Abstract: A plant is provided for chemical treatment of a surface of a material strip, particularly for pickling and/or rinsing the material strips, such as metal strips. At least one treatment stage includes guide rollers and squeezing rollers for the metal strip. The metal strip is run out of the chemical treatment plant (e.g., pickling plant) as close to the central position as possible so that a subsequent steering roller may operate without substantial difficulty. At least two rollers or two roller pairs, with one roller above and one roller below the metal strip, run in adjustable bearings on at least one side of the longitudinal axis of the plant. The adjustable bearings are synchronized with and parallel with the running direction of the metal strip. The adjustable roller assembly follows at least one treatment stage.

Abstract: A method of pickling a material strip is provided that prevents spots from forming and removing formed spots on a material strip that comes to a standstill during the pickling process. The material strip is passed in a first direction through at least one pickling section to form a first pickled material strip. The first pickled material strip is passed in the first direction through at least one rinsing section to form a first rinsed material strip. The first rinsed material strip is sensed when it comes to a standstill. Pickling solution is applied to at least a portion of the first rinsed material strip when the first rinsed material strip has come to a standstill to form a second pickled material strip. The second pickled material strip may then be moved in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to move the material strip back into the pickling section to form a third pickled material strip.

Abstract: A rinsing process and apparatus for rinsing a continuous steel strip material includes a rinse tank positioned above a collection chamber for defining a rinsing station. The rinse tank includes spray nozzles for spraying rinse liquid onto the upper and lower surfaces of the advancing strip. Pinch rollers are provided at the receiving end and discharge end of the rinse tank. Movable seals are provided in the rinse tank to engage the pinch rollers to close the gap between the pinch rollers and the rinse tank to effectively close the liquid drain outlets of the rinse tank. A detecting device is provided to detect stoppage of the forward movement of the steel strip to actuate the seals and close the drain outlets of the rinse tank. A continuous supply of rinse liquid through the nozzles quickly raises the liquid level in the rinse tank to completely immerse the steel strip when the forward movement of the steel strip stops.