Abstract: Disclosed is a device for cooling and/or rinsing at least one steel wire and/or tape, with a member for conveying at least one steel wire and/or tape, a basin which contains a cooling and/or rinsing liquid and is provided with outlets from which a certain number of successive liquid curtains flow in a turbulent manner, the at least one steel wire and/or tape being conveyed through the liquid curtains, and an adjustor for adjusting the number of successive curtains to be penetrated by the at least one steel wire and/or tape according to the cooling and/or rinsing that is to be obtained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for patenting at least one steel wire, according to which the temperature is increased at least to a level at which the steel austenitizes, followed by quenching in a liquid medium by directing the wire through at least one curtain of cooling liquid so as to obtain a cooling temperature that lies below the austenitizing temperature, the liquid flowing in a turbulent manner substantially perpendicular to the wire, followed by an isothermal stage during which the wire is maintained at a constant temperature allowing pearlitic transformation. The inventive method is characterized by the fact that additionally, a number of successive curtains can be specifically adjusted so as to obtain the temperature which allows pearlitic transformation and is to be kept constant during the isothermal stage as the cooling temperature through the cooling process in a liquid medium, and the isothermal stage immediately follows the cooling process in a liquid medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of heating tanks, such as galvanizing tanks, containing a bath of molten metal. Use is made of at least one element made of a refractory material which is thermally conducting and substantially gas-tight, particularly in relation to oxygen. The element is put into direct and permanent contact with the upper surface of the bath.

Abstract: Method and device for pickling, and possibly for degreasing, of elongate metal items, in particular wires, strips and steel section. These items are placed in an electrolyte solution through which an electric current is passed by means of electrodes, said items being moved preferably in a substantially continuous manner lengthwise through at least two successive separate baths of an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution and/or a chlorine mineral salt solution. At least one electrode is placed in each bath and an electric voltage is applied to these electrodes so that the sign of the voltage on the electrode of one of the baths is always different from the sign of the voltage on the electrode of the adjacent bath, the baths being substantially insulated from each other so that the electric current flows between two adjacent baths mainly via that part of the item being moved between said two adjacent baths.

Abstract: There is described a fluidized-bed plant, notably for heat-processing metal goods, such as wires, bars, etc., comprising at least one chamber filled partly at least with a powdered material suspended in a gas, and at least one disperser provided adjacent the chamber bottom, wherefrom the gas may be fed and distributed substantially continuously inside said chamber, which further comprises means to retain a gas re-circulation inside the disperser.