Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-cooled handling roll (100) for handling a load (50), in particular a thin slab, in a furnace for temperature heating, maintaining and for buffering, arranged between casting and roughing, in a continuous casting and rolling process for thin carbon steel slabs. The roll (100) comprises a first internally hollow shaft (110), which is coated by an insulating and/or refractory material and a plurality of wheels (25) connected in stably fixed manner to an outermost surface (111) of the first shaft (110) to handle and support the load (50). According to the invention, the roll (100) also comprises a second shaft (120) arranged within an inner cavity of the first shaft (110) in position coaxial to the first shaft (110) and so as to define a gap (30) between the first shaft (110) and said second shaft (120). The roll (100) further comprises cooling water circulation means housed at least in part within said second shaft (120).

Abstract: A self-regenerative combustion system comprising a single burner, capable of operating both during the combustion step and the waste gas aspiration step, and a valve with four ways and three positions, capable of switching the regeneration and the on/off control (oxydizing agent end and waste gas end). The system is provided for obtaining the maximum efficiency, flexibility, minimum fuel consumption and minimum environmental impact with reduced NOx emissions.