffer chamber" maintained under 100% nitrogen. The oven thus comprises two atmosphere separation systems at the inlet and at the outlet of the oven separating the air / nitrogen atmospheres and two intermediate atmosphere separation systems making it possible to separate the nitrogen / atmosphere environments H2-N2 from the oven. The invention aims, above all, to provide a device for maintaining, in a annealing furnace of a metal strip, a very dry atmosphere with a reduced consumption of gas, and therefore a reduced operating cost.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif pour maintenir sèche l'atmosphère d'un four de recuit pour bande métallique est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens propres à réduire la présence d'eau sur la bande avant son entrée dans le four de recuit , ces moyens comprenant, en entrée de four, au moins un couteau de gaz par face de bande, alimenté avec un gaz sec dont le point de rosée est compris entre -40°C et -70°C, et produisant un jet de gaz venant impacter la surface de la bande sur toute sa largeur de sorte de décoller l'humidité se trouvant en surface de la bande,
et en ce que les couteaux de gaz sont implantés dans une enceinte étanche contenant un gaz ayant un point de rosée maintenu entre -40°C et -70°C, cette enceinte étant isolée d'une part de l'ambiance extérieure du four et d'autre part de l'atmosphère du four par des systèmes de séparation d'atmosphère.According to the invention, the device for keeping the atmosphere of a metal strip annealing furnace dry is characterized in that it comprises means capable of reducing the presence of water on the strip before entering the furnace. annealing, these means comprising, at the furnace inlet, at least one gas knife per strip face, fed with a dry gas whose dew point is between -40 ° C and -70 ° C, and producing a jet of gas impinging the surface of the strip over its entire width so as to take off the moisture on the surface of the strip,
and in that the gas knives are implanted in a sealed enclosure containing a gas having a dew point maintained between -40 ° C and -70 ° C, this chamber being isolated on the one hand from the external environment of the furnace and on the other hand, the furnace atmosphere by means of atmosphere separation systems.

Par « couteau » de gaz, on désigne un dispositif de soufflage de gaz produisant un jet de gaz venant impacter la surface de la bande sur toute sa largeur pour décoller l'humidité en surface ou emprisonnée dans les porosités de la bande. Les couteaux de gaz produisent un jet de gaz droit ou en chevron.By "knife" gas is meant a gas blowing device producing a jet of gas impinging the surface of the strip over its entire width to take off the surface moisture or trapped in the pores of the strip. The gas knives produce a straight or chevron gas jet.

S'il n'est pas disponible sur le réseau de l'installation, ce gaz peut, par exemple, être généré par un ensemble compresseur / surpresseur et un sécheur de gaz. Un préchauffage du gaz peut être réalisé mais il n'est pas nécessaire pour les applications standards.If it is not available on the network of the installation, this gas can, for example, be generated by a compressor / booster assembly and a gas dryer. Preheating of the gas can be done but it is not necessary for standard applications.

Le nombre de couteaux de gaz, les pressions d'alimentation de ces couteaux, les débits de gaz, les vitesses de jet et la distance entre les couteaux et la bande dépendent de la vitesse de circulation de la bande.The number of gas knives, the feed pressures of these knives, the gas flow rates, the jet velocities and the distance between the knives and the web depend on the speed of circulation of the web.

Des essais en laboratoire permettent de définir les paramètres appropriés du dispositif en fonction des vitesses de bande et des distances entre les couteaux et la bande.Laboratory tests are used to define the appropriate parameters of the device according to the band speeds and the distances between the knives and the band.

Le maintien du point de rosée, dans l'enceinte isolée, à des valeurs comprises entre -40°C et -70°C évite le « remouillage » de la bande entre les couteaux et l'entrée du four.Maintaining the dew point, in the insulated enclosure, at values between -40 ° C and -70 ° C avoids "rewetting" of the band between the knives and the entrance of the oven.

Les couteaux de gaz peuvent être alimentés via une boucle de recyclage de l'atmosphère présente dans l'enceinte comprenant un sécheur ramenant le gaz prélevé dans l'enceinte au point de rosée requis. L'enceinte étanche présente ainsi l'avantage de permettre de recirculer le gaz soufflé sur la bande ce qui limite la taille des équipements de séchage de gaz.The gas knives can be fed via a loop for recycling the atmosphere present in the enclosure comprising a dryer reducing the gas taken from the chamber to the required dew point. The sealed enclosure thus has the advantage of allowing the blown gas to be recirculated on the strip, which limits the size of the gas drying equipment.

Pour améliorer la sécurité du four, celui-ci fonctionnant sous très haute teneur en hydrogène, le gaz soufflé sur la bande et l'ambiance en résultant dans l'enceinte étanche peut être un gaz inerte, notamment de l'azote.To improve the safety of the furnace, the latter operating under a very high hydrogen content, the gas blown on the strip and the resulting atmosphere in the sealed chamber may be an inert gas, including nitrogen.

En effet, les systèmes de séparation d'atmosphère sur ce type d'installation n'étant pas parfaitement étanches, il est fréquent que sur certaines phases de fonctionnement, ou de dysfonctionnement, de l'air s'engouffre dans le four à travers les systèmes de séparation d'atmosphères, ce qui génère des risques potentiels d'explosion.Indeed, the atmosphere separation systems on this type of installation is not perfectly sealed, it is common that in some phases of operation, or malfunction, air rushes into the oven through the separation systems, which generates potential risks of explosion.

Le fait que l'enceinte soit sous une ambiance inerte, notamment de l'azote, permet d'avoir un volume tampon de gaz qui dans le cas où il est aspiré dans le four, ne génère aucun risque.The fact that the enclosure is in an inert atmosphere, including nitrogen, allows a buffer volume of gas that in the case where it is drawn into the oven, does not generate any risk.

Les couteaux de gaz inerte permettent également de casser le panache de volume d'air entraîné dans le four par le défilement de bande.Inert gas knives also break the plume of air volume entrained in the furnace by tape scrolling.

Selon l'exemple préféré de réalisation de l'invention, des rouleaux d'appui de la bande sont présents au voisinage des couteaux de gaz afin de donner une ligne de passe stable à la bande, ce qui permet de rapprocher au maximum les couteaux de gaz de la bande. En effet, plus les couteaux de gaz sont proches de la bande et plus le décollement de l'humidité présente à la surface de la bande sera efficace.According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, support rollers of the band are present in the vicinity of the gas knives in order to give a stable pass line to the band, which makes it possible to bring the knives as close to gas from the band. Indeed, the more the gas knives are close to the band and the more the detachment of the moisture present on the surface of the band will be effective.

Les couteaux de gaz peuvent être inclinés en sens contraire du défilement de la bande de sorte de renforcer leur efficacité par un écoulement du gaz à contre-courant par rapport au défilement de la bande.The gas knives may be inclined in the opposite direction of the tape travel so as to enhance their efficiency by a flow of gas against the current relative to the tape travel.

Le débit de soufflage de gaz peut être compris entre 1000 et 4000 Nm3/h pour une pression de 200 mbar à 5 barsThe gas blowing flow rate can be between 1000 and 4000 Nm3 / h for a pressure of 200 mbar at 5 bar.

La distance entre l'orifice de sortie des couteaux pour le gaz et la bande peut notamment être comprise entre 10 et 100 mm. Les couteaux de gaz sont avantageusement montés sur des systèmes mobiles permettant de régler la distance entre les couteaux et la bande.The distance between the exit orifice of the knives for the gas and the strip may especially be between 10 and 100 mm. The gas knives are advantageously mounted on mobile systems for adjusting the distance between the knives and the band.

L'invention procure de nombreux avantages. Etant donné que l'humidité entraînée par la bande est une source importante de pollution du four, le fait de supprimer ou de minimiser la quantité d'H2O entraînée dans le four permet de réduire de façon importante les consommations de gaz d'atmosphère.The invention provides many advantages. Since the moisture dragged by the belt is an important source of pollution of the furnace, the fact that removing or minimizing the amount of H 2 O entrained in the furnace can significantly reduce the atmospheric gas consumption.

Egalement, dans le cas où l'installation est équipée d'une boucle de recyclage de l'atmosphère, le dispositif selon l'invention permet de réduire la capacité de cette boucle de recyclage permettant ainsi de minimiser le coût d'investissement de l'installation.Also, in the case where the installation is equipped with a loop for recycling the atmosphere, the device according to the invention makes it possible to reduce the capacity of this recycling loop thus making it possible to minimize the investment cost of the device. installation.

Par exemple, pour une épaisseur d'eau résiduelle sur la bande avant les couteaux de gaz de 0.018 µm et après les couteaux de 0.009 µm par face de bande, sur une bande de largeur 1350 mm circulant dans un four d'un volume de 650 m3 à une vitesse de 80 mpm, le débit de renouvellement de gaz d'atmosphère du four sera proche de 400 Nm3/h afin de maintenir l'ambiance du four à un point de rosée de -40°C et ce, en injectant un gaz d'atmosphère avec une teneur en H2O correspondant à un point de rosée égal à -70°C.For example, for a residual water thickness on the strip before the gas knives of 0.018 μm and after knives of 0.009 μm per strip face, on a strip of width 1350 mm circulating in a furnace with a volume of 650 m3 at a speed of 80 mpm, the rate of renewal of the oven atmosphere gas will be close to 400 Nm3 / h in order to maintain the oven atmosphere at a dew point of -40 ° C and this, by injecting a an atmosphere gas with an H 2 O content corresponding to a dew point of -70 ° C.

Ces 400 Nm3/h sont à comparer aux 800 Nm3/h nécessaires sans le dispositif selon l'invention ce qui représente, pour une ambiance de four composée de 90% d'hydrogène et 10% d'azote, une économie de 360 Nm3/h d'hydrogène et 40 Nm3/h d'azote.These 400 Nm3 / h are to be compared to the 800 Nm3 / h needed without the device according to the invention which represents, for a furnace environment composed of 90% hydrogen and 10% nitrogen, a saving of 360 Nm3 / h of hydrogen and 40 Nm3 / h of nitrogen.

Le dispositif selon l'invention permet ainsi :

  • une meilleure maîtrise de l'atmosphère présente dans le four,
  • une réduction des coûts d'exploitation par une réduction des consommations de gaz d'atmosphère,
  • une réduction du coût d'investissement de l'installation par une réduction de la capacité de la boucle de recyclage.
The device according to the invention thus allows:
  • better control of the atmosphere present in the oven,
  • a reduction in operating costs by reducing atmospheric gas consumption,
  • a reduction in the investment cost of the installation by reducing the capacity of the recycling loop.

Le dispositif selon l'invention permet également l'obtention d'un point de rosée plus bas avec des consommations de gaz d'atmosphère équivalentes à celles d'une installation, à point de rosée plus élevé, ne possédant pas ce dispositif.The device according to the invention also makes it possible to obtain a lower dew point with atmospheric gas consumptions equivalent to those of an installation with a higher dew point, which does not have this device.

L'invention est également relative à un four de recuit pour bande métallique équipé d'un dispositif pour maintenir sèche l'atmosphère du four, tel que défini précédemment.The invention also relates to a metal strip annealing furnace equipped with a device for maintaining the oven atmosphere dry, as defined above.

L'invention consiste, mises à part les dispositions exposées ci-dessus, en un certain nombre d'autres dispositions dont il sera plus explicitement question ci-après à propos d'un exemple décrit avec référence aux dessins annexés, mais qui n'est nullement limitatif. Sur ces dessins :

  • Fig.1 est une coupe schématique verticale partielle de l'entrée d'un four de recuit pour bande métallique équipé d'un dispositif selon l'invention, et
  • Fig.2 est une coupe schématique verticale, à plus grande échelle, illustrant l'effet des couteaux de gaz sur la bande métallique.
The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in one number of other provisions which will be more explicitly discussed below with reference to an example described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but which is not limiting. On these drawings:
  • Fig.1 is a partial vertical schematic sectional view of the inlet of a metal strip annealing furnace equipped with a device according to the invention, and
  • Fig.2 is a vertical schematic section, on a larger scale, illustrating the effect of gas knives on the metal strip.

En se reportant à Fig.1 des dessins, on peut voir un dispositif S, selon l'invention, pour maintenir sèche l'atmosphère d'un four 1 de recuit pour bande métallique 2. Le dispositif S est placé à l'entrée du four 1 de recuit fonctionnant sous atmosphère à haute teneur en hydrogène (entre 75% et 100%) et sous un point de rosée inférieur à -40°C.Referring to Fig.1 drawings, we can see a device S, according to the invention, for maintaining the dry atmosphere of an annealing furnace 1 for metal strip 2. The device S is placed at the inlet of annealing furnace 1 operating under atmosphere with a high hydrogen content (between 75% and 100%) and a dew point below -40 ° C.

Selon l'exemple illustré, la bande 2 se déplace verticalement de bas en haut. Bien entendu, le sens de déplacement de la bande pourrait être inversé ; en outre la bande pourrait se déplacer horizontalement ou en oblique.According to the illustrated example, the band 2 moves vertically from bottom to top. Of course, the direction of movement of the band could be reversed; in addition the tape could move horizontally or obliquely.

Le dispositif S comporte des moyens M propres à réduire la présence d'eau sur la bande 2. Avantageusement, les moyens M comportent une enceinte inerte C sous atmosphère d'azote, et sont placés entre un système de séparation d'atmosphère A, en entrée du dispositif S, destiné à séparer l'air ambiant de l'azote présent dans l'enceinte inerte C et un système de séparation d'atmosphère B en sortie du dispositif S séparant l'azote de l'atmosphère du four.The device S comprises means M capable of reducing the presence of water on the strip 2. Advantageously, the means M comprise an inert enclosure C under a nitrogen atmosphere, and are placed between an atmosphere separation system A, in input of the device S, for separating the ambient air from the nitrogen present in the inert enclosure C and an atmosphere separation system B at the outlet of the device S separating nitrogen from the furnace atmosphere.

Le dispositif S est composé :

  • de l'enceinte étanche C constituant une zone inerte dans laquelle l'atmosphère est maintenue à 100% d'azote avec un point de rosée inférieur ou égal à -40°C,
  • d'une ou plusieurs paires de couteaux d'azote D,
  • d'un circuit de recirculation d'azote comprenant une extraction E, un compresseur ou surpresseur F et une unité de séchage d'azote G,
  • des rouleaux H, en amont et en aval des couteaux D, afin de maintenir une ligne de passe stable.
The device S is composed of:
  • the sealed enclosure C constituting an inert zone in which the atmosphere is maintained at 100% nitrogen with a dew point less than or equal to -40 ° C,
  • one or more pairs of nitrogen knives D,
  • a nitrogen recirculation circuit comprising an extraction E, a compressor or booster F and a nitrogen drying unit G,
  • rollers H, upstream and downstream of the knives D, in order to maintain a stable line of pass.

Chaque couteau de gaz D est formé par une buse de soufflage 3 convergente (Fig.2) dont l'orifice de sortie 4 est constitué par une fente s'étendant sur toute la largeur de la bande.Each gas knife D is formed by a convergent blowing nozzle 3 ( Fig.2 ) whose outlet orifice 4 is constituted by a slot extending over the entire width of the strip.

Le dimensionnement du circuit de recirculation ainsi que le nombre de paires de couteaux dépend des caractéristiques de la ligne (vitesse de défilement de bande et point de rosée recherché dans le four).The sizing of the recirculation circuit as well as the number of pairs of knives depends on the characteristics of the line (bandwidth and desired dew point in the furnace).

Le nombre de couteaux D peut se limiter à une paire. Deux paires ou davantage peuvent également être nécessaires.The number of knives D can be limited to one pair. Two pairs or more may also be needed.

Les couteaux de gaz D, comme visible sur Fig.1, sont avantageusement inclinés en sens contraire du défilement de la bande 2 de sorte de renforcer leur efficacité par un écoulement du gaz à contre-courant par rapport au défilement de la bande.The gas knives D, as visible on Fig.1 , are advantageously inclined in the opposite direction of the running of the strip 2 so as to reinforce their efficiency by a flow of the gas against the current relative to the running of the strip.

Le débit de soufflage est avantageusement compris entre 1000 et 4000 Nm3/h pour une pression de 200 mbar à 5 barsThe blowing flow rate is advantageously between 1000 and 4000 Nm3 / h for a pressure of 200 mbar at 5 bar.

Différentes technologies de couteaux D peuvent être utilisées en fonction de l'efficacité recherchée. Par exemple des couteaux à haute pression (entre 2 et 5 bars et un débit de 1000 à 2000 Nm3/h) ou des couteaux à faible pression (entre 200 et 400 mbar et un débit de 2500 à 4000 Nm3/h). La solution haute pression est plus efficace mais plus coûteuse et consomme davantage d'énergie.Different technologies of D knives can be used depending on the desired efficiency. For example high pressure knives (between 2 and 5 bar and a flow rate of 1000 to 2000 Nm3 / h) or low pressure knives (between 200 and 400 mbar and a flow rate of 2500 to 4000 Nm3 / h). The high pressure solution is more efficient but more expensive and consumes more energy.

Fig.2 illustre schématiquement l'effet des jets de gaz 5 des couteaux D sur l'eau résiduelle se trouvant en surface de la bande 2, ou dans les porosités de celle-ci. L'impact des jets de gaz sur la bande détache la couche d'eau résiduelle qui est évacuée avec le gaz. Fig.2 schematically illustrates the effect of gas jets 5 knives D on the residual water at the surface of the strip 2, or in the porosities thereof. The impact of the gas jets on the band detaches the layer of residual water that is evacuated with the gas.

La distance entre l'orifice de sortie 4 des couteaux D pour le gaz et la bande 2 est de préférence comprise entre 10 à 100 mm. Plus la distance est réduite et plus le système est efficace.The distance between the outlet orifice 4 of the knives D for the gas and the strip 2 is preferably between 10 and 100 mm. The shorter the distance, the more efficient the system.

Pour permettre de réduire cette distance, des rouleaux H peuvent être installés, de part et d'autre de la bande 2, afin de stabiliser la ligne de passe de la bande et ainsi permettre de rapprocher au maximum les couteaux D de la bande 2.To reduce this distance, rollers H can be installed, on either side of the band 2, in order to stabilize the band pass line and thus allow to bring the knives D of the band 2 as close as possible.

Selon un exemple préféré de réalisation de l'invention, les couteaux D sont montés sur des systèmes mobiles permettant de régler la distance entre les couteaux et la bande.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the knives D are mounted on mobile systems for adjusting the distance between the knives and the band.

Exemple d'application pour une ligne de recuit brillant d'une bande en acier inoxydableApplication example for a bright annealing line of a stainless steel strip

  • Volume du four : 650 m3Oven volume: 650 m3
  • Largeur de bande : 1350 mm,Bandwidth: 1350 mm,
  • Vitesse de défilement de la bande : 80 mpm,Tape speed: 80 mpm,
  • Epaisseur d'eau résiduelle sur la bande avant les couteaux de gaz : 0.018 µm par face de bande,Residual water thickness on the strip before the gas knives: 0.018 μm per strip face,
  • Longueur L1 de l'enceinte étanche : 2500 mmLength L1 of the sealed enclosure: 2500 mm
  • Diamètre des rouleaux H d'appui : 250 mmDiameter of rollers H of support: 250 mm
  • Distance L2 entre les rouleaux d'appui : 2000 mmDistance L2 between the support rollers: 2000 mm
  • Nombre de paires de couteaux de gaz : 2,Number of pairs of gas knives: 2,
  • Distance entre les couteaux de gaz et la bande : < 50 mmDistance between the gas knives and the band: <50 mm
  • Nature du gaz soufflé par les couteaux de gaz : azote avec un point de rosée de -70°C,Nature of gas blown by gas knives: nitrogen with a dew point of -70 ° C,
  • Débit total de gaz circulant dans les couteaux de gaz : 1500 Nm3/h,Total flow of gas flowing through gas knives: 1500 Nm3 / h,
  • Pression dans les couteaux de gaz : 3 barsPressure in gas knives: 3 bars

Cet exemple d'application d'un dispositif selon l'invention permet de limiter l'épaisseur d'eau résiduelle sur la bande après les couteaux de gaz à 0.009 µm par face de bande. Cela permet de limiter le débit de renouvellement de gaz d'atmosphère du four à 400 Nm3/h en maintenant le point de rosée de l'atmosphère du four à -40°C.This example of application of a device according to the invention makes it possible to limit the thickness of residual water on the strip after the gas knives at 0.009 μm per strip face. This makes it possible to limit the rate of renewal of the oven atmosphere gas to 400 Nm3 / h by maintaining the dew point of the oven atmosphere at -40 ° C.

Claims (9)

  1. Device for maintaining the dryness of the atmosphere of an annealing furnace (1) for a metal strip (2), characterised in that it comprises suitable means (M) for reducing the presence of water on the strip (2) prior to inserting it into the annealing furnace (1), said means (M) comprising, at the entry of the furnace, at least one gas knife (D) per face of strip, supplied with a dry gas, the dew point of which is between -40 °C and -70 °C, and producing a jet of gas impacting the surface of the strip over its whole width so as to remove the humidity from the surface of the strip,
    and in that the gas knives (D) are inserted into a sealed enclosure (C) containing a gas with a dew point maintained between -40 °C and -70 °C, said enclosure being insulated on the one hand from the external atmosphere of the furnace and on the other hand from the atmosphere of the furnace by atmosphere separating systems (A, B).
  2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas knives (D) are supplied via a recycling loop of the atmosphere in the enclosure comprising a dryer (G) bringing the gas removed in the enclosure to the required dew point.
  3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the support rollers (H) of the strip are provided adjacent to the gas knives (D) in order to provide a stable pass line for the strip and to allow the gas knives of the strip to come closer.
  4. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas knives (D) are inclined in an opposite direction to the scrolling of the strip so as to increase their effectiveness by flow of gas in counter-current relative to the scrolling of the strip.
  5. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the gas blow rate is between 1,000 to 4,000 Nm3/h for a pressure of 200 mbar to 5 bars.
  6. Device according to claim 3, characterised in that the distance between the outlet opening of the knives (D) for the gas and the strip (2) is between 10 and 100 mm.
  7. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the knives (D) are mounted on mobile systems making it possible to control the distance between the knives and the strip.
  8. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that the sealed enclosure (C) contains nitrogen.
  9. Bright annealing furnace for a strip (2), characterised in that in front of its entry it comprises a device according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP10790876.6A 2009-11-30 2010-11-25 Device for maintaining the dryness of the atmosphere of an annealing furnace for metal strips, and furnace provided with said device Active EP2507400B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0905751A FR2953221B1 (en) 2009-11-30 2009-11-30 DEVICE FOR MAINTAINING DRY THE ATMOSPHERE OF A NIGHT BURNING OVEN FOR METAL STRIP, AND OVEN EQUIPPED WITH SAID DEVICE
PCT/IB2010/055422 WO2011064732A1 (en) 2009-11-30 2010-11-25 Device for maintaining the dryness of the atmosphere of an annealing furnace for metal strips, and furnace provided with said device

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Publication Number Publication Date
EP2507400A1 EP2507400A1 (en) 2012-10-10
EP2507400B1 true EP2507400B1 (en) 2014-01-08

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EP (1) EP2507400B1 (en)
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CN109990569B (en) * 2019-04-09 2020-08-11 中冶赛迪工程技术股份有限公司 Annealing furnace drying method based on cooling and dehumidifying

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5534645A (en) * 1978-08-31 1980-03-11 Kawasaki Steel Corp Continuous annealing furnace
JPS5993840A (en) * 1982-11-19 1984-05-30 Kawasaki Steel Corp Gas sealing method of inlet and outlet for steel strip of continuous heat treatment furnace for steel strip
JPS60238425A (en) * 1984-05-09 1985-11-27 Daido Steel Co Ltd Gas seal device
JPH075997B2 (en) * 1986-10-06 1995-01-25 川崎製鉄株式会社 High-temperature gas sealing device for furnace opening of non-oxidizing furnace
JP2905441B2 (en) * 1996-06-24 1999-06-14 中外炉工業株式会社 Sealing device for horizontal metal strip continuous annealing furnace
DE19634693C2 (en) * 1996-08-28 2000-09-28 Mat Gmbh Maschinen Anlagen Tec Method and device for reducing or avoiding the exchange of air or gas in the area of different temperature zones
JP2003129125A (en) * 2001-10-15 2003-05-08 Daido Steel Co Ltd Continuous heat treatment furnace for strip
FR2903122B1 (en) * 2006-06-30 2008-09-12 Stein Heurtey DEVICE FOR SECURING AN OVEN EQUIPPED WITH FAST HEATING AND COOLING OPERATING UNDER CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE.

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EP2507400A1 (en) 2012-10-10
WO2011064732A1 (en) 2011-06-03
FR2953221B1 (en) 2013-06-14
FR2953221A1 (en) 2011-06-03

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