Weirton Steel Corporation

Wierton Steel Corporation

Kenneth R Olashuk

Lester R Shields

Brian K Lester

Cold-reduced flat-rolled low carbon steel strip is surface cleansed of ferromagnetic contaminants including iron fines, iron oxide particulate and associated debris which result from gauge-reduction operations. Such ferromagnetic contaminants are permanently removed from the strip steel hot-dip galvanizing system by dynamically concentrating such contaminant which are flushed to a magnetically-assisted particle separation container, formed from paramagnetic sheet material, which retains such contaminants, while cleansing solution at a desired purity level, is returned to the surface cleansing system; with sedimentation tank means providing for diminishing waste disposal concerns by separating sludge and recycling liquid.

Surface cleansing of continuous-strip steel for hot-dip metal coating and apparatus for decreasing surface cleansing solution requirements

Cold-reduced flat-rolled low carbon steel strip is surface cleansed of iron fines, iron oxide particulate and associated debris which result from cold-reduction operations. Such ferromagnetic contaminants are permanently separated from the strip steel production and finishing system by continuous regenerative processing of alkali cleansing solution, in which contaminants are continuously filtered and concentrated and are flushed from a continuous-flow filtering apparatus for magnetically-assisted separation of such contaminants which are retained for complete and permanent disposal from the system, providing uniform cleansing solution, on a continuing basis, free of large-volume periodic dumping of contaminated solution, and free of interruption of operations for surface cleansing purposes.

Separating contaminants from continuous from surface cleansing solution during continuous strip steel processing

Continuous removal of particulate surface contaminants, for example, from flat-rolled steel work product, is achieved free of unscheduled interruption by continuing control of surface cleaning liquid characteristics which enables continuing recycling. A major portion of the cleaning liquid of a large capacity tank is continuously circulated between surface treatment of the work product and a continuous in-line type cyclone filtering apparatus, with continuous return of filtrate to surface cleansing. A minor portion (about ten percent) of the cleaning liquid capacity is used to concentrate contaminants by continuously purging the filtering apparatus. Concentrated contaminants are directed to a non-magnetic tank structure with sources of magnetic flux mounted along its external surface such that penetrating magnetic flux acts internally to separate and retain contaminants. Decontaminated liquid is returned for continuing surface cleansing. Separated and retained contaminants are periodically discharged from portions of the separator tank structure so as to maintain purity level of iron-containing particulate, in such returning liquid and in such circulating liquid, at a desired purity level.

Continuous particle separation operation

In-line flat-rolled steel cleansing and finishing methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable flat-rolled steel, as supplied with surface areas contaminated with iron fines and other debris from gauge reduction operations, to be continuously processed in-line, free of interruptions for cleansing purposes. Continuous-strip methods and apparatus are disclosed which enable in-line continuous-strip cleansing in a manner which decreases iron fines carried by strip surfaces to a desired level while providing for continuous uniform cleansing. Carry-over of iron fines from the cleansing operations so decreases such that iron content of a coating means is decreased resulting in improved corrosion-protection coating. Diminishing iron content in a hot-dip galvanizing bath increases efficiency of aluminum additions and diminishes iron-aluminum dross.

Flat-rolled steel strip continuous cleansing methods

In-line flat-rolled steel cleansing and finishing apparatus is disclosed which enable flat-rolled steel, as supplied with surface areas contaminated with iron fines and other debris from gauge reduction operations, to be continuously processed in-line, free of interruptions for cleansing purposes. Continuous-strip apparatus is disclosed which enable in-line continuous-strip cleansing in a manner which decreases iron fines carried by strip surfaces to a desired level while providing for continuous uniform cleansing. Carry-over of iron fines from the cleansing operations so decreases such that iron content of a coating means is decreased resulting in improved corrosion-protection coating. Diminishing iron content in a hot-dip galvanizing bath increases efficiency of aluminum additions and diminishes iron-aluminum dross.

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Follansbee, WV, United States of America

Kenneth R Olashuk