EP3282023A1 - Cooling device and method for cooling continuous elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling device (100) for cooling at least one continuous element (150, 151), comprising a metal plate (115) having a first side and a second side and having a cryogenic gas cooling channel (130), the at least one element (150, 151) on the side of the first side of the metal plate (115) is feasible, wherein the cooling channel (130) at least partially in heat communication with the second side of the metal plate (115), and wherein the cooling channel (130) at a first A cryogenic gas inlet port (131) and a cryogenic gas exit port at a second end, and a hardening device having such a cooling device (100) and a method of cooling at least one continuous element (150, 151 ).

Description

The invention relates to a cooling device and a method for cooling at least one continuous element, for example a belt or wire, and a hardening device for hardening at least one continuous element with such a cooling device.

State of the art

For the production of razor blades and the like, hard steels are required which allow good cutting ability over a long period of time. For this purpose, steel can be hardened. In the course of such a hardening process, the steel is first heated to Austenitisierungstemperatur, then quenched, then further cooled and finally tempered.

In order to harden steel for such blades as quickly and efficiently as possible, the steel is used, for example, in the form of a strip which can pass through the various process stages. In the mentioned further cooling, which serves in particular the adjustment of retained austenite, it is common to use cooling devices which operate with a cooling compressor and corresponding coolant. However, such cooling devices are very energy-intensive, since the more energy has to be expended, the lower the temperatures to be reached should be. In addition, the coolant is environmentally or climate-damaging and the cooling devices are maintenance-intensive due to the compressors used.

For materials other than steel, deviating process sequences may be necessary, which, however, also include a cooling step. Generally, therefore, in the context of this application of the cooling of a continuous element, such as said steel strip, a metal strip or wire, the speech.

It is therefore desirable to provide an option for cooling such continuous elements as energy-efficiently and / or environmentally friendly as possible.

This object is achieved by a method and a device for cooling at least one continuous element and a hardening device with the features of the independent claims.

Advantages of the invention

A cooling device according to the invention serves to cool at least one continuous element. In particular, a strip, in particular a metal strip, in particular as a blade strip and / or steel strip, comes into consideration as element. However, also conceivable wires, in particular metal wires. For this purpose, the cooling device has a metal plate with a first side and a second side and a cooling channel for cryogenic gas. In this case, the at least one element can be guided on the side of the first side of the metal plate. It is expedient in this case if the at least one element bears directly against the first side of the metal plate and is guided along it. However, it is also conceivable that on the metal plate, a coating or a Unterlegematerial is applied, on or on which the element can then be performed.

The cooling channel is now at least partially in heat-conducting connection with the second side of the metal plate. The second side may in particular be a side opposite the first side. The cooling channel may be a pipeline or else a cooling channel introduced into the metal plate or into a further metal plate thermally conductive with the metal plate. For this purpose, the cooling channel can be milled in, for example, whereby the open upper side is sealed with another metal plate (eg by soldering on). The cooling channel, in particular the pipe, can be made of a material that includes in particular copper or aluminum. These are metals that are particularly good conductors of heat and in that the cold of the cryogenic gas, in particular of the nitrogen, is very well transmitted to the metal plate. The heat-conducting connection can be such that the cooling channel is attached directly to the second side of the metal plate, for example soldered. It is conceivable, however, that the cooling channel on an intermediate plate, which is made in particular of the same material as the cooling channel, mounted, for example, soldered or welded, is. This allows greater flexibility in the construction of the cooling device can be achieved.

In addition, the cooling line can be better heat-conductively attached, since two identical materials are joined together. It is understood that then this intermediate plate should be thermally conductively connected to the metal plate. For this purpose, it is conceivable to design the two plate plan and superimpose. However, it may also be expedient to use a thermal compound or the like. The metal plate preferably comprises hard metal, copper or brass. This is on the one hand as low as possible wear of the metal plate achieved in over-running band, on the other hand, the best possible cooling of the metal plate and thus the tape.

In addition, the cooling channel has a connection for a passage of cryogenic gas at a first end and a connection for a discharge of cryogenic gas at a second end. In this way, a supply of the cryogenic gas cooling device and its discharge can be ensured. It should be noted that it is expedient to incorporate the components described in a heat insulated housing to minimize energy losses, as will be explained later. As cryogenic gas in particular nitrogen comes into question, which is then introduced, for example, in liquid form in the cooling channel. The nitrogen can then be taken in particular in gaseous form.

It is understood that, depending on the embodiment, not only one element but also several elements, for example two, three, four or even more can be cooled by means of the cooling device. Also conceivable is a combination of ribbons and wires. Other elements with a suitable cross-section are also possible. For this purpose, the corresponding components, in particular the metal plate can be dimensioned accordingly. However, it is also conceivable to use several metal plates next to each other.

The invention makes use of the fact that a very effective cooling can be achieved by the kroygene gas, in particular the evaporation of liquid nitrogen. When liquid nitrogen is used, the liquid nitrogen in the cooling channel changes to the gaseous state, thereby cooling the cooling channel and thus the metal plate in heat-conducting contact with the cooling channel. In this way, the at least one element which is guided along the metal plate, directly or indirectly, can be cooled very effectively.

The proposed solution is thus an indirect cooling with liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gases. In comparison to direct cooling, where liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gas is applied directly to the cooling parts, indirect cooling offers some advantages. It is possible to reuse the gas used for cooling without contamination by other gases. For this purpose, the gas emerging from the cooling channel can be collected or otherwise forwarded. Some preferred options for this will be explained in more detail below. In particular, the gas does not enter the environment, such as a factory building. In the case of direct cooling, by contrast, the liquid nitrogen, for example, evaporates during cooling and passes directly into the environment. A catch, especially while maintaining the original purity is difficult here possible.

Furthermore, the proposed solution offers advantages over the aforementioned possibility to use a conventional refrigerant compressor for cooling the at least one element. While there are many moving parts in a refrigerant compressor which make the refrigerant compressor maintenance intensive, in the proposed solution, only lines for the cryogenic gas are provided, which hardly require maintenance. In addition, no use of climate-damaging coolant is necessary and the cost of operating the cooling device are significantly lower, since for example, the liquid nitrogen can be easily removed from a reservoir and warmed to the required temperature. Conventional cooling by means of a compressor, on the other hand, requires more energy the colder the temperature reached should be. It should be noted at this point that the temperatures to be achieved can be, for example, in a range between 140 K and 220 K (outlet and inlet of the element) in order to achieve the best possible cooling and in the present case a desired setting of retained austenite in a metal strip , while the temperature of the liquid nitrogen depending on the pressure at eg 77K lies. Conventional Kühlkompressonren, however, usually reach only temperatures of a minimum of about 190 K.

Preferably, the cooling device comprises a cryogenic gas conduit which branches off from the cooling passage at an exit end and is adapted to direct cryogenic gas to an area above the first side of the metal plate. For this the gas line can be guided to corresponding locations in the cooling device. As already mentioned, the proposed solution for cooling allows the reuse of the gas. By now, for example, gaseous nitrogen, which is obtained anyway in the context of cooling, is directed to the at least one element or the metal plate, icing on the element is prevented because the corresponding area is rendered inert. Particularly useful as relevant areas are over the first side of the metal plate an inlet region of the at least one element in the cooling device and / or an outlet region of the at least one element of the cooling device, since the risk of icing is particularly high.

Advantageously, the cooling device further comprises at least one metal cover plate, which can be arranged above the metal plate such that a, in particular narrow, channel for the at least one element between the metal plate and the metal cover plate can be formed. The metal cover plate (or more distributed over the direction of the element) may be provided for this purpose at the lateral edges with webs, so that the metal cover plate rests on the side of the metal plate and thereby forms a gap for the at least one element. Thus, a better and more uniform cooling of the at least one element can be achieved, since the metal cover plate is also cooled via the cooling channel and the metal plate. When using multiple elements to be cooled and separate channels between metal plate and metal cover plate for the individual elements can be formed.

It is advantageous if the cooling channel extends at least in sections, in particular with the formation of turns, from an outlet side of the at least one element to an inlet side of the at least one element. The metal plate and the element can thus be cooled as evenly as possible. The cooling channel can be provided in the form of turns, for example, meandering, so that the most uniform possible cooling of the metal plate is achieved. It is particularly expedient if a flow direction for the cryogenic gas is provided in the cooling channel from the outlet side to the inlet side, since in this way on the inlet side of the band, for example, the nitrogen is already gaseous and thus achieves a lower cooling than on the outlet side of the element at which the nitrogen is still liquid. This arrangement corresponds in particular to the Principle of the countercurrent heat exchanger. The element can thus be cooled further and further from the inlet side to the outlet side.

Preferably, the cooling device further comprises an outer housing, in which the metal plate and the cooling channel are arranged, wherein the metal plate, the cooling channel and the at least one element in the circumferential direction of the at least one element of an insulating housing made of heat-insulating material, in particular glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP), is surrounded. The metal plate with the cooling channel, so the heat exchanger element, thus has no direct contact with the outer housing. Thus, losses due to heat conduction can be reduced, since a thermal separation of the cooled components to the outer housing is present. It is useful if the insulation housing is connected only at discrete locations with the outer housing. Thus, the necessary for the stable support contact can be achieved and also the losses due to heat conduction can be further reduced. The gas line for inerting can then be expediently passed through the insulation housing to the corresponding area.

Advantageously, the outer housing and the insulating housing each have a bottom part and a lid. Here, the bottom parts of the outer housing and insulation housing can then be connected to each other, as well as the cover of the outer housing and insulation housing can be connected together. This can be very easily inserted the at least one element in the cooling device, since when opening the outer housing and the insulation housing is opened with.

A hardening device according to the invention serves for hardening at least one continuous element and has a cooling device according to the invention as well as an oven and a control valve. The furnace is arranged in the running direction of the at least one element in front of the cooling device and can thus be used for the initial heating and thus curing of the element. It is now a gas line for cryogenic gas provided by means of which from the cooling channel of the cooling device escaping gas in the oven can be conducted. In the oven, the gas can then, if appropriate, with the admixture of, for example, hydrogen (H ₂ ), are used to form a protective gas atmosphere. The control valve is disposed after discharge of cryogenic gas from the cooling passage and usable to flow of cryogenic gas through the cooling channel and / or at least one temperature in the cooling device. The control itself can be done, for example, by a suitable computing unit and a motor driven by it, with which the control valve can be adjusted. The size of the flow opening in the control valve thus serves as a control variable for the control. Appropriately, a trained as a proportional valve control valve.

In the proposed hardening device, therefore, part of the cryogenic gas can be reused after cooling, specifically to form a protective gas atmosphere in the furnace, for which, for example, nitrogen is needed anyway. In this way, therefore, the use of the cooling device is even more efficient. It is particularly expedient in this case if the entire gas used for cooling is reused, namely for the protective gas atmosphere in the furnace and the inerting in the cooling device. The regulation of the flow of the cryogenic gas or the temperature on the outlet side control valve allows a particularly simple control, since a gas flow at room temperature is easier to set than a flow of liquid nitrogen, for example, which is usually present as a two-phase flow. As temperatures to be controlled here in particular the already mentioned temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the belt in or out of the cooling device come into question. Likewise, the temperature of the element itself can be used as a control variable.

A method according to the invention serves to cool at least one continuous element, wherein in particular a cooling device or hardening device according to the invention is used. In this case, the at least one element is guided on the side of a first side of a metal plate, wherein the metal plate is cooled by cryogenic gas is passed through a cooling channel, which is thermally conductively connected to a second side of the metal plate.

With regard to further, more advantageous Ausführfomen and the advantages of the proposed method, reference is made at this point to avoid repetition of the above statements on the cooling device and hardening device according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1

schematically shows a cooling device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 2

schematically shows a section of the cooling device FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3

schematically shows a further section of the cooling device FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 4

schematically shows a cooling device according to the invention in a further preferred embodiment

FIG. 5

schematically shows a hardening device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

Embodiment of the invention

In FIG. 1 schematically, a cooling device 100 according to the invention is shown in a preferred embodiment, here in a cross-sectional view, with which a method according to the invention can be carried out. The cooling device 100 here has a housing 101, in which a metal plate 115, for example made of brass, is arranged. By way of example, two metal bands 150, 151 can be guided along a first, here the upper side, of the metal plate 115 (perpendicular to the plane of the drawing) on the metal plate.

Furthermore, an intermediate plate 110, for example made of copper, is shown, with which a cooling channel 130 is connected in a heat-conducting manner. The cooling channel is present here in the form of a pipeline or cooling line. The cooling line 130, which for example also consists of copper, has a connection 131 for the entry of liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gases. The connection for the exit of gaseous nitrogen is not visible in this view. Incidentally, for a connection of the cooling device or the cooling line to a nitrogen circuit FIG. 5 directed.

The intermediate plate 110 is further thermally conductively connected to the metal plate 115. Thus, the cooling line 130 is thermally conductively connected to a second, here the lower side of the metal plate 115. This is achieved in that by the cooling line 130th flowing and thereby evaporating liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gases via the intermediate plate 110, the metal plate 115 and thus the guided along it metal bands 150, 151 are cooled. Overall, this is an indirect cooling with liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gases.

It should be noted that instead of a cooling line 130, the cooling channel could also be milled and covered in the intermediate plate 110 or the metal plate 115.

Furthermore, a metal cover plate 120, which for example may likewise be made of brass, is shown, which can be arranged above the metal plate 115 such that a channel for the metal strips 150, 151 is formed between the metal plate 115 and the metal cover plate 120. For this purpose, the metal cover plate 120 on the metal plate 115 facing, here the lower side at their lateral ends webs with which they can be placed on the metal plate 115.

Furthermore, a gas line 135 for example gaseous nitrogen is shown here, which branches off from an exit-side end of the cooling line 130 and over an area over the first side of the metal plate 115, ie on the bands 150, 151, directed. In this way, the gaseous nitrogen can be at least partially reused after the cooling, namely for an inerting of the area above the metal plate 115 or the metal bands 150, 151 in order to prevent icing due to condensation, which arises during cooling.

Furthermore, it should be mentioned that in the housing 101 of the cooling device 110 insulating material may be provided to isolate the cooled components against the ambient heat and thus to enable more efficient cooling.

In FIG. 2 is the intermediate plate 110 made FIG. 1 from below (in relation to the illustration in FIG. 1 ). Here, the cooling line 130 can be seen in more detail, which has some exemplary, in particular meandering, windings. For example, the cooling duct may be soldered or welded to the intermediate plate 110 and / or secured thereto by means of clamps or the like. In addition, the port 131 for the entry of liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gases into the cooling line 130 and the port 132 for the exit of gaseous nitrogen from the cooling line 130 can be seen.

Furthermore, the gas line 135 can be seen, by means of which outlet side of the cooling line 130 gaseous nitrogen taken or branched off and - as in relation to FIG. 1 already explained - can be used for inerting. It is understood that at the branch or in the gas line 135, a valve, such as a throttle valve, may be provided to adjust the desired amount of gas.

In FIG. 3 is the metal plate 115 made FIG. 1 from above (in relation to the illustration in FIG. 1 ). Here, the metal bands 150 and 151 are shown in more detail, which are guided on the metal plate 115 along. For this purpose, the passage direction of the metal bands is indicated by an arrow. The metal plate 115 may be, for example, about 1 m long (in the direction of passage).

Further, it can be seen that the liquid nitrogen or other cryogenic gas inlet port 131 is disposed on the outlet side of the metal bands and the gaseous nitrogen outlet 132 is disposed on the upstream side of the metal straps. In this way it is achieved that the outlet side is cooled more than the inlet side, so that overall an efficient cooling of the continuous metal bands is achieved.

In addition, again the gas line 135 can be seen, by means of which gaseous nitrogen can be brought to inertization on the upper side of the metal plate 115 and on the metal bands 150, 151. It is understood that a plurality of gas outlet openings may be provided on the gas line 135, which are distributed over the extension of the metal plate 115 in the direction of passage.

In FIG. 4 schematically a cooling device 100 'according to the invention is shown in a further preferred embodiment. The heat exchanger unit, which here comprises the metal plate 110, the intermediate plate 115, the metal cover plate 120 and the cooling channel 130 (here without connections) is arranged by means of supports on a bottom part 170 of an insulating housing. A cover 171 of the insulating housing is arranged on the bottom part and the heat exchanger unit surrounding.

The gas line 135 for inerting, as in FIG. 3 is shown, may then be conveniently laid through the insulation housing to the corresponding area, so that, for example, nitrogen is passed to the bands. The introduced gas flows to the outlet-side ends and indeed also along the cold heat exchanger element and cools off again, in particular at the cold spots of the heat exchanger element. The gas flows and would thus increase the heat transfer to the entire outer housing, whereby the insulation performance is reduced. The insulation housing can therefore also prevent the contact of the gas for the inerting to the outer housing.

The insulation housing can be made for example of glass fiber reinforced plastic (GRP), which acts as a heat-insulating. The insulating housing is now arranged in an outer housing, comprising a bottom part 160 and a cover 161, the cooling device 100 '. While the bottom part 170 of the insulating housing is arranged here directly on the bottom part 160 of the outer housing, the cover 171 of the insulating housing is only connected to the lid 161 of the outer housing at individual, discrete locations, one of which is denoted by 175, so that a gap between the covers remains and as little as possible losses caused by heat conduction.

Now, if the lid 161, which is connected via a hinge 180 to the bottom part 160 of the outer housing, is opened, so the lid 171 of the insulating housing is opened. In the closed state, the outer housing is then sealed by the seals 181 between bottom part 160 and cover 161. In addition, cover 171 and bottom part 170 of the insulating housing should be matched to one another so that the heat exchanger unit is surrounded as completely as possible. It is understood that openings for the at least one element at the inlet and outlet must be provided.

The outer housing can be made particularly cost-effective in this way, since less attention must be paid to insulation than without the use of the insulating housing. In particular, the outer housing can also be welded, so that no moisture can penetrate.

In FIG. 5 schematically a hardening device 200 according to the invention is shown in a preferred embodiment in the form of a flow chart, with which also a method according to the invention can be carried out. The hardening device comprises a furnace 201, which is separated from the metal strip 150 (in comparison to FIGS Figuren1 and 3 Here, for the sake of clarity, only one metal band is shown) is passed through first according to the passage direction (indicated by an arrow).

Subsequently, the metal strip 150 passes through a quenching device 202, in which the metal strip 150 is shock-cooled, the cooling device 100 and finally a starting device 203. The cooling device 100 is the one with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3 already detailed cooling device. In this respect, reference is also made to the statements there. However, it could also be the cooling device 100 'according to FIG. 4 be used.

Furthermore, a tank 204 for liquid nitrogen is shown, from which liquid Sticktoff removed and via a shut-off and / or throttle valve 250 of the cooling device 100 is supplied. For this purpose, a suitable line, suitably isolated, can be used, which then to the in the FIGS. 1 to 3 shown terminal 131 and thus can be connected to the cooling line 130.

Gaseous nitrogen can now leave the cooling device 110 via a heat exchanger 255. The gas line 135, via which a portion of the gaseous nitrogen can be removed, is indicated here for the sake of clarity outside the cooling device 100.

In the heat exchanger 255 can now be heated after the branch still remaining, gaseous nitrogen. As an alternative to the heat exchanger, an electrical heating device can also be provided.

Subsequently, the gaseous nitrogen is passed through a throttle valve 260 and a control valve 273. In this case, a bypass via the shut-off and / or throttle valve 263 is provided. In the present case, the control valve 273 comprises a motor-driven actuator which, in turn, can be actuated via a computing unit 280, for example.

The computing unit 280 is further configured to detect a temperature in the cooling device 100, for example by means of a temperature sensor 180 at the outlet for the metal strip 150 in the cooling device 100. Now, a control for this temperature can be provided, in the context of which a flow opening of the control valve 273 is used as a manipulated variable. In this way, the temperature in the cooling device can be controlled by adjusting the flow of gaseous nitrogen from the cooling line, which also affects the flow of liquid nitrogen. It is understood that in this way the temperature at the outlet of the metal strip can be controlled.

Desirable temperatures, for example, about 140 K to 150 K at the outlet of the metal strip. In this way, on the one hand the best possible Restaustenitumwanldung done in the metal strip and on the other hand too much icing can be avoided.

Furthermore, now the gaseous nitrogen can be supplied via the valves 271 and 261 further consumers and via the gas line 210 in particular the furnace 201. In this case, a safety or overpressure valve 270, which opens, for example, from a pressure of 13.5 bar, can be provided.

The supply for the further consumers or the furnace via an evaporator 274 and a valve 274 may be connected to a supply line from the tank 204. In this way, on the one hand a possible shortage of gaseous nitrogen for the other consumers or the furnace 201 can be tracked from the tank 204.

In order to ensure a secure gas flow, the valves 261, 274 and 271 can release the reflux only from pressures of 12 bar, 12.5 bar and 13 bar (in this order). It is understood that other pressures in ascending order are possible.

In the furnace 201, the gaseous nitrogen can now be used to form a protective gas atmosphere. In this way, the resulting in the context of cooling the metal strip gaseous nitrogen - in addition to the use for inerting - to be reused. Overall, this allows a very energy-efficient and environmentally friendly process to cool metal strips.

Claims (15)

Cooling device (100) for cooling at least one continuous element (150, 151), comprising a metal plate (115) having a first side and a second side and having a cooling channel (130) for a cryogenic gas, wherein the at least one element (150, 151) can be guided on the side of the first side of the metal plate (115), wherein the cooling channel (130) at least in sections with the second side of the metal plate (115) is thermally conductively connected, and wherein the cooling passage (130) has at a first end a port (131) for a vent of the cryogenic gas and at a second end a port (132) for a discharge of the cryogenic gas The cooling device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a gas line (135) for the cryogenic gas branching at an exit side end from the cooling passage (130) and configured to inject cryogenic gas into an area above the first side of the metal plate (115 ). Cooling device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the region above the first side of the metal plate (115) has an inlet region of the at least one strip (150, 151) into the cooling device (100) and / or an exit region of the at least one strip (150, 151 ) from the cooling device (100). Cooling device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one metal cover plate (120), which can be arranged above the metal plate (115) such that a channel for the at least one element (150, 151) between the metal plate (115) and the metal cover plate (120) is bildbild. Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling channel (130) at least in sections, in particular with formation of turns, from an outlet side of the at least one element (150, 151) to an inlet side of the at least one band (150, 151). extends. Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling channel (130) comprises a pipeline and / or in the metal plate (115) or in one with the metal plate (115) thermally conductive in connection, another metal plate is introduced. Cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one element (150, 151) comprises a band, in particular a metal band, further in particular a blade band, and / or a wire, in particular a metal wire. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cryogenic gas comprises liquid and / or gaseous nitrogen. Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an outer housing (160, 161), in which the metal plate (115) and the cooling channel (130) are arranged, wherein the metal plate (115), the cooling channel (130) and the at least one element (150, 151) in the circumferential direction of the at least one element (150, 151) by an insulating housing (170, 171) of heat-insulating material, in particular glass fiber reinforced plastic, is surrounded, and wherein in particular the insulating housing (170, 171) only in discrete places with the outer housing (160, 161) is connected. Cooling device according to claim 9, wherein the outer housing (160, 161) and the insulating housing (170, 171) each have a bottom part (160, 170) and a cover (161, 171), wherein the bottom parts (160, 170) of outer housing and Insulating housing are connected to each other, and wherein the covers (161, 171) of the housing and the insulating housing are connected together. A hardening device (200) for at least one continuous element (150), comprising a cooling device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, an oven (201) and a control valve (273), wherein the furnace (201) is arranged in front of the cooling device (100) in the running direction of the at least one element (150), wherein a gas line (210) is provided for cryogenic gas, by means of which from the cooling channel (130) of the cooling device (100) exiting cryogenic gas in the furnace (201) is conductive, and wherein the control valve (273) is disposed after exit of cryogenic gas from the cooling passage (130) and is operable to control a flow of cryogenic gas through the cooling passage (130) and / or at least one temperature in the cooling device (100) , Method for cooling at least one continuous element (150), in particular using a cooling device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 or a hardening device (200) according to claim 14, wherein the at least one element (150, 151) is guided on the side of a first side of a metal plate (115), and wherein the metal plate (115) is cooled by passing cryogenic gas through a cooling channel (130) in heat communication with a second side of the metal plate (115) to indirectly cool the continuous element (150). A method according to claim 12, wherein cryogenic gas leaving the cooling channel (130) is provided for at least one further application, in particular into a furnace (201) which is passed through the at least one element (150) before cooling in the furnace (150) to form a protective gas atmosphere. Method according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein as the at least one element (150, 151) a band, in particular metal band, more particularly a blade band, and / or a wire, in particular a metal wire is used. Method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein nitrogen is used as the cryogenic gas, which is introduced in particular in liquid form into the cooling channel (130) and is removed in gaseous form from the cooling channel (130).

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