VERTICAL CONTINUOUS ANNEALING FURNACE AND ITS OPERATING METHOD

摘要

The vertical continuous annealing furnace has two furnace covers (21, 41) vertically spaced away from each other. Each furnace cover (21; 41) is laterally slidable with respect to the furnace body (11) and has two long narrow openings (25, 26; 45, 46) through which a strip (1) is passed. There is a relatively small pre-chamber (15) between the first furnace cover (21) above and the second furnace cover (41) below. The space below the second furnace cover (41) constitutes a heating chamber (16). A partition (47) extends from the under surface of the second furnace cover (41) to near the bottom of the furnace, dividing the heating chamber (16) into a heating zone (16a) and a soaking zone (16b). In the method for charging and discharging the strip (1) the two furnace covers (21, 41) are alternately opened and closed, thereby keeping the heating chamber (16) out of exposure to the outside air.