Abstract: The invention relates to an environment-protecting method for the liming of raw hides, wherein, after an optional mechanical degreasing step, the hides are subjected to presoaking, chemical degreasing, washing, alkaline swelling and collapsing, enzymatic unhairing, plucking and liming, and the sulfide ions remaining in the liquor after liming are deactivated. According to the invention the raw hides are treated, prior to liming, with 0.05 to 0.50% by weight of a proteolytic enzyme with an Anson-activity of 1.2 to 1.5 in a bath of a temperature not exceeding 35.degree. C. and a pH value not exceeding 12, thereafter the hides are subjected to hair-destruction liming with a lime liquor containing not more than 2.0% by weight of disodium sulfide and/or sodium hydrogen sulfide, calculated for the weight of the raw hide, and the sulfide ions remaining in the lime liquor are oxidized directly in the liming vessel so that 100% by weight of water and at least 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the cooling of a continuously cast strand departing from a continuous casting mold of a continuous casting installation, comprising computer means, a cooling device forming a total cooling zone for cooling of the continuously cast strand, said cooling device being divided into sections, and said cooling device being further subdivided into sub-groups. Cooling agent delivery means deliver cooling agent to the cooling device, and means cooperate with the cooling device sections for applying such cooling agent to the strand.

Abstract: An apparatus for use during continuous casting for the introduction of a metallic, typically steel melt into the casting head of a continuous casting mold, comprising a substantially tubular-shaped portion which directly merges with a pouring or casting vessel, the cross-sectional area of the tubular-shaped portion being greater than the cross-sectional area of the pouring outlet at the casting vessel. A chamber-like portion of larger cross-sectional area merges with the tubular-shaped portion. The chamber-like portion is equipped with a multiplicity of neighboring openings, the individual cross-sectional area of which is considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the tubular-shaped portion.