Process and device for accelerated cooling in a continuous annealing line

摘要

Continuous cooling of steel strip (S) consists of subjecting the strip to slow cooling with boiling water followed by rapid quenching in compartments. Between these two cooling operations, the strip is passed through an airlock or sealing device to assure a controlled transition, between the first slow cooling and the second rapid cooling, whilst reducing water losses between the two operations. The continuous cooling of steel strip consists of subjecting the strip to the following operations: (a) a first cooling of the boiling water type; (b) a second cooling with a rapid water or quenching operation; (c) between these two cooling operations, the strip is passed through an airlock or sealing device to assure a controlled transition, preferably by pressure and temperature, between the first slow cooling and the second rapid cooling, whilst reducing water losses between the two cooling operations. The succession of these three operations is operated so that the duration of flow between two consecutive operations is as short as possible. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a device for putting this method of cooling into operation; (b) a method for the regulation of the device by controlling the temperature and pressure in each compartment of the cooling device.