WO2023052500A1

WO2023052500A1 - System and method for producing flat rolled products

Info

Publication number: WO2023052500A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/077112
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Fuchs; Georg Padberg; Matthias Peters
Original assignee: Sms Group Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-10-01
Filing date: 2022-09-29
Publication date: 2023-04-06
Also published as: EP4408595A1; JP2024533794A

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) and to a method for producing flat rolled products from thick-cast steel and/or non-iron metal slabs, wherein the system (1) comprises: i) at least one continuous casting device (3), by means of which a flat continually cast product with a thickness of at least 160 mm can be continually cast; ii) a separating device (4), which is arranged so as to adjoin the at least one continuous casting device (3) and by means of which the flat continually cast product can be separated into individual thick slabs; iii) a hot-rolling mill (5), via which the thick slabs can be rolled in order to form the flat rolled product, wherein the hot-rolling mill (5) comprises a pre-rolling train (8) and a finishing rolling train (9), each of which comprises at least one roll stand, and the hot-rolling mill and the at least one continuous casting device (3) are arranged on a common transport line (T1); iv) at least one thick slab supplying device (15) which is arranged transversely to the transport direction (T1) and which is positioned between the separating device (4) and the rolling train (5); and v) at least one electric heating device which is arranged in front of the hot-rolling mill (5), in particular in front of the pre-rolling train (8) in the transport direction, for a direct hot charging process (7), said electric heating device allowing at least the thick slabs coming from the continuous casting device (3) arranged on the common transport line to be completely heated to a hot-rolling temperature.

Description

PLANT AND PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF FLAT ROLL PRODUCTS

The present invention relates to a system and a method for producing flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs and, in a further aspect, to the use of at least one electric heating device arranged upstream of a hot rolling mill in the direction of transport, in particular an electric heating device for direct hot use, for Heating thick slabs with a thickness of at least 160 mm to a hot rolling temperature.

Systems and methods are known from the prior art, in which thick slabs are first heated by means of gas-operated heating devices and then fed to a hot rolling mill directly using the casting heat or only after intermediate storage in a slab store. Heating the thick slabs in a gas-fired heating device requires large amounts of fuel, especially when the thick slabs coming from a slab store have to be heated from temperatures close to room temperature to at least 1000°C, and long heating times. The use of fossil fuels, such as natural gas in particular, also leads to high CCh emissions.

From the Japanese patent JP 6562223 B2 a system is known by means of which thick slabs are fed directly to a hot rolling mill utilizing the casting heat. The edges of the thick slabs are heated to a corresponding hot rolling temperature by a series of inductive edge heaters arranged one behind the other. Although the targeted heating of the edges suppresses the cooling of the middle part of the slab, a heating device of this type does not permit targeted heating of the entire thick slab. Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide a plant that is improved compared to the prior art and a method that is improved compared to the prior art for producing a flat rolled product from thick cast steel and/or nonferrous metal slabs.

Description of the invention

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a system having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of patent claim 12 .

The plant according to the invention for the production of flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs comprises a continuous casting device, by means of which a continuous product with a thickness of at least 160 mm can be cast continuously; a separating device arranged downstream of the continuous casting device, by means of which the flat continuous material can be separated into individual thick slabs; a hot rolling mill, via which the thick slabs can be rolled into the flat rolled product, the hot rolling mill comprising a roughing train and a finishing train, each with at least one roll stand and being arranged in a common (first) transport line with the at least one continuous casting device; at least one thick slab feeding device arranged transversely to the transport line and positioned between the cutting device and the rolling train; as well as at least one electrical heating device arranged upstream of the hot rolling mill in the transport direction, in particular upstream of the roughing train in the transport direction, for direct hot application, via which at least those thick slabs can be heated to a hot rolling temperature over their entire surface, which come from the continuous casting device arranged in the common transport line.

Using the plant according to the invention, the thick slabs can be heated to the specified rolling temperature as required. The at least one in front of the hot rolling mill in the transport direction, in particular in the transport direction the roughing train, arranged electric heating device for the direct hot use, thus enables an individual temperature control of the cast steel grade.

In the context of the present invention, the term “thick slab” means a slab that has a minimum thickness of at least 160 mm, preferably a minimum thickness of at least 180 mm, more preferably a minimum thickness of at least 200 mm. Since the maximum thickness of the thick slabs is technologically limited due to the continuous casting equipment currently available, the maximum thickness of the thick slabs is preferably 300 mm, more preferably 250 mm. Such thick slabs typically have widths in the range from 800 to 2500 mm, preferably in the range from 1000 to 2300 mm.

The production of thick slabs versus thin slabs has several positive effects. On the one hand, the output quantity can be increased solely via the throughput, so that a higher degree of utilization can be achieved with the hot rolling mill. Thick slabs also have a significant advantage over thin slabs in terms of quality. Compared to thin slabs, thick slabs have a smaller surface area per tonne of material cast. Temperature inhomogeneities of slabs transported in the transport line can be reduced. The smaller surface areas in relation to material cast per tonne reduces scale formation and there is less casting residue and surface defects, which means that material losses through their removal can be reduced.

The term "electrical heating device", which is also referred to in the present application as an electrical heating device for direct hot application, as an electrical thick slab preheating device, as an electrical thick slab reheating device, as an electrical pre-strip heating device or as an electrical supplementary thick slab heating device, is used in general understood an electrically operable device, via which the thick slabs can be heated by means of electric current. The electric The heating device can advantageously comprise inductive heating devices, conductive heating devices and/or electrical heating devices with indirect resistance heating. Provision is particularly preferably made for the electrical heating device to be an inductive heating device or a conductive heating device. Due to the thickness range of the thick slabs, an inductive heating device can advantageously be operated according to the longitudinal field principle and enables rapid heating due to the high energy density. In the case of a conductive heating device, the respective thick slab forms part of the circuit and is thus heated directly by the electric current conducted through it, which enables a very high degree of efficiency (close to 1) and particularly rapid heating.

An inductive and/or conductive electrical heating device also has the advantage that it can be designed from a series connection of individual units both for the core and for the regions of the thick slab close to the surface.

As an alternative and/or in addition, an electric tunnel oven operated by resistance heating can also be provided.

With the system according to the invention, a temperature profile can be set in the respective thick slab, which is specifically matched to the subsequent pre-rolling process, in particular the cooling that occurs during the pre-rolling. If cold spots (so-called "skid marks") are detected on the thick slab surface, which occur when using walking beam furnaces, for example, they can be specifically eliminated by selective heating, which can improve the quality of the flat rolled product then produced. The short heating times also reduce the formation of scale, which can improve both the output quantity and the surface quality. In addition, the plant according to the invention enables each thick slab to be individually heated to the technologically required temperature level without overheating or undercooling.

In the context of the present invention, the term “full surface” means that the thick slabs are heated to a specified nominal temperature over their entire surface and in a specific thickness as they pass through the electric heating device.

The nominal temperature of the thick slab is largely uniform and/or identical in three-dimensional dimensions, with permissible temperature differences being <±80° C., preferably <±50° C., particularly preferably <±20° C. of a set/nominal temperature.

The nominal temperature simplifies further processing of the thick slab. Inconsistently heated thick slabs can lead to changing forming conditions during further processing, for example during rolling, so that there is no uniform forming over the length and/or width of the thick slab and the scrap content increases for the necessary finishing cuts. Non-uniform temperatures can also cause non-uniform structural changes and geometric errors such as flatness errors. By setting a temperature level that is uniform over the entire surface at an early stage, the occurrence of these problems and errors is avoided or at least limited. Elaborate setup and processes to compensate for these errors can be operated more simply or even eliminated. Interferences between desired manipulations and reactions resulting from non-uniform temperature levels are also minimized.

The electrical heating device for direct hot use is preferably designed in such a way that the thick slabs can be heated over their entire surface. In other words, such a heating device not only enables specific heating of the edges, but also heating of the area between the edges middle part of the thick slab. A further advantage of such an electrical heating device arranged in the transport direction before the hot rolling mill, in particular in the transport direction before the roughing train, for direct hot use is that this enables maximum utilization of the casting heat, which results in energy savings compared to conventional removal from a slab store of larger 70% are possible.

Further advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependently formulated claims. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner and can define further refinements of the invention. In addition, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, with further preferred configurations of the invention being presented.

It should be pointed out that the present plant according to the invention is only suitable and intended for the production of flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs. In such plants, the thick slabs that are then produced can be temporarily stored without any problems or easily transported from a second transport line, in contrast to plants that are provided for the production of thin slabs, because of their typical dimensions. Usually thick slabs have a length of less than 12 meters, sometimes less than 10 meters, whereas thin slabs usually have lengths of at least 25 meters and are therefore more complicated to transport and store. Furthermore, the flat rolled products of such a plant differ from plants that are provided for the production of thin slabs. For example, specific steel grades, such as peritectic steel grades or steel grades with very high surface quality requirements, cannot be produced in the required quality on conventional thin slab plants. The length of a respective thick slab, in particular for hot use, can correspond not only to a single coil length but also to a multiple thereof, since transport across the transport line and further handling steps are eliminated.

The continuous casting device is preferably designed in such a way that it can continuously cast a continuous product with a thickness of at least 160 mm. The continuous casting device can be designed, for example, as a single or multi-strand continuous casting device.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the system can comprise at least one electrical pre-strip heating device arranged upstream of the finishing train in the transport direction, which is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the rolled flat rolled pre-product can be heated over its entire surface. The rolled flat-rolled pre-products, which leave the roughing train at a temperature of less than 1000 °C, for example, can be heated in a particularly energy-efficient manner to a temperature specifically specified for the finish-rolling process, as a result of which the desired properties of the flat-rolled product can be set. For example, temperature differences between the head and the end of a rolled flat rolled pre-product can be effectively compensated, which enables greater rolling stability and thus a higher output. The associated more homogeneous temperature distribution also enables lower final strip thicknesses and more homogeneous mechanical properties of the flat rolled product produced.

If absolute temperature values are given in the present application, these are exclusively average temperatures of the respective substrate.

The at least one thick slab feeding device is preferably designed as a transport and heating device, via which the transported and/or intermediately stored thick slabs, if necessary over the entire surface, are brought to the hot rolling temperature are heatable. The transport and heating device can be designed in such a way that the temperature can be increased and/or maintained simultaneously or sequentially with the transport. The thick slab feeding device is preferably designed in the form of a walking beam furnace which comprises at least one segment which comprises electrically operated heating elements and/or gas-operated burners.

A system designed in this way thus includes a first transport line, via which the thick slabs can be briefly heated to the hot rolling temperature directly using the casting heat by means of the electric heating device for direct hot use and then fed to the hot rolling mill. A second transport line can also be provided parallel to the first transport line, via which thick slabs that are temporarily stored and/or cooled to 400 to 800 °C, which are usually stored in a slab store and/or a holding pit, are heated directly to the hot rolling temperature via the thick slab feeding device and then fed to the rolling process. Alternatively and/or additionally, thick slabs cast in a second continuous casting device can also be fed to the rolling process via the thick slab feeding device.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the at least one, preferably two or a plurality of thick slab feeding devices is arranged between the electrical heating device for direct hot use and the roughing train. In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the plant can also include at least one, preferably two or a plurality of thick slab feeding devices between the separating device and the electric heating device for direct hot use.

In addition to the at least one thick slab feeding device, at least one electric thick slab preheating device can preferably be connected upstream on the inlet side, which is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the thick slabs can be heated over their entire surface. The The electric thick slab preheating device is particularly useful when higher temperatures are required for a short time to adjust the mechanical properties, such as strength, of the flat rolled products to be produced and the thick slab feeding device that then runs through is operated at a lower temperature level required for the flat rolled products to be produced can.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant, at least one electric thick slab post-heating device can be connected downstream of the at least one thick slab feeding device, which is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the thick slabs can be heated over their entire surface. Provision is particularly preferably made in this connection for the at least one electric thick slab reheating device to be arranged between the at least one thick slab feeding device and the roughing train. The electric thick slab reheating device on the outlet side further increases the flexibility of the plant in order to produce in an optimal way in terms of energy on the one hand and to meet the logistical and technological requirements of the rolling mill as best as possible on the other.

In addition, the system can include at least one electrical supplementary thick slab heating device, which is preferably connected upstream of the at least one electrical thick slab reheating device.

In order to reduce production losses due to transition widths when changing the casting width on the one hand and to even out the wear of the work rolls in the finishing train on the other hand and to ensure an optimal result for a strip profile and/or strip flatness with the longest possible journey through the plant, the rolling mill should have specific rolling program profiles possible, because when using the same slab widths, the availability in the hot rolling mill is reduced due to an increase in the number of necessary work roll changes. Advantageously, the roughing train therefore includes in the direction of transport in addition to a first and/or a second roughing stand, at least one upsetting device. Provision is preferably made for the upsetting device to comprise at least one slab upsetting press and/or, if appropriate, at least one, preferably a plurality of upsetting devices. By using an upsetting device, such as the slab upsetting press, possibly in combination with at least one upset, a necessary width and profile-related optimized rolling program can be ensured, since larger and/or constant slab widths can be cast. Advantageously, the upsetting device is designed in such a way that the slab width can be reduced by up to 450 mm, preferably up to 350 mm. In addition, the use of additional edgers enables the slab width to be further reduced by up to 100 mm per edger.

Furthermore, in an advantageous embodiment variant, the system can comprise a control device with an associated calculation unit, the control device being designed to control the system on the basis of minimized energy consumption and/or a maximum throughput and/or on the basis of product properties and/or product dimensions and /or to regulate.

To set the system based on minimized energy consumption, for example, the necessary temperature level, the possible heating steps, the possible heating devices, the possible temperature losses and/or the possible temperature inputs within the system can be optimized in such a way that the system is set with a minimized energy consumption. In this case, the calculation unit can preferably use a physical process model which maps the thermal conditions and determines proposals for setting the system.

Alternatively or additionally, the control device can control the system in such a way that a maximum throughput is achieved. For this purpose, groups of batches in special thickness, width and/or length dimensions can be created through optimization the casting sequences, the introduction sequences, the transport device and/or by operating the rolling mill at the design limit, by means of which the throughput can be increased. In particular, maintenance cycles such as roll change times, mold change times and/or mold changeover times can also be taken into account. The grouping of batches and/or sequences according to the product dimensions has the advantage that material losses through transition pieces when changing width or thickness can be avoided as far as possible. The system can also be controlled by the calculation unit in accordance with product properties. If, for example, a very high surface quality is required, the calculation unit can set a correspondingly slow casting speed, greater descaling, corresponding temperature control, etc. Equally, the setting of the system can be optimized to set optimal magnetic, mechanical and/or geometric properties.

In order to effectively reduce the energy and/or temperature losses of the thick slabs and/or the flat-rolled preliminary product in the roughing train on the transport route, the system can also include several specifically arranged thermal insulation hoods. The thermal insulation hoods can be designed as passive or active thermal insulation hoods. The active thermal insulation hoods are preferably operated with burners using "green" produced hydrogen as fuel or electrically.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, the system can include a plurality of thermal insulation hoods between the separating device and the electric heating device for direct hot use and possibly between the electric heating device for direct hot use and the hot rolling mill, in particular the roughing train.

In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the system can also include a plurality of thermal insulation hoods within the roughing train. These can be arranged, for example, in the transport direction in front of and/or behind an upsetting device and, if necessary, in front of and/or behind one and/or each roughing stand.

In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to a method for producing flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs, preferably using the plant according to the invention, comprising the method steps: i) continuous casting of a flat billet with a thickness of at least 160 mm, which is then separated into individual thick slabs; iia) heating the thick slabs to a temperature of at least 1000°C by means of an electric heating device for direct hot charging when the thick slab comes from the continuous casting device arranged in the common transport line; and/or üb) heating the thick slabs to a temperature of at least 1000 °C by means of at least one additional heating device and/or by means of a thick slab feeding device when the thick slabs are transported from a second transport line transversely into the first transport line, and iii) hot rolling of the one Hot rolling temperature heated thick slabs to the flat rolled product by first pre-rolled and then finish-rolled.

The thick slabs are preferably fed at a temperature of at least 500° C. to the first electrical heating device for direct hot use.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the pre-rolled flat rolled product is heated to a temperature of at least 950° C. by means of an electrical pre-strip heating device before it is finish-rolled to form the flat rolled product. In a further aspect, the present invention also relates to the use of at least one electric heating device arranged upstream of a hot rolling mill in the transport direction for direct hot use, in particular an inductive heating device, for heating thick slabs with a thickness of at least 160 mm to a hot rolling temperature.

figure designation

The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be pointed out that the invention should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract partial aspects of the facts explained in the figures and to combine them with other components and findings from the present description and/or figures. In particular, it should be pointed out that the figures and in particular the proportions shown are only schematic. The same reference symbols designate the same objects, so that explanations from other figures can be used as a supplement if necessary. Show it:

1 shows a first variant of the system according to the invention,

2 shows a second embodiment of the system according to the invention,

3 shows a third embodiment of the system according to the invention,

4 shows a fourth embodiment of the system according to the invention,

5 shows a fifth embodiment of the system according to the invention, and

6 shows an embodiment variant of a roughing train.

FIG. 1 shows a first variant of a plant 1 for the production of rolled products from thick-cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs. The plant 1 comprises a continuous casting device 3 which is arranged in a transport line T and which in the present case is set up to continuously to cast continuous stock with a thickness in the range of 200 to 250 mm. The continuous material then obtained (not shown) is then immediately separated into individual thick slabs by means of a separating device 4, for example a pendulum shear or continuous material burning device, and fed directly to a hot rolling mill 5 using the casting heat, in which they are then first pre-rolled and then finish-rolled.

For this purpose, the system 1 has a roller table 6 in the first transport line T, which extends through the system 1 . The roller table 6 can be covered in segments with a plurality of active or passive thermal insulation hoods 22, two of which are shown purely as an example in the present embodiment. As a result, the energy and temperature losses of the thick slabs on the transport route to the hot rolling mill 5 can be kept as low as possible.

Despite the thermal shielding, the thick slabs usually cool down to an average temperature of 800 to 900° C. on the transport route to the hot rolling mill 5 . According to the invention, it is therefore provided that the thick slabs are heated to a hot rolling temperature of 1100 to 1300° C. over their entire surface in the transport direction upstream of the hot rolling mill 5 by means of an electrical heating device for direct hot use 7 . In the present exemplary embodiment, the electrical heating device 7 is designed as a longitudinal field inductor and thus enables the cooled thick slab to be heated briefly to the specific hot-rolling temperature.

Furthermore, the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 1 comprises a control device S, which includes a calculation unit B. This can determine those operating settings that have a minimized energy consumption. The control device S is connected to the system 1 in terms of signals and makes the necessary settings for the system 1 for the production of the thick slab. In a comparable manner, an optimization of the operating settings can additionally and/or alternatively be carried out maximum throughput, and/or product properties and/or

Product dimensions are made.

FIG. 2 shows a further variant of the system 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the embodiment variant shown in Figure 1, the system 1 also includes an electric pre-strip heating device 10 between a roughing train 8 and a finishing train 9 of the hot rolling mill 5. The electric pre-strip heating device 10 is also designed as a longitudinal field inductor or inductor combination in such a way that the pre-rolled Flat rolled products can be heated over the entire surface. The pre-rolled flat rolled products, which leave the pre-rolling train 8 at a temperature below 1100° C., are heated particularly energy-efficiently to a temperature of 950 to 1100° C. specifically specified for the finish-rolling process by means of the electrical pre-strip heating device 10 .

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment of the plant 1 according to the invention. In addition to the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the plant 1 includes a to the first transport line T1 arranged parallel second transport line T2 comprising a second roller table 6.2, a second continuous casting device 11, which is also set up to continuously cast a billet with a thickness in the range from 200 to 250 mm, and a second cutting device 12. The second cutting device 12 can also be designed in the form of a pendulum shear or a billet burning device. The second roller table 6.2 can also be covered in segments with a plurality of active or passive thermal insulation hoods 22, as can be seen from the different ones.

The thick slabs produced in this line can be temporarily stored and cooled in a slab store 13 arranged directly downstream of the second cutting device 12 . Furthermore, the individual thick slabs can be temporarily stored in a holding pit 14 with lower temperature losses. As can also be seen from the representation in FIG. 3, the plant 1 in this embodiment variant also includes a thick slab feeding device 15, which is designed as a gas-operated transport and heating device. The thick slab feeding device 15 is arranged between the electric heating device for direct hot charging 7 and the roughing train 8 and transversely to the direction of transport.

In addition to the thick slab feeding device 15, the plant 1 comprises two electric thick slab preheating devices 16.1, 16.2, which are connected upstream of the thick slab feeding device 15 on the inlet side. The two preheating devices 16.1, 16.2 are also designed as longitudinal field inductors or inductor combinations in such a way that the thick slabs can be heated over their entire surface.

Two alternative embodiment variants of the system 1 according to the invention are shown in the two FIGS. In the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 4, the plant 1 comprises a series of two electric heating devices 7, 17, which are arranged in the transport direction between the slab store 13 and the roughing train 8. In contrast to this, a sequence of three electrical heating devices 7, 17, 18 is arranged between the slab store 13 and the roughing train 8 in the embodiment variant according to FIG. Furthermore, the embodiment variant shown in FIG. 5 includes the electrical heating devices 16.1, 16.2 arranged in the second transport line T2. This large number of heating devices 7, 16.1, 16.2, 17, 18 makes it possible to carry out a particularly individual and performance-related design and operation of these without loss of performance or oversized design.

All heating devices 7, 10, 16.1, 16.2, 17, 18 of the exemplary embodiments are shown only schematically and usually include a number of individual inductors which can be passed through sequentially. An individual switching on and off, as well as an individual power setting enables a very precise setting of the desired or necessary temperature rise. In addition to inductors designed exclusively as longitudinal field inductors, there are also combination sequences of longitudinal field and quadrature field inductors, which can be run through sequentially.

In the embodiment variant according to FIG. The completely or partially cooled thick slabs can be introduced from a slab store 13 into the thick slab feeding device 15 and at the same time heated to a hot rolling temperature and transported.

In the embodiment variant according to FIG. The completely or partially cooled thick slabs can be brought into the thick slab feeding device 15 from a slab store 13 or alternatively from a holding pit 14 and at the same time heated to a hot rolling temperature and transported.

The arrangement and number of thick slab feeding devices 15 can be varied as desired. In a known design, the thick slab feeding device 15 can be an electrically and/or gas-operated continuous and/or walking beam furnace. Alternatively, a heating device belonging to the thick slab feeding device 15 can preheat the thick slab to a somewhat higher temperature, the transport itself then takes place without active heat input via a preferably insulated transport passage or walking beam.

The thick slabs temporarily stored and cooled in the slab store 13 or in the holding pit can be transported via the thick slab feeding device 15 14 thick slabs temporarily stored at 200 to 800 °C and slightly cooled are heated to a hot rolling temperature before they are then fed to the rolling process via the first roller table 6.1.

FIG. 6 also shows an embodiment variant of a roughing train 8 which, in the direction of transport, comprises an upsetting device 19 and at least a first and preferably a second roughing stand 20, 21, each of which has a horizontal and preferably a vertical stand. In order to keep the energy and/or temperature losses of the thick slabs or the pre-rolled flat rolled product in the roughing train 8 low, a number of thermal insulation hoods 22 are provided.

Reference List

I plant

3 (first) continuous casting device

4 (first) cutting device / billet shears

5 hot rolling mill

6.1 first roller table

6.2 second roller table

7 heating device for direct hot application

8 roughing train

9 finishing train

10 pre-strip heater

I I (second) continuous casting device

12 second separator

13 slab yards

14 warming pit

15 thick slab feeding device

16.1 Preheating heater

16.2 Preheating heater

17 supplementary (post-heating) heating device

18 supplementary (post-heating) heating device

19 compression device

20 first roughing stand

21 second roughing stand

22 thermal insulation hoods

T(1 ) (first) transport line

T(2) (second) transport line

S control device

B Unit of calculation

Claims

patent claims

Plant (1) for producing flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs, comprising: i) at least one continuous casting device (3) by means of which a flat continuous product with a thickness of at least 160 mm can be cast continuously; ii) a separating device (4) arranged after the at least one continuous casting device (3), by means of which the flat continuous material can be separated into individual thick slabs; iii) a hot rolling mill (5), via which the thick slabs can be rolled into the flat rolled product, the hot rolling mill (5) comprising a roughing train (8) and a finishing train (9) each with at least one roll stand, and in a common transport line (T1) is arranged with the at least one continuous casting device (3); iv) at least one thick slab insertion device (15) arranged transversely to the transport direction (T1) and positioned between the separating device (4) and the rolling train (5); and v) at least one electrical heating device for direct hot use (7) arranged upstream of the hot rolling mill (5) in the transport direction, in particular upstream of the roughing train (8) in the transport direction, via which at least those thick slabs can be heated to a hot rolling temperature over their entire surface that are continuous casting device (3) arranged in a common transport line.

2. Plant (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electric pre-strip heating device (10) arranged in front of the finishing train (9) in the transport direction.

3. Plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one thick slab feeding device (15) is designed as a transport and heating device, via which transported and/or intermediately stored thick slabs can be heated to a hot rolling temperature.

4. Plant (1) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one thick slab feeder (15) is arranged between the electric heater for direct hot charging (7) and the roughing train (8).

5. Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one electric thick slab preheating device (16.1, 16.2) is connected upstream of the at least one thick slab feeding device (15), which is preferably designed as a transport and heating device.

6. Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one thick slab feeding device (15), which is preferably designed as a transport and heating device, is downstream of at least one electrical supplementary thick slab heating device (17).

7. Plant (1) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one electrical supplementary thick slab heating device (17) is arranged between the at least one thick slab feeding device (15) and the roughing train (8).

8. Plant (1) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising at least one additional electrical supplementary thick slab heating device (18), which is preferably connected upstream of the electrical thick slab heating device (17). System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control device (S) with an associated calculation unit (B), wherein the control device (S) is designed to control the system (1) on the basis of a minimized energy consumption and/or a maximum throughput , and/or to control and/or regulate on the basis of product properties and/or product dimensions. Plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the roughing train (8) in the transport direction comprises at least one upsetting device (19) and at least a first, preferably a second roughing stand (20, 21). Plant (1) according to Claim 10, in which the upsetting device (19) comprises at least one slab upsetting press and/or optionally at least one, preferably a plurality of upsetting devices. Method for producing flat rolled products from thick cast steel and/or non-ferrous metal slabs, preferably by means of a plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the method steps: i) continuous casting of a flat billet with a thickness of at least 160 mm, which is then individual thick slabs are separated; iia) heating the thick slabs to a temperature of at least 1000°C by means of an electric heating device for direct hot charging (7) when the thick slabs come from the continuous casting device (3) arranged in the common transport line (T1); and or üb) heating the thick slabs to a temperature of at least 1000 °C by means of at least one additional heating device (16.1, 16.2) and/or by means of a thick slab feeding device (15) if the thick slabs are transported from a second transport line (T2) transversely into the first transport line (T1 ) is transported; and iii) hot-rolling the thick slabs, which have been heated to a hot-rolling temperature, to form the flat-rolled product by first rough-rolling them and then finish-rolling them. A method according to claim 12, wherein the thick slabs are fed at a temperature of at least 500°C to the direct hot charge electric heater (7). A method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the rough rolled flat rolled product is heated to a temperature of at least 950°C by means of an electric strip heater (10) before it is finish rolled into the flat rolled product. Method according to one of the preceding claims 12 to 14, wherein steps ii) and/or iii) are controlled by means of a control unit (S) in such a way that a minimum energy consumption and/or a maximum throughput determined by a calculation unit (B) and/or or a product property, and/or a product dimension is achieved. Use of at least one electric heating device arranged upstream of a hot rolling mill (5) in the transport direction (T1) for direct hot use (7) for heating thick slabs with a thickness of at least 160 mm to a hot rolling temperature.