Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a steel plate in which
hot rolling, shape correction, and accelerated cooling are performed.
Background Art
[0002] In recent years, controlled cooling has been increasingly applied as a manufacturing
process of steel plate. However, in general, hot-rolled steel plates do not necessarily
have uniformity in shapes, surface properties and the like. Therefore, temperature
non-uniformity tends to occur in the steel plates during cooling, as a result of which,
for example, deformation, residual stress, and non-uniformity in material quality
occur in the steel plates after the cooling, thereby resulting in poor quality and
operational problems.
[0003] Therefore, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method in which descaling immediately
before and/or immediately after a last pass of finish rolling, hot correction, descaling
forced cooling are performed in this order. In addition, Patent Literature 2 discloses
a method in which descaling is performed after finish rolling and hot shape correction,
and forced cooling is performed thereafter. Further, Patent Literature 3 discloses
a method in which, descaling is performed immediately before controlled cooling with
controlling impact pressure of cooling water. Further, Patent Literature 4 discloses
a steel plate manufacturing facility comprising a hot rolling mill, a hot leveler,
a descaler and cooling equipment, wherein a pressure at the point of impact of cooling
water sprayed from the descaler to each surface of the steel plate is greater than
or equal to 1.5 MPa. However, Patent Literature 4 does not disclose the energy density
of the descaling water.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0004]
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-57327
PTL 2: Japanese Patent No. 3796133
PTL 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-247228
PTL 4: EP 2 412 455 A1
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0005] However, when a steel plate is actually manufactured by the aforementioned methods
of Patent Literatures 1 and 2, scales are not completely peeled off in the descaling.
Rather, scale non-uniformity occurs in which the scales are partly peeled off by the
descaling. Therefore, uniform cooling cannot be performed in controlled cooling. In
the method in Patent Literature 3, high impact pressure is required to prevent scale
non-uniformity. Therefore, low impact pressure causes scale non-uniformity, as a result
of which uniform cooling cannot be performed in controlled cooling.
[0006] In particular, in recent years, steel plates are required to have strict levels of
uniformity in material quality. Therefore, adverse effects of the non-uniformity of
cooling speed in controlled cooling, which is caused by the above-described scale
non-uniformity, in particular, on uniformity in material quality in a width direction
of steel plate are no longer negligible.
[0007] The present invention is made in view of the aforementioned problems that are not
solved by the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for manufacturing steel plate having excellent shapes and excellent mechanical properties,
by performing uniform cooling in a cooling step by uniformizing scales that are generated
on surfaces of the steel plate uniform in a descaling step.
Solution to Problem
[0008] The inventors carried out assiduous studies regarding forces that cause scales to
be peeled off by using descaling water, and found out that, when descaling is performed
after hot shape correction, if two or more rows of jetting nozzles of descaling apparatus
are set in a longitudinal direction of the steel plate, and if the energy density
of the descaling water that is jetted to the steel plate from the two or more rows
of jetting nozzles is greater than or equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 in total, the thicknesses of scales that are generated on product surfaces become
uniform. As a result, when the steel plate passes through an accelerated cooling apparatus,
the steel plate can be uniformly cooled almost without variations in surface temperatures
at locations on the steel plate in a width direction thereof, to have excellent shapes.
[0009] The invention provides a method for manufacturing a steel plate according to the
appended claims.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to manufacture steel plates having
excellent shapes and excellent mechanical properties by performing uniform cooling
in the cooling step as a result of uniformizing scales that are generated on surfaces
of the thick steel sheets in the descaling step.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0011]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a facility for manufacturing a steel plate
according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 illustrates temperature distribution of a steel plate in a width direction
thereof in a prior art.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a graph showing, in descaling apparatus, the relationship between
energy density of descaling water that is jetted and scale thickness at surfaces of
a steel plate product.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 shows the relationship between jetting-nozzle jetting distance and
fluid velocity in the descaling apparatus.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 shows a surface temperature distribution of locations on a steel plate
according to the present invention in a width direction thereof.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the arrangement relationship of jetting
nozzles of the descaling apparatus, with Fig. 6(a) being a schematic view showing
the relationship between the positions of jetting nozzles and Fig. 6(b) being a schematic
view of a spray pattern.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a side view of an accelerated cooling apparatus.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a side view of another accelerated cooling apparatus.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary nozzle arrangement at a partition wall.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 illustrates flow of drainage cooling water along an upper side of
the partition wall.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 illustrates another flow of drainage cooling water along the upper
side of the partition wall.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 illustrates flow of cooling water in the accelerated cooling apparatus.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 illustrates flow of cooling water in the accelerated cooling apparatus.
[Fig. 14] Fig. 14 illustrates non-interference with respect to drainage cooling water
along the upper side of the partition wall in the accelerated cooling apparatus. Description
of Embodiment
[0012] An embodiment according to the method of the present invention is described below
with reference to the drawings.
[0013] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a facility for manufacturing a steel plate according
to an embodiment of the method the present invention. In Fig. 1, the direction of
an arrow corresponds to a conveyance direction of the steel plate. From an upstream
side in the conveyance direction of the steel plate, a heating furnace 1, a descaling
apparatus 2, a rolling apparatus 3, a shape correcting apparatus 4, a descaling apparatus
6, a descaling apparatus 7, and an accelerated cooling apparatus 5 are set in this
order. In Fig. 1, after re-heating a slab (not shown), which is a rolling material,
in the heating furnace 1, the slab is descaled for primary scale removal in the descaling
apparatus 2. Then, the rolling apparatus 3 performs rough rolling and finish rolling
on the slab, so that the slab is rolled to form a steel plate having a predetermined
plate thickness (not shown). Only one rolling apparatus 3, which is illustrated, is
used. The rolling apparatus 3 may include a rough rolling apparatus and a finish rolling
apparatus. After the shape correcting apparatus 4 has corrected the shape of the steel
plate, the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 perform descaling for
completely removing scale. Thereafter, the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 performs
controlled cooling by water cooling or air cooling. Here, with regard to the shape
of the steel plate after the cooling, it is suitable to perform accelerated cooling
after adjusting the shape of the steel plate via the shape correcting apparatus 4.
The shape correcting apparatus 4 corrects distortion of the steel plate that occurs
during hot rolling. Fig. 1 shows the shape correcting apparatus of a roller leveler
type, which compresses the steel plate by using shape correcting rollers disposed
in a staggered arrangement in a vertical direction. The shape correcting apparatus
is not limited to the roller leveler type. The shape correcting apparatus may be a
skin pass type or a press type. When the rolling apparatus 3 includes a rough rolling
machine and a finish rolling apparatus, skin pass correction may be performed by using
the finish rolling apparatus.
[0014] In the accelerated cooling apparatus 5, the steel plate is cooled to a predetermined
temperature by using cooling water that is jetted from an upper surface cooling facility
and a lower surface cooling facility. Thereafter, if necessary, the shape of the steel
plate is further corrected by using a shape correcting apparatus (not shown) provided
on-line or off-line at a downstream side. This shape correcting apparatus corrects
distortion of the steel plate that occurs during the cooling by the accelerated cooling
apparatus 5. In the present invention, this shape correcting apparatus need not be
used. This shape correcting apparatus may be a skin pass type or a press type in addition
to a roller leveler type.
[0015] In the present embodiment, two sets of descaling apparatus, that is, the descaling
apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 are set between the shape correcting apparatus
4 and the accelerated cooling apparatus 5. Energy density E of descaling water that
is jetted to surfaces of the steel plate from the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling
apparatus 7 is greater than or equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 in total for the two rows of jetting nozzles. The descaling machine 6 and the descaling
apparatus 7 remove scale generated on the surfaces of the steel plate, and then the
accelerated cooling apparatus 5 cools the steel plate to make it possible to improve
the shape and the mechanical properties of the steel plate. The descaling apparatus
shown in Fig. 1 is formed in only two rows. Descaling apparatus may be formed in three
or more rows. When descaling apparatus are formed in three or more rows, the energy
density E of the descaling water that is jetted to the surfaces of the steel plate
is greater than or equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 in total for the number of rows.
[0016] The reasons are as follows. In an existing rolling facility, when scales are removed
by a descaling apparatus after shape correction, the scales may be partly removed.
In this case, since the scales are not uniformly peeled off, variations in scale thickness
of approximately 10 to 50 µm occurs. In this case, it is difficult to, thereafter,
uniformly cool the steel plate by using the accelerated cooling apparatus. That is,
when the steel plate having variations in a scale thickness distribution is subjected
to accelerated cooling in an existing rolling facility, variations in surface temperature
at locations in a width direction become large as shown in Fig. 2, thereby preventing
uniform cooling. As a result, the shape of the steel plate is affected.
[0017] In relation to this, the inventors found out that, depending upon descaling conditions,
scales are not sufficiently peeled off and scale non-uniformity is increased instead.
In addition, the inventors carried out assiduous studies regarding the conditions
that enable scales to be sufficiently peeled off. The result of the studies makes
it clear that, when descaling is performed after shape correction, if the descaling
apparatus is such as to be formed in two or more rows set in a longitudinal direction
of the steel plate between the shape correcting apparatus and the accelerated cooling
apparatus, and if the energy density E of the descaling water that is jetted to the
surfaces of the steel plate from the two or more rows of jetting nozzles of the descaling
apparatus is greater than or equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 in total for the two or more rows of jetting nozzles, the thickness of scale that
is regenerated thereafter becomes uniform at 5 µm or less.
[0018] At the time of descaling, by cooling the scale surface with descaling water, thermal
stress is generated in the scale, and impact force acts due to the descaling water.
As a result, the scale is removed by peeling or destruction. The inventors carried
out assiduous studies and found out that, by performing descaling two or more times
after hot shape correction, the effects of thermal stress that is generated at the
time of descaling can be provided two or more times. In addition, the inventors found
out that, as shown in Fig. 3, the scale can be removed more efficiently when the descaling
is performed two times than when the descaling is performed only one time. Further,
the inventors found out that, if the energy density E of the descaling water that
is jetted to the steel plate from the two rows of jetting nozzles of the descaling
apparatus is greater than equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 in total, the scale thickness of the product is reduced and becomes uniform. The
number of jettings shown in Fig. 3 is two. The inventors confirmed that even if the
number of jettings is three or more, the same effects are obtained. This is because,
by the descaling, scale is completely and uniformly peeled off once, and then, scale
is uniformly and thinly regenerated. Therefore, according to the present invention,
since the scale thickness of the steel plate before the steel plate passes through
the accelerated cooling apparatus is small and uniform, when the steel plate passes
through the accelerated cooling apparatus, the steel plate can be uniformly cooled
almost without variations in surface temperatures of locations on the steel plate
in the width direction thereof. Therefore, the steel plate has an excellent shape
and excellent mechanical properties.
[0019] Here, the energy density E (J/mm
2) of the descaling water that is jetted to the steel plate indicates the capability
of removing scale by descaling, and is defined by the following Expression (1):
where Q: jetting flow rate [m3/s] of descaling water,
d: spray jet thickness [mm] of flat nozzle,
W: spray jet width [mm] of flat nozzle,
fluid density is denoted by ρ [kg/m3],
fluid velocity at the time of collision with steel plate is denoted by v [m/s],
collision time is denoted by t [s] (t = d/1000 V; conveyance velocity is denoted by
V [m/s].
[0020] However, it is not necessarily easy to measure the fluid velocity v at the time of
collision with the steel plate. Therefore, strictly determining the energy density
E defined by Expression (1) is very difficult.
[0021] Accordingly, the inventors carried out further studies and found out that, as a simple
definition of energy density E (J/mm
2) of the descaling water that is jetted to the steel plate, the expression "(water
amount density) × (jetting pressure) × (collision time)" may be used. Here, the water
amount density (m
3/(mm
2 · min)) is a value that is calculated by using "jetting flow rate of descaling water
÷ collision area of descaling water". The jetting pressure (N/m
2 (= Pa)) is defined by ejection pressure of descaling water. The collision time (s)
is a value that is calculated by using "collision thickness of descaling water ÷ conveyance
velocity of steel plate". In the present invention, the energy density E has no upper
limit as descaling capability. When the energy density E becomes greater than or equal
to 0.80 J/mm
2 in total for two or more rows of jetting nozzles, for example, the pump discharge
pressure becomes extraordinarily high. Therefore, this is not desirable.
[0022] Next, the inventors carried out studies regarding the fluid velocity v of descaling
water that is jetted from the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 6 and the
descaling apparatus 7. The inventors found out that the relationship between the fluid
velocity v and the jetting distance is as shown in Fig. 4. The fluid velocity, which
is indicated along the vertical axis, is determined by solving an equation of motion
considering buoyancy and air resistance. The fluid velocity v of descaling water is
reduced as the descaling water moves and reaches the steel plate during jetting. Therefore,
the smaller the jetting distance, the higher the fluid velocity v at the time of collision
with the steel plate, so that a large energy density can be provided. From Fig. 4,
in particular, since attenuation becomes large as a jetting distance H exceeds 200
mm, it is desirable that the jetting distance H be less than or equal to 200 mm.
[0023] The shorter the jetting distance, the smaller the jetting pressure, the jetting flow
rate, etc., for providing a predetermined energy density can be made, so that it is
possible to reduce the pumping power of the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling
apparatus 7. In the embodiment according to the present invention shown in Fig. 1,
the steel plate whose shape has been corrected by the shape correcting apparatus 4
moves into the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7. Therefore, the
jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 can be
brought close to the surfaces of the steel plate. However, considering contact between
the jetting nozzles and the steel plate, it is desirable that the jetting distance
be greater than or equal to 40 mm. From the above, in the present invention, it is
desirable that the jetting distance H be greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than
or equal to 200 mm.
[0024] The pump discharge power of the ordinary descaling apparatus 6 and descaling apparatus
7 is greater than or equal to 14.7 MPa. Therefore, it is desirable that the jetting
pressure of descaling water be greater than or equal to 14.7 MPa. The upper limit
of the jetting pressure is not particularly determined. However, when the jetting
pressure becomes large, the pumps that supply descaling water consume an extraordinarily
large amount of energy. Therefore, it is desirable that the jetting pressure be less
than or equal to 50 MPa.
[0025] In this way, according to the embodiment, the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling
apparatus 7 in which the energy density E of the descaling water that is jetted from
two or more jetting nozzles is set greater than or equal to 0.08 J/mm
2 remove the scale that is generated on the surfaces of the steel plate. As a result,
variations in scale thickness are eliminated. Therefore, when the steel plate is cooled
by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5, as shown in Fig. 5, the steel plate can be
uniformly cooled almost without variations in surface temperatures of locations in
the width direction, and have excellent shape and mechanical properties.
[0026] In the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7, for example, as shown
in Fig. 6(a), a descale header 6-1 of the descaling apparatus 6 and a descale header
7-1 of the descaling apparatus 7 are formed in two rows in the longitudinal direction
of the steel plate. The descale headers shown in Fig. 6(a) are configured in two rows.
Descale headers may be configured in three or more rows. Here, since the above-described
effect is no longer increased when the number of rows exceeds three, it is desirable
that the upper limit be three rows. Descaling water is jetted from a plurality of
jetting nozzles 6-2 and 7-2 of the descale headers to the steel plate, and a spray
pattern 22 as shown in Fig. 6(b) is formed.
[0027] Regarding the arrangement relationship of the jetting nozzles 6-2 of the descaling
apparatus 6 and the jetting nozzles 7-2 of the descaling apparatus 7, in order to
prevent splashed descaling water from the second row from interfering with descaling
water from the first row, it is desirable that the jetting nozzles 6-2 be separated
from the jetting nozzles 7-2 by 500 mm or more in the longitudinal direction. Further,
as shown in Fig. 6(b), it is desirable that jetting patterns in the width direction
be such that the first row and the second row are in a staggered arrangement. The
energy density of the descaling water jetted from two jetting nozzles, the jetting
nozzle 6-2 and the jetting nozzle 7-2, is such that, after a crack has been formed
in scale by the thermal stress effect produced by the descaling by the first row,
the scale is removed at a high energy density by the descaling by the second row to
allow the scale to be efficiently removed. Accordingly, in order to form a crack in
the scale by the thermal stress effect produced by the descaling by the first row,
it is essential that the energy density of the descaling water from the first row
be greater than or equal to 0.01 J/mm
2, and that the energy density of the descaling water from the second row be greater
than that of the descaling water from the first row by 0.04 J/mm
2 or greater. Even if descaling apparatus is configured in three or more rows, it is
desirable that the nozzle rows be separated by 500 mm or more in the longitudinal
direction and be in a staggered arrangement. When the descaling apparatus is configured
in three or more rows, due to the same reason as when the descaling apparatus is configured
in two rows, it is essential that the energy density of the descaling water jetted
from the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus in a row just before the final
row be greater than or equal to 0.01 J/mm
2 and that the energy density of the descaling water jetted from the jetting nozzles
of the descaling apparatus in the final row be greater than the energy density of
the descaling water jetted from the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus in
the row just before the final row by 0.04 J/mm
2 or greater.
[0028] Since it is after the correction of the shape of the steel plate by the shape correcting
apparatus 4, it is possible to bring the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus
6 and the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 7 close to the surfaces of the
steel plate whose shape has been corrected. As a result, descaling capability is increased.
[0029] The scale on the surfaces of the steel plate that affects the stability of cooling
of the steel plate by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is such that, in general,
the growth of the scale on the steel plate can be determined by diffusion control,
and is known to be represented by the next Expression (2):
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0002)
where ξ: scale thickness, a: constant, Q: activation energy, R: constant, T: temperature
[K] of steel plate before cooling, and t: time.
[0030] Therefore, considering the growth of the scale after removing the scale by the descaling
apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7, a simulation experiment for the scale growth
was conducted for various temperatures and times, the constant in Expression (2) above
was experimentally derived, and, further, assiduous tests were carried out regarding
the scale thickness and cooling stability. The result is that the cooling becomes
stable when the scale thickness is less than or equal to 15 µm, becomes more stable
when the scale thickness is less than or equal to 10 µm, and becomes very stable when
the scale thickness is less than or equal to 5 µm.
[0031] When the scale thickness is less than or equal to 15 µm, the following Expression
(3) can be derived based on Expression (2) above. That is, when the time t [s] from
the completion of the removal of the scale on the steel plate by the descaling apparatus
7, which is the downstream-side one of the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling
apparatus 7, to the start of the cooling of the steel plate by the accelerated cooling
apparatus 5 satisfies the following Expression (3), the cooling by the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5 becomes stable:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0003)
where T [K]: temperature of steel plate before cooling.
[0032] When the scale thickness is less than or equal to 10 µm, the following Expression
(4) can be derived based on Expression (2) above. That is, when the time t [s] from
the completion of the removal of the scale on the steel plate by the descaling apparatus
7 to the start of the cooling of the steel plate by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 satisfies the following Expression (4), the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 becomes more stable:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0004)
[0033] Further, when the scale thickness is less than or equal to 5 µm, the following Expression
(5) can be derived based on Expression (2) above. That is, when the time t [s] from
the completion of the removal of the scale on the steel plate by the descaling apparatus
7 to the start of the cooling of the steel plate by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 satisfies the following Expression (5), the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 becomes very stable:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0005)
[0034] A distance L from an exit side of the descaling apparatus 7 to an entrance side of
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is set so as to satisfy the following Expression
(6) in relation to the conveyance velocity of the steel plate V and the time t (time
from the completion of a descaling step by the descaling apparatus 7 to the start
of a step by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5):
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0006)
where L: distance (m) from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated cooling apparatus
5, V: conveyance velocity of the steel plate (m/s), and t: time (s).
[0035] The following Expression (7) can be derived from Expression (6) and Expression (3)
above. In the present invention, it is desirable that Expression (7) be satisfied:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0007)
[0036] The following Expression (8) can be derived from Expression (6) and Expression (4)
above. In the present invention, it is desirable that Expression (8) be satisfied:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0008)
[0037] Further, the following Expression (9) can be derived from Expression (6) and Expression
(5) above. In the present invention, it is desirable that Expression (9) be satisfied:
![](https://data.epo.org/publication-server/image?imagePath=2021/04/DOC/EPNWB1/EP15836765NWB1/imgb0009)
[0038] On the basis of Expressions (7) to (9) above, for example, in the case where the
temperature of the steel plate before the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 is 820°C and the conveyance velocity of the steel plate is from 0.28 to 2.50 m/s,
the cooling becomes stable when the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7 to the
accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is greater than or equal to 12 m and less than or
equal to 107 m; the cooling becomes more stable when the distance L is greater than
or equal to 5 m and less than or equal to 47 m, and the cooling becomes very stable
when the distance L is greater than or equal to 1.3 m and less than or equal to 12
m.
[0039] Therefore, when the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5 is less than or equal to 12 m, even if the conveyance velocity
V of the steel plate is low (for example, V = 0.28 m/s), the cooling becomes stable,
whereas when the conveyance velocity of the steel plate V is high (for example, V
= 2.50 m/s), the cooling becomes very stable. Therefore, this is desirable. It is
more desirable that the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5 is less than or equal to 5 m.
[0040] Further, in general, considering that most of the steel plates that require controlled
cooling are transported at the conveyance velocity V of greater than or equal to 0.5
m/s, it is desirable that the distance L, which is a condition in which the cooling
becomes very stable at this conveyance velocity V, be less than or equal to 2.5 m.
[0041] Here, the case in which the temperature of the steel plate before the cooling by
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is 820°C is described. Even in the case in which
the temperature of the steel plate before the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 is other than 820°C, the cooling can be similarly made stable when the distance
L from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is desirably
less than or equal to 12 m, is more desirably less than or equal to 5 m, and even
more desirably less than or equal to 2.5 m. This is due to the following reason. That
is, when the temperature of the steel plate before the cooling by the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5 is lower than 820°C, the values on the right side in Expression
(7), Expression (8), and Expression (9) above are greater than that when T = 820°C,
so that as long as, for T = 820°C, the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7 to
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is a properly set value, Expression (7), Expression
(8), and Expression (9) above are necessarily satisfied. On the other hand, when the
temperature of the steel plate before the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 is higher than 820°C, Expression (7), Expression (8), and Expression (9) above are
also satisfied by adjusting the conveyance velocity V of the steel plate to a low
value as appropriate.
[0042] Next, the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is described. As shown in Fig. 7, the upper
surface cooling facility of the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 includes an upper
header 11 that supplies cooling water to an upper surface of a steel plate 10, cooling
water injection nozzles 13 that are suspended from the upper header 11 and that are
used for jetting rod-like cooling water, and a partition wall 15 that is set between
the steel plate 10 and the upper header 11. It is desirable that the partition wall
15 have a plurality of water supply ports 16 in which lower end portions of the cooling
water injection nozzles 13 are inserted, and a plurality of water drainage ports 17
for draining away the cooling water, supplied to the upper surface of the steel plate
10, to an upper side of the partition wall 15.
[0043] More specifically, the upper surface cooling facility includes the upper header 11
that supplies cooling water to the upper surface of the steel plate 10, the cooling
water injection nozzles 13 that are suspended from the upper header 11, and the partition
wall 15 that is set horizontally along the width direction of the steel plate and
between the upper header 11 and the steel plate 10, and that has a plurality of through
holes (the water supply ports 16 and the water drainage ports 17). The cooling water
injection nozzles 13 are circular tube nozzles for jetting rod-like cooling water.
Ends of the cooling water injection nozzles 13 are inserted into the through holes
(the water supply ports 16) in the partition wall 15, and are situated above a lower
end portion of the partition wall 15. In order to prevent the cooling water injection
nozzles 13 from being clogged by sucking in foreign matter at a bottom portion in
the upper header 11, it is desirable that the cooling water injection nozzles 13 penetrate
the upper header 11 such that upper ends of the cooling water injection nozzles 13
protrude into the upper header 11.
[0044] Here, the term "rod-like cooling water" according to the present invention refers
to cooling water which is jetted in a state in which the cooling water is compressed
to a certain extent from circular nozzle jetting ports (including elliptical and polygonal
nozzle jetting ports), and which is a continuous and straight stream, the jetting
speed of the cooling water from the nozzle jetting ports being 6 m/s or higher and,
desirably, 8 m/s or higher, and, the cross section of the stream jetted from the nozzle
jetting ports being maintained in a substantially circular shape. That is, the cooling
water differs from that which flows so as to fall freely from round tube laminar nozzles,
and that which is jetted in liquid drops like a spray.
[0045] The ends of the cooling water injection nozzles 13 are inserted into the through
holes so as to be set above the lower end portion of the partition wall 15, so that,
even if a steel plate whose end is warped upward moves in, the cooling water injection
nozzles 13 are prevented from becoming damaged by the partition wall 15. This makes
it possible to perform cooling for a long time with the cooling water injection nozzles
13 in a good state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of temperature
unevenness in the steel plate without, for example, repairing the facility.
[0046] Since the ends of the circular tube nozzles 13 are inserted in the through holes,
as shown in Fig. 14, the ends of the circular tube nozzles 13 do not interfere with
the flow in the width direction of drainage water that flows along an upper surface
of the partition wall 15 and that is indicated by a dotted arrow. Therefore, the cooling
water jetted from the cooling water injection nozzles 13 can evenly reach the upper
surface of the steel plate regardless of locations in the width direction, so that
uniform cooling can be performed in the width direction.
[0047] In an example of the partition wall 15, as shown in Fig. 9, the partition wall 15
has a plurality of through holes, each having a diameter of 10 mm, in a grid pattern
and at a pitch of 80 mm in the width direction of the steel plate and at a pitch of
80 mm in the conveyance direction. The cooling water injection nozzles 13, each having
an outside diameter of 8 mm, an inside diameter of 3 mm, and a length of 140 mm, are
inserted in the water supply ports 16. The cooling water injection nozzles 13 are
set in a hound's-tooth check-like form. The through holes in which the cooling water
injection nozzles 13 are not inserted correspond to the water drainage ports 17 for
the cooling water. Accordingly, the plurality of through holes in the partition wall
15 of the accelerated cooling apparatus include the water supply ports 16 and the
water drainage ports 17 that are substantially the same in number, with their roles
and functions being divided among the water supply ports 16 and the water drainage
ports 17.
[0048] At this time, the total sectional area of the water drainage ports 17 is sufficiently
larger than the total sectional area of the inside of the circular tube nozzles 13,
which are the cooling water injection nozzles 13, and is approximately 11 times the
total sectional area of the inside of the circular tube nozzles 13. As shown in Fig.
7, the cooling water supplied to the upper surface of the steel plate fills a space
between a surface of the steel plate and the partition wall 15, flows through the
water drainage ports 17, is guided to a location above the partition wall 15, and
is quickly discharged. Fig. 10 is a front view illustrating flow of drainage cooling
water near an end portion at the upper side of the partition wall in the width direction
of the steel plate. A draining direction of the water drainage ports 17 is upward
in a direction that is opposite to a cooling water jetting direction. The drainage
cooling water that has flown out to a location above the partition wall 15 changes
direction towards an outer side in the width direction of the steel plate, flows to
a water drain flow path between the upper header 11 and the partition wall 15, and
is drained off.
[0049] In an example shown in Fig. 11, the water drainage ports 17 are inclined in the width
direction of the steel plate to cause the draining direction to be in an oblique direction
towards the outer side in the width direction of the steel plate. This allows drainage
water 19 at the upper side of the partition wall 15 to flow smoothly in the width
direction of the steel plate, and the water drainage is accelerated. Therefore, this
is desirable.
[0050] Here, when, as shown in Fig. 12, the water drainage ports and the corresponding water
supply ports are provided in the same through holes, it becomes difficult for the
cooling water that has collided with the steel plate to flow out to a location above
the partition wall 15, as a result of which the cooling water flows between the steel
plate 10 and the partition wall 15 and towards end portions in the width direction
of the steel plate. This causes the flow rate of the drainage cooling water between
the steel plate 10 and the partition wall 15 to be larger towards the end portions
in the width direction of the plate. Therefore, the force for causing jetted cooling
water 18 to penetrate a stagnant water film and to reach the steel plate is interfered
with to a greater extent towards the end portions in the width direction of the plate.
[0051] In the case of a thin steel sheet, since the sheet width is approximately 2 m at
most, the effects thereof are limited. However, in the case of, in particular, a steel
plate having a plate width of 3 m or greater, the effects thereof cannot be ignored.
Therefore, cooling at the end portions in the width direction of the steel plate is
weakened. The temperature distribution in the steel plate in the width direction thereof
in this case is an uneven temperature distribution.
[0052] In contrast, as shown in Fig. 13, the accelerated cooling apparatus includes the
water supply ports 16 and the water drainage ports 17 that are separately provided.
Since the roles of supplying water and draining off water are divided among the water
supply ports 16 and the water drainage ports 17, the drainage cooling water flows
through the water drainage ports 17 in the partition wall 15 and smoothly flows to
a location above the partition wall 15. Therefore, the drain water after the cooling
is quickly drained off from the upper surface of the steel plate, so that cooling
water that is subsequently supplied can easily penetrate the stagnant water film,
and, thus, a sufficient cooling capacity can be provided. The temperature distribution
in the steel plate in the width direction thereof in this case is a uniform temperature
distribution, so that a uniform temperature distribution can be provided in the width
direction.
[0053] Incidentally, when the total sectional area of the water drainage ports 17 is greater
than or equal to 1.5 times the total sectional area of the inside of the circular
tube nozzles 13, the cooling water is quickly discharged. This can be realized, for
example, when ports having a size that is greater than the outside diameter of the
circular tube nozzles 13 are formed in the partition wall 15, and the number of water
drainage ports is greater than or equal to the number of water supply ports.
[0054] When the total sectional area of the water drainage ports 17 is less than 1.5 times
the total sectional area of the inside of the circular tube nozzles 13, the flow resistance
at the water drainage ports is increased and, thus, it becomes difficult to drain
off stagnant water. As a result, the amount of cooling water that can penetrate the
stagnant water film and reach the surface of the steel plate is considerably reduced,
thereby reducing the cooling capacity. Therefore, this is not desirable. It is more
desirable that the total sectional area of the water drainage ports 17 be greater
than or equal to 4 times the total sectional area of the inside of the circular tube
nozzles 13. On the other hand, when there are too many water drainage ports or the
sectional diameter of the water drainage ports is too large, the rigidity of the partition
wall 15 is reduced, as a result of which the partition wall 15 tends to be damaged
when the thick wall sheet collides with the partition wall 15. Therefore, it is desirable
that the ratio between the total sectional area of the water drainage ports and the
total sectional area of the inside of the circular tube nozzles 13 be in the range
of 1.5 to 20.
[0055] It is desirable that gaps between outer peripheral surfaces of the circular tube
nozzles 13, which are inserted in the water supply ports 16 in the partition wall
15, and inner surfaces defining the water supply ports 16 be less than or equal to
3 mm in size. When the gaps are large, due to the effects of accompanied flow of the
cooling water that is jetted from the circular tube nozzles 13, the drainage cooling
water discharged to the upper surface of the partition wall 15 is sucked into the
gaps between the water supply ports 16 and the outer peripheral surfaces of the circular
tube nozzles 13, and is re-supplied to the steel plate. Therefore, the cooling efficiency
is reduced. In order to prevent this, it is more desirable that the outside diameter
of the circular tube nozzles 13 be substantially the same as the size of the water
supply ports 16. However, considering working accuracy and mounting errors, gaps of
up to 3 mm, at which the effects are substantially small, are allowed. It is more
desirable that the gaps be less than or equal to 2 mm in size.
[0056] Further, in order to allow the cooling water to penetrate the stagnant water film
and to reach the steel plate, the inside diameter and length of the circular tube
nozzles 13, the jetting speed of the cooling water, and nozzle distance also need
to be optimal values.
[0057] That is, it is desirable that the nozzle inside diameter be 3 to 8 mm. When the nozzle
inside diameter is less than 3 mm, a flux of water that is jetted from the nozzles
becomes thinner, and, thus, water strength is reduced. On the other hand, when the
nozzle diameter exceeds 8 mm, the flow speed is reduced, as a result of which the
force for causing the cooling water to penetrate the stagnant water film is reduced.
[0058] It is desirable that the length of each circular tube nozzle 13 be 120 to 240 mm.
Here, the length of each circular tube nozzle 13 refers to the length from an inlet
at the upper end of each nozzle that penetrates the header by a certain amount to
a lower end of each nozzle inserted in the corresponding water supply port in the
partition wall. When each circular tube nozzle 13 is shorter than 120 mm, the distance
between a lower surface of the header and the upper surface of the partition wall
becomes too small (for example, when the header thickness is 20 mm, a protruding amount
of the upper end of each nozzle into the header is 20 mm, and an insertion amount
of the lower end of each nozzle into the partition wall is 10 mm, the distance becomes
less than 70 mm). Therefore, a drain space above the partition wall becomes small,
as a result of which the drainage cooling water cannot be smoothly discharged. On
the other hand, when the length is greater than 240 mm, pressure loss at each circular
tube nozzle 13 becomes large, and, thus, the force for causing the cooling water to
penetrate the stagnant water film is reduced.
[0059] The jetting speed of the cooling water from the nozzles needs to be greater than
or equal to 6 m/s, and, desirably, greater than or equal to 8 m/s. This is because,
when the jetting speed is less than 6 m/s, the force for causing the cooling water
to penetrate the stagnant water film becomes extremely weak. When the jetting speed
is greater than or equal to 8 m/s, a higher cooling capacity can be provided. Therefore,
this is desirable. The distance from the lower end of each cooling water injection
nozzle 13, used for cooling the upper surface of the steel plate, to the surface of
the steel plate 10 may be 30 to 120 mm. When this distance is less than 30 mm, the
frequency with which the steel plate 10 collides with the partition wall 15 is extremely
high. Therefore, it becomes difficult to maintain the facility. When this distance
exceeds 120 mm, the force for causing the cooling water to penetrate the stagnant
water film becomes extremely weak.
[0060] In cooling the upper surface of the steel plate, draining rollers 20 may be set
in front of and behind the upper header 11 so as to prevent the cooling water from
spreading in the longitudinal direction of the steel plate. This causes a cooling
zone length to be constant, and facilitates temperature control. Here, since the draining
rollers 20 intercept the flow of the cooling water in the conveyance direction of
the steel plate, the drainage cooling water flows to the outer side in the width direction
of the steel plate. However, the cooling water tends to stagnate near the draining
rollers 20.
[0061] Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 8, it is desirable that, of the rows of circular tube
nozzles 13 that are set side by side in the width direction of the steel plate, the
cooling water injection nozzles in an uppermost-stream-side row in the conveyance
direction of the steel plate be tilted towards an upstream side in the conveyance
direction of the steel plate by 15 to 60 degrees, and the cooling water injection
nozzles in a lowermost-stream-side row in the conveyance direction of the thick steel
sheet be tilted towards a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the steel
plate by 15 to 60 degrees. This makes it possible to also supply the cooling water
to locations close to the draining rollers 20, and, thus, increase the cooling efficiency
without stagnation of the cooling water near the draining rollers 20.
[0062] The distance between the lower surface of the upper header 11 and the upper surface
of the partition wall 15 is such that the sectional area of a flow path in the width
direction of the steel plate in a space surrounded by the lower surface of the header
and the upper surface of the partition wall is greater than or equal to 1.5 times
the total sectional area of the inside of the cooling water injection nozzles, and
is, for example, greater than or equal to approximately 100 mm. When the sectional
area of the flow path in the width direction of the steel plate is not greater than
or equal to 1.5 times the total sectional area of the inside of the cooling water
injection nozzles, the drainage cooling water discharged to the upper surface of the
partition wall 15 from the water drainage ports 17 in the partition wall cannot be
smoothly discharged in the width direction of the steel plate.
[0063] In the accelerated cooling apparatus, the range of the water amount density that
is most effective is greater than or equal to 1.5 m
3/(m
2 · min). When the water amount density is lower than this value, the stagnant water
film does not become so thick, and, even if a publicly known technology of cooling
the steel plate by causing the rod-like cooling water to fall freely is applied, there
are cases in which the degree of temperature unevenness in the width direction does
not become so large. On the other hand, when the water amount density is greater than
4.0 m
3/(m
2 · min), the use of the technology according to the present invention is effective.
However, since there are problems in terms of practical use, such as an increase in
facility costs, the range of 1.5 to 4.0 m
3/(m
2 · min) is the most practical water amount density.
[0064] In applying the cooling technology according to the present invention, the case of
disposing the draining rollers in front of and behind the cooling header is particularly
effective. However, the cooling technology according to the present invention is applicable
to the case in which the draining rollers are not provided. For example, it is possible
to apply the cooling technology according to the present invention to a cooling facility
that prevents water leakage to a non-water-cooling zone by spraying purging water
in front of and behind a header that is relatively long in the longitudinal direction
(approximately 2 to 4 m).
[0065] In the present invention, a cooling apparatus at a side of a lower surface of the
steel plate is not particularly limited. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 7 and 8,
an example in which a cooling lower header 12 provided with circular tube nozzles
14 as in the cooling apparatus at the side of the upper surface of the steel plate
is given. In cooling the lower surface of the steel plate, since the jetted cooling
water falls freely after colliding with the thick steel sheet, a partition wall 15
for evacuating drainage cooling water in the width direction of the steel plate, like
the one used in cooling the upper surface of the steel plate, need not be used. A
publicly known technology of supplying, for example, membranous cooling water or cooling
water in the form of a spray may be used.
[0066] As described above, in the facility for manufacturing a steel plate according to
the method of the present invention, when two or more rows of jetting nozzles for
descaling water are set as the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7,
and the energy density E that is jetted towards the surfaces of the steel plate 10
from the two or more rows of jetting nozzles is set greater than or equal to 0.08
J/mm
2 in total, the scale on the steel plate 10 can be made uniform, and uniform cooling
can be performed by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5. As a result, the steel plate
10 can be manufactured as one having excellent shape.
[0067] By correcting the shape of the steel plate 10 by the shape correcting apparatus 4,
the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 6 and the jetting nozzles of the descaling
apparatus 7 can be brought close to the surfaces of the steel plate 10.
[0068] When the jetting distance H (distance from the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus
6 and the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 7 to the surfaces of the steel
plate 10) is greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm, descaling
capacity is increased. The jetting pressure, the jetting flow rate, etc., for obtaining
the predetermined energy density E are low. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the
pumping power of the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7.
[0069] When the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7, which, of the descaling apparatus
6 and the descaling apparatus 7, is the descaling apparatus at the downstream side,
to the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 satisfies L ≤ V × 5 × 10
-9 × exp(25000/T), it is possible to stabilize the cooling of the steel plate 10 by
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5.
[0070] Further, as shown in Fig. 7, in the accelerated cooling apparatus 5, the cooling
water supplied from the upper cooling water injection nozzles 13 through the water
supply ports 16 cools the upper surface of the steel plate 10 and becomes hot drain
water, and flows in the width direction of the steel plate 10 from above the partition
wall 15 with the water drainage ports 17, in which the upper cooling water injection
nozzles 13 are not inserted, being drain water flow paths. The drain water after the
cooling is quickly removed from the steel plate 10, so that, by successively bringing
the cooling water that flows from the upper cooling water injection nozzles 13 through
the water supply ports 16 into contact with the steel plate 10, a sufficient cooling
capacity can be provided uniformly in the width direction.
[0071] The inventors carried out studies and found out that the degree of temperature unevenness
in the width direction of the steel plate subjected to accelerated cooling without
being subjected to descaling such as that in the present invention is approximately
40°C. On the other hand, the inventors found out that the degree of temperature unevenness
in the width direction of the steel plate cooled by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 after the descaling by the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 above
is reduced to approximately 10°C. Further, the inventors found out that the degree
of temperature unevenness in the width direction of the steel plate subjected to accelerated
cooling by using the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 shown in Fig. 7 after the descaling
by the descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 is reduced to approximately
4°C. Regarding the temperature unevenness of the steel plate, the distribution of
the surface temperature in the steel plate after the accelerated cooling is measured
by using a scanning type thermometer and the degree of temperature unevenness in the
width direction is calculated on the basis of the results of the measurement.
[0072] As in the present invention, any distortion that has occurred during rolling is corrected
by the shape correcting apparatus 4 and the steel plate 10 is descaled by the descaling
apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 to stabilize the controllability of cooling.
Therefore, the steel plate 10 to be subjected to correction by a shape correcting
apparatus that is provided on-line or off-line at a downstream side of the facility
for manufacturing the steel plate also has high flatness and uniform temperature by
its nature. Therefore, the correcting capability of the shape correcting apparatus
that is provided at the downstream side need not be very high. The distance between
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 and the shape correcting apparatus that is provided
at the downstream side may be larger than the maximum length of the steel plate 10
that is manufactured in a rolling line. Therefore, since, for example, reverse correction
by the shape correcting apparatus, which is provided at the downstream side, is performed
often, it is possible to expect the effect of preventing problems, such as the steel
plate 10 that is been transported in the opposite direction jumping at the upper side
of a conveyance roller and colliding with the accelerated cooling apparatus 5, and
the effect of equalizing slight temperature deviations occurring during the cooling
at the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 and preventing the occurrence of warping caused
by the temperature deviations after the correction.
Example 1
[0073] Controlled cooling was performed from 820°C to 420°C after passing a steel plate
having a sheet thickness of 30 mm and a width of 3500 mm and rolled by the rolling
apparatus 3 through the shape correcting apparatus 4, the descaling machine 6, and
the descaling apparatus 7. Here, when the conditions for stabilizing the cooling are
calculated on the basis of Expressions (3), (4), and (5) above, the time t from the
completion of the removal of scale on the steel plate by the descaling apparatus 7
to the start of the cooling of the steel plate by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 is desirably less than or equal to 42 s, more desirably, less than or equal to 19
s, and even more desirably, less than or equal to 5 s.
[0074] The descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 were such that the nozzle
jetting pressure was 17.7 MPa, the jetting flow rate per nozzle was 45 L/min (= 7.5
× 10
-4 m
3/s), the jetting distance (the distance from the jetting nozzles of the descaling
apparatus 6 and the jetting nozzles of the descaling apparatus 7 to surfaces of the
steel plate) was 130 mm, the nozzle jetting angle was 66 degrees, and the attack angle
was 15 degrees. The descaling apparatus 6 and the descaling apparatus 7 were such
that two rows of nozzles were set in a longitudinal direction such that jetting areas
of adjacent nozzles were arranged side by side in the width direction so as to overlap
each other to a certain extent, with the spray jet thickness being 3 mm and the spray
jet width being 175 mm. The nozzles were flat spray nozzles. Here, the energy density
of the descaling water is a value defined by the aforementioned expression "water
amount density × jetting pressure × collision time". The collision time (s) is a time
when descaling water is jetted to the surfaces of the steel plate, and is determined
by dividing the spray jet thickness by the conveyance velocity.
[0075] The accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is a facility including flow paths that allow
cooling water supplied to the upper surface of the steel plate to flow to a location
above the partition wall as shown in Fig. 7, and further allow the water to be drained
off from a side of the steel plate in the width direction as shown in Fig. 10. The
partition wall had holes having a diameter of 12 mm and arranged in a grid pattern,
and were such that, as shown in Fig. 9, the upper cooling water injection nozzles
was inserted into the water supply ports set in a hound's-tooth check-like arrangement,
and the remaining ports were water drainage ports. The distance between the lower
surface of the upper header and the upper surface of the partition wall was 100 mm.
[0076] The upper cooling water injection nozzles of the accelerated cooling apparatus 5
had an inside diameter of 5 mm, an outside diameter of 9 mm, and a length of 170 mm,
and their upper ends protruded into the header. The jetting speed of the rod-like
cooling water was 8.9 m/s. The nozzle pitch in the width direction of the steel plate
was 50 mm, 10 rows of nozzles were set side by side in the longitudinal direction
in a zone of a distance of 1 m between table rollers. The water amount density at
the upper surface was 2.1 m
3/(m
2 · min). The lower ends of the upper-surface cooling nozzles were set at intermediate
positions between the upper surface and the lower surface of the partition wall having
a sheet thickness of 25 mm, and the distance to the surface of the steel plate was
80 mm.
[0077] Regarding the lower surface cooling facility, as shown in Fig. 7, a cooling facility
that is the same as the upper surface cooling facility was used except that the cooling
facility did not include a partition wall. The water amount density and the jetting
speed of the rod-like cooling water were 1.5 times those of the upper surface cooling
facility.
[0078] As shown in Table 1, the distance L from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5, the conveyance velocity V of the steel plate, and the time t
from the descaling apparatus 7 to the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 were variously
changed. T in Table 1 denotes the temperature (K) of each steel plate before cooling.
[0079] Regarding the shape of each steel plate, the re-correction percentage (%) was evaluated.
More specifically, if warping of the entire length of any steel plate and/or warping
of the entire width of any steel plate was/were within a standard value prescribed
by a product standard corresponding to the steel plate, it was determined that the
result was acceptable, whereas, if not, it was determined that the steel plate was
one to be subjected to shape correction again, with the re-correction percentage being
calculated by using the expression "(number of sheets to be subjected to shape correction
again)/(total number of sheets) × 100".
[Table 1]
[0080]
Table 1
Item |
Descaling Before Controlled Cooling |
Number of Descalings |
Energy Density (J/mm2) |
Distance from Descaling Apparatus to Accelerated Cooling Apparatus(m) |
Conveyance Velocity (m/s) |
Time from Completion of Descaling to Start of Accelerated Cooling (s) |
Jetting Distance (mm) |
Water Amount per Nozzle (m3/s) |
Water Amount (m3/(mm2 · s)) |
Collision Time (s) |
Collision Pressure (MPa) |
Jetting Pressure (MPa) |
T (K) |
Re-correction Percentage (%) |
Inventive Example 1 |
Performed |
2 |
0.54 |
5 |
0.28 |
18 |
130 |
7.5 ×10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
1.1 × 10-2 |
0.63 |
17.7 |
1093 |
5 |
Inventive Example 2 |
Performed |
2 |
0.25 |
5 |
0.6 |
8 |
130 |
7.5 × 10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
5.0 × 10-3 |
0.63 |
17.7 |
1103 |
4 |
Inventive Example 3 |
Performed |
2 |
0.08 |
5 |
1.7 |
3 |
130 |
7.3 × 10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
1.8 × 10-3 |
0.58 |
16.5 |
1110 |
2 |
Inventive Example 4 |
Performed |
3 |
0.28 |
5 |
0.8 |
6 |
130 |
7.5 × 10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
3.8 × 10-3 |
0.63 |
17.7 |
1105 |
3 |
Inventive Example 5 |
Performed |
2 |
0.54 |
13 |
0.28 |
46 |
130 |
7.5 × 10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
1.1 × 10-2 |
0.63 |
17.7 |
1083 |
12 |
Comparative Example 1 |
Not Performed |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1093 |
40 |
Comparative Example 2 |
Performed |
2 |
0.06 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
130 |
6.5 × 10-4 |
1.1 × 10-6 |
3.0 × 10-3 |
0.35 |
10 |
1105 |
70 |
Comparative Example 3 |
Performed |
1 |
0.09 |
5 |
0.8 |
6 |
130 |
7.5 × 10-4 |
1.4 × 10-6 |
3.8 × 10-3 |
0.63 |
17.7 |
1110 |
72 |
Comparative Example 4 |
Performed |
3 |
0.06 |
5 |
1.7 |
3 |
130 |
5.6 × 10-4 |
1.1 × 10-6 |
1.8 × 10-3 |
0.35 |
10 |
1105 |
69 |
[0081] In Inventive Examples 1 to 5 in Table 1, the energy densities were greater than or
equal to 0.08 J/mm
2, so that re-correction percentages based on shape defects were low, and good results
were obtained. This is thought to be because, when the cooling is performed by the
accelerated cooling apparatus 5, the steel plates are uniformly cooled almost without
surface temperature variations at locations in the width direction, mechanical properties
are better than those in the prior art, and the flatness thought to result from the
temperature distributions of the steel plates are excellent, as a result of which
the re-correction percentage based on shape defects is reduced. In addition, in Inventive
Examples 1 to 5, scales were removed, and surface properties were good. The surface
properties were evaluated by using images of the surfaces of the steel plates cooled
to room temperature to determine the presence of scales on the basis of image processing
making use of color tone differences between portions where scales remained and portions
where scales were peeled off.
[0082] In particular, in Inventive Examples 1 to 4 in which the distance from the descaling
apparatus 7, which is at the lowermost stream side with respect to the conveyance
direction, to the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 was 5 m, the time t from the completion
of the removal of the scale on each steel plate by the descaling apparatus 7 to the
start of the cooling of each steel plate by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 was
less than or equal to 19 s, which is the condition at which the cooling by the accelerated
cooling apparatus 5 becomes more stable, regardless of the conveyance velocity V of
the steel plates. Therefore, the re-correction percentage was good at 5% or less.
In Inventive Example 5, the re-correction percentage was 12%, which is a passing percentage,
and was not as good as those in Inventive Examples 1 to 4. This is thought to be because,
since the time from the completion of the removal of the scale to the start of the
cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 is long at 46 s, the scale becomes
thicker, thereby making the cooling unstable.
[0083] On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1 in which the cooling was performed by
the accelerated cooling apparatus 5 without scale removal by the descaling apparatus
6 and the descaling apparatus 7, the cooling by the accelerated cooling apparatus
5 was performed without uniformizing the scale on the surfaces of the steel plate.
Therefore, the re-correction percentage was 40% due to deteriorated flatness that
would be caused by the temperature distribution of the steel plate, and there were
also variations in the mechanical properties.
[0084] In Comparative Example 2 in which the setting conditions based on the descaling apparatus
6 and the descaling apparatus 7 were water pressure = 10 MPa, the jetting flow rate
per nozzle = 39 L/min (= 6.5 × 10
-4m
3/s), the jetting distance = 130 mm, the nozzle jetting angle = 66 degrees, and the
nozzle attack angle = 15 degrees; and in which the energy density was 0.06 J/mm
2, the energy density of the descaling water was not sufficiently high, as a result
of which the scale was partly peeled off and the temperature distribution of the steel
plate in the width direction thereof deteriorated. Therefore, the re-correction percentage
was 70%, and there were also variations in the mechanical properties.
[0085] In Comparative Example 3 in which the number of descalings was one, the nozzle jetting
pressure was 17.7 MPa, the jetting flow rate per nozzle was 45 L/min (= 7.5 × 10
-4m
3/s), the jetting distance was 130 mm, the nozzle jetting angle was 66 degrees, and
the attack angle was 15 degrees; and in which the energy density was 0.09 J/mm
2, thermal stress occurring during the descaling was effective only once because the
number of descalings was one. Therefore, the scale was partly peeled off and the temperature
distribution of the steel plate in the width direction thereof deteriorated. Therefore,
the re-correction percentage was 72%, and there were also variations in the mechanical
properties.
[0086] In Comparative Example 4 in which the number of descalings was three, the nozzle
jetting pressure was 10 MPa, the jetting flow rate per nozzle was 34 L/min (= 5.6
× 10
-4m
3/s), the jetting distance was 130 mm, the nozzle jetting angle was 66 degrees, and
the attack angle was 15 degrees; and in which the energy density was 0.06 J/mm
2 in total for three descalings, the energy density of the descaling water was not
sufficiently high, as a result of which the scale was partly peeled off and the temperature
distribution of the steel plate in the width direction thereof deteriorated. Therefore,
the re-correction percentage was 69%, and there were also variations in the mechanical
properties.
Reference Signs List
[0087]
1 heating furnace
2 descaling apparatus
3 rolling apparatus
4 shape correcting apparatus
5 accelerated cooling apparatus
6 descaling apparatus
6-1 descaling header
6-2 jetting nozzle
7 descaling apparatus
7-1 descaling 0header
7-2 jetting nozzle
10 steel plate
11 upper header
12 lower header
13 upper cooling water injection nozzle (circular tube nozzle)
14 lower cooling water injection nozzle (circular tube nozzle)
15 partition wall
16 water supply port
17 water drainage port
18 jetting cooling water
19 drainage water
20 draining roller
21 draining roller
22 spray pattern