Abstract: A method and means for soft cooling a moving heated metal strip comprises forming a descending waterwall extending across the metal strip in a direction perpendicularly to the line of travel of the strip. Air jets, variable in angle to the vertical direction of the descending waterwall, impact the waterwall, converting it to a descending curtain of air-water mist which impinges upon an upper surface of the metal strip to effect soft cooling of the strip.

Abstract: In a method for quenching, particularly for steel tubes or similar, the tube (T) is quenched by a vortical flow of cooling liquid at least along the outer shell surface, with at least a circulatory motion inside the tube. The vortical flow of cooling liquid has a component of circulatory motion in the circumferential direction around the outer shell surface of the tube and a component of motion in the axial direction with respect to the tube. A device for the application of the method has a container (1) for the tube (T), with at least one source (18, 217) of supply of an external cooling liquid flow, and with an outlet (101) for the discharge of the flow from the container (1). The source (18, 217) of supply of the external cooling liquid flow is such that it generates the flow in a circumferential direction with respect to the tube (T).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlled quenching of hot formed coils is desccribed, and has a timed dip on a wand connected to a pump. The wand delivers quench liquid into the coil to prevent bubbles from forming in the coil, damaging the coil from irregular quenching.

Abstract: An improved nozzle arrangement for use in a cooling zone of a rolling mill is formed completely of plastic, preferably ABS plastic, and includes an elongated, substantially cylindrical hollow body portion that defines an longitudinally extending conduit having a cooling fluid intake port that smoothly converges into an internal flow channel of an integrally formed head portion that is provided with a cooling fluid outlet port. An elongated baffle member is positioned within the cylindrical body portion and extends substantially the entire length thereof. The baffle member itself is formed of a unitary plastic member, also preferably ABS plastic, and has a X-shaped cross-section. Constructing the nozzle of plastic saves considerable replacement costs associated with the use of such nozzles in rolling mills and also enables the nozzles to be recycled. In addition, due to the specific construction of the nozzle, laminar flow is assured which enhances its cooling function.

Abstract: A quench chute for use in heat treating objects extends from one end of a furnace into a tank filled with quenching fluid. The chute has a passage therein through which heat treated objects fall from the furnace into the tank. Laminar sheets of quenching fluid are introduced into the chute above the quenching fluid level in the tank and a portion of the chute is constructed from a screen which allows quenching fluid to exit the chute and return to the quench tank. A portion of the chute below the quenching fluid level is curved and has a plurality of fluid manifolds disposed therealong for introducing high pressure jets of fluid into the chute. As the objects fall from the furnace into the chute, they first pass through the laminar sheets of quenching fluid. The objects then fall through the quenching fluid and glance off of the curved portion of the chute. The objects are decelerated by the glancing contact with the chute and by the jets of quenching fluid introduced into the chute by the manifold.

Abstract: The spray unit lies downstream, in-line with an extrusion press and serves to cool metallic sections in particular sections of aluminum or an aluminum alloy from all sides. The cooling medium emerges from spray nozzles program-controlled in the direction of the section. The distance, the cross-section distribution and the direction of the spray nozzles are adapted specific to the geometrical shape and distribution of mass in the section. The optimum parameters are determined and stored in the unit processor. The spray nozzles are arranged in nozzle beams running in the direction of the extruded section. The nozzle beams comprise at least one longitudinal water channel and two longitudinal air channels, whereby cross-intersecting channels branch off from the water channels to the spray nozzles and the air channels terminate in air gaps which are directed towards the nozzle outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling a metal strip, the apparatus having a header that receives and directs a curtain of water across the strip, a water collector on one side of the curtain of water and a source of air on the opposite side of the curtain of water arranged to direct a flow of air across the curtain of water and divert water into the water collector. A deflector is arranged to interrupt at least a portion of the flow of air such that at least a portion of the wall of water contacts and cools the strip of metal. The flow of air is provided at a pressure of about 50 to 100 psi and, with the flow of air completely blocked by a deflector, the strip of metal is cooled completely across the width of the strip.

Abstract: Descaling device employing water to descale blooms, thin slabs, billets, etc., which cooperates with a mould and the zone immediately downstream therefrom, or with an induction furnace or rolling mill stands, the slabs or blooms (11-24) being fed in cooperation with the descaling device at a speed of feed of the order of 1.5-20 meters per minute, but advantageously between 4 and 10 meters per minute, the device consisting of at least one movable arm (12-13) bearing nozzle means (14) delivering descaling water, the movable arm (12-13) being associated with the face of the slab or bloom (11-24) to be descaled and having a working phase, in which the descaling water acts on the surface of the slab or bloom (11-24), and a shut-off phase, in which the descaling water does not act on the surface of the slab or bloom (11-24).

Abstract: The spray unit lies downstream, in-line with an extrusion press and serves to cool metallic sections in particular sections of aluminum or an aluminum alloy from all sides. The cooling medium emerges from spray nozzles program-controlled in the direction of the section. The distance, the cross-section distribution and the direction of the spray nozzles are adapted specific to the geometrical shape and distribution of mass in the section. The optimum parameters are determined and stored in the unit processor. The spray nozzles are arranged in nozzle beams running in the direction of the extruded section. The nozzle beams comprise at least one longitudinal water channel and two longitudinal air channels, whereby cross-intersecting channels branch off from the water channels to the spray nozzles and the air channels terminate in air gaps which are directed towards the nozzle outlets.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling a metal extrusion, such as an aluminum extrusion, may include a carriage which houses the cooling liquid delivery system and is relatively movable with respect to the extrusion press in order to provide the desired amount of air cooling prior to quenching. The quenching apparatus may have a plurality of generally parallel cooling liquid delivery tubes, each having a plurality of nozzles which are preferably independently adjustable as to volume and spray pattern. The cooling liquid delivery tubes may be axially rotated and flow of the cooling liquid within each tube may be independently adjusted. The housing of the quenching unit may have an upper portion which is rotatable generally upwardly and is provided with a transparent window to facilitate viewing of the spraying action. A method of quenching an aluminum extrusion employing such apparatus is provided.

Abstract: A quench tank includes a reservoir located within a sump tank. Heated steel parts are dropped through a vertical tube in which a quenching liquid is flowing upwardly from the sump tank and into the reservoir under hydrostatic-induced pressure. Turbulent flow of liquid across the surfaces of the steel parts produces a rapid cooling and quenching action. The liquid upflow is produced by a hydrostatic liquid head communicating with the lower end of the tube. The flow rate of the liquid, measured across the transverse cross section of the tube, is relatively constant, such that the quenching action is relatively uniform across a given part and from one part to another part.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening rails having a rail foot, a rail head, which is to be hardened, and a web between the rail foot and the rail head comprises a dip basin for receiving the rail head, a manipulator for receiving from a feeder individual consecutive rails supported at their head and foot and for dipping the head of each rail into the dip basin, and a delivery conveyor for carrying the treated rails away from the dip basin.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for a cylindrical member in linear motion comprises a tubular conduit through which the cylindrical member passes axially, an envelope surrounding the tubular conduit and forming therewith an annular chamber therebetween closed at its ends by an upstream wall and a downstream wall, respectively, cooling agent being introduced into the annular chamber. The tubular conduit is pierced radially by a plurality of a straight passages providing communication between the annular chamber and the internal space in the tubular conduit. These passages are located in planes perpendicular to and axially spaced along the longitudinal axis of the tubular conduit and are equally circumferentially spaced within each plane and angularly displaced with respect to the passages in the adjacent planes. Cooling agent passes through the passages radially inwardly and is drained from the internal space of the tubular conduit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling samples of hot rolled steel sections. A programmable controller directs a predetermined sequence of air and cooling water sprays against the sample while held in a closed container. The controlled cooling of the sample prevents dimensional distortion of the sample so that accurate measurements of the finished hot rolled steel section can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing the inner and outer quenching of tubular metallic pieces and more particularly of steel tubes, characterized in that it includes successively in the direction of movement of said tubes:a series of primary quenching annuli through which progresses the tube to be quenched,a weir tank filled with quenching liquid and formed with an inlet orifice for the tube to be quenched, said orifice being provided with a tight closing shutter and at least on high pressure quenching annulus,a plurality of guiding cylinders and rollers placed in the weir tank for the rotating progress of the tube travelling through the tank,means for providing for the inner quenching under pressure of the tube travelling through the tank andmeans for the recovery of the quenching liquid discharged from the weir tank, its filtration, its return and new rises in pressure for, on the one hand feeding the tank and, on the other hand, feeding under a high pressure the quenching annuli and inner pressure quenching means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the bulk temperature of a workpiece in a quenching apparatus. The temperature is calculated by monitoring the change in size of the bore in the workpiece.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel formed of a heat treatable aluminum alloy and including an axially center area and opposite axially end areas is subjected to a solution heat treatment and then is cooled in a controlled manner to improve the dynamic strength of the wheel. Specifically, cooling is achieved by cooling the center area faster than the end areas. More particularly, a cooling medium first is sprayed on the center area and then is sprayed on the end areas.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising one suction chamber opposite the upper surface of the sheet material and at least at the entry point and at the exit point. The spray bars (7 to 9) are arranged between two adjacent suction chambers (3, 4; 4, 5; 5, 6). The chambers are arranged above the droplet deflection zone which is limited by the flaps mounted on the edges of the chamber opening.Spray bars are also provided opposite the lower surface of the material.

Abstract: A liquid impervious covering such as a plastic membrane or a concrete flooring is installed over an extensive substantially level area of ground and mined metal ore heaped onto this covering to form a mound. A leachant liquid solution is poured onto the ore and permitted to thoroughly penetrate the ore material. This end result is achieved either by forming a crater on the top of the ore material which is filled with the leachant solution which is allowed to ooze through the ore material, or by feeding the solution from sprinklers located around the mound until the ore material is thoroughly wetted. When the ore material has been wetted with the leachant, sonic energy is applied to the ore material by means of a sonically excited elastic pipe or bar member which is lowered into the mound by means of a crane and sonically driven by means of an orbiting mass oscillator.

Abstract: A device for cooling hot rolled flat products in such a way so to deliver to the product a relatively long, very thin, low turbulence blade of water which can be adjusted as to flow rate transversely of the product and so can adjust the cooling conditions of the product transversely of the product. The device comprises an elongated water delivery chamber having a linear slit that extends across the product to be cooled. The chamber is bounded longitudinally by guide walls that converge toward the slit and is divided transversely into a plurality of smaller chambers by a plurality of baffles transverse to the length of the chamber. Each of the smaller chambers is in communication with the water supply via at least one adjustable flow regulating device. The baffles are integral with the walls of the chamber and terminate toward the slit short of the outer edge of the slit.

Abstract: A cooling pipe arrangement (1) includes a pipe portion (2) in which two gripping elements (3) are arranged, with a coil spring (6) gripped between the gripping elements (3). The coil spring is surrounded by an annular space (15) into which opens a duct (16) for the coolant. The fluid which is supplied by way of the duct is conducted through the gap (19) between the turns of the coil spring, on to the rolled material which is conveyed through the cooling pipe arrangement. The width of the gap (19) may be varied by means of a setting ring (22).

Abstract: Railroad rails having improved wear resistance, are produced by controlled forced cooling from above the austenite transformation temperature, to produce rails having a fine pearlite metallurgical structure in the head portions of the rails. Apparatus comprising a series of cooling headers utilizing a liquid cooling medium, such as unheated (i.e., cold, or ambient temperature) water, alternating with a series of air zones, is preferably arranged in line with the production rolling mill, to receive hot rails as they emerge from the mill, without the necessity of intervening reheating. A roller type restraint system transports the rails through the cooling apparatus, while restraining them in the appropriate position.

Abstract: A process for hardening elongate metal elements having a circular section, according to which the said elements are made to advance through a heating station and a hardening station by a conveyer device formed by a succession of advancement and support devices individually controllable in a direction transverse the said elements in such a way as to maintain the axis of each of the elements always coincident with a predetermined axis of advancement each advancement device being individually controllable in such a way as to impart to each point of each element displacements with a controllable velocity along cylindrical helices the pitch of which can be varied from zero to infinity and, in particular, to impart to each element during the traverse through a current of cooling fluid generated within the said hardening station transversely of the axis advancement, a rotary and translational movement with a velocity variable according to laws depending on the distribution of mass along the element itself.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for uniformly cooling a thick steel plate in order to obtain a very flat thick steel plate constituted by a cooling water supply apparatus provided with more than two header systems by which a desired water volume crown is given in the width direction of the thick steel plate.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for quenching a hollow-bodied piece of steel with an opening at each end thereof, such as a steel pipe, which comprises exterior and interior quenching means. The exterior quenching means includes means for directing a cooling medium in a substantially circumferential flow pattern around the exterior of a steel pipe. In one embodiment the exterior quenching means includes means for separately directing a cooling medium in a substantially circumferential flow pattern at variable flow rates around the exterior segments of a steel pipe. The flow rate around each pipe segment may be varied with the thickness of the segment. The exterior cooling means may comprise a plurality of deflector plates to achieve the circumferentially directed flow of the cooling medium about the pipe.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for continuously quenching a steel plate with cooling water, by passing the steel plate through a water storage vessel containing the cooling water. The cooling water for cooling the upper side of the steel plate is introduced into the upper section of the water storage vessel from an upper portion of the latter and is exhausted from an upper portion of the same through, for example, overflow. The cooling water for cooling the lower side of the steel plate is introduced into the lower section of the water storage vessel from a lower portion of the latter and exhausted from a lower portion of the same. The cooling water is agitated and moved by impellers disposed in the upper and lower sections of the storage vessel in the direction of movement of the steel plate or in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the steel plate which is clamped and fed linearly through the water storage vessel by means of upper and lower rolls.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly quenching substantially flat metal workpieces which have been heated during a heat treatment process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially flat plate having a plurality of vapor relief apertures therein, a wick element which overlies the plate so that it substantially covers the apertures, and means for supplying a coolant such as water, to the wick element so that the coolant is substantially evenly dispersed therein. The apparatus is operable for urging a heated workpiece into face to face engagement with the wick element to effect intimate contact between the workpiece and the coolant in the wick element. As soon as the workpiece contacts the coolant in the wick element, at least a portion of the coolant is substantially instantaneously vaporized to effect rapid cooling of the workpiece, the vaporized portion of the coolant escaping from the wick element through the relief apertures in the plate so that it does not impede the quenching process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided simultaneously to quench a tubular on the inside and outside surfaces during horizontal axial movement of the heated tubular into the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a generally cylindrical frame carrying two external and internal quench heads mounted 180.degree. apart on the cylindrical frame. The cylindrical frame is mounted for oscillatory motion about the axis of the frame through an angle of 180.degree.. A first heated tubular is delivered to the apparatus for simultaneous inside and outside quenching while the cylindrical frame is in a first position. Thereafter, the cylindrical frame and the first tubular is oscillated through 180.degree. to the second position where the first tubular may be withdrawn from the apparatus. In its second position, the second inside and outside quenching heads are in registry with the heating furnace so that a second tubular may be quenched while the first tubular is being withdrawn from the apparatus.

Abstract: To fast load a metal alloy casting furnace 1 at a high casting temperature to supply foundry molds at an industrial pace, a liquid portion of the overall load is first introduced deep inside the furnace with a device L comprising a telescopic channel 30-31. A solid portion of the remaining overall load is then introduced with a device S comprising a tilting pusher-equipped channel 20 disposed below a static hopper 15. The liquid part of the load includes alloy compounds which are the least sensitive to oxidation; the solid part includes compounds which are highly sensitive to oxidation.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing curtain walls of coolant around a passing hot rolled, extruded, or drawn round, metal article, and optimizing the cooling thereof. A circular liquid coolant header comprises an enclosure divided into two abutting annular compartments; the first compartment containing a smaller annular concentric compartment with openings communicating with the second abutting compartment, which, in turn, has several circumferentially positioned and evenly spaced nozzle assemblies for delivering the curtain walls. A nozzle assembly is located between two semi-round compartment inlets which receive coolant from the first compartment and diffuse and direct the coolant flow into a respective nozzle assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for cooling sheet metal panels has an elongated channel bounded by two side walls, a longitudinally slotted top wall and a longitudinally slotted bottom wall. These walls are immersed in a liquid containing vessel and the latter contains sets of horizontal driven shafts above the top wall and below the bottom wall. The shafts carry disc-shaped transporting members, portions of which extend through the slots of the top and bottom walls to engage a panel which is introduced into the channel and to transport the panel toward the outlet of the channel. The top wall and the shafts above the top wall are movable up and down to provide room for panels of different thicknesses. Two nozzles discharge water into the inlet of the channel at a level above as well as at a level below the panel between the upper and lower transporting members.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting ferromagnetic particles distributed in metal or metal alloy material is disclosed. A tank containing an electrolyte is provided to electrochemically dissolve the metal or metal alloy material without substantial dissolving of the particles. A support surface is provided within the electrolyte for supporting the dissolving metal material and collecting undissolved particles. The support surface further comprises the working electrode in conjunction with the metal material. A magnetic field forming device is associated with the support surface for magnetically adhering undissolved particles to the support surface so as to maximize recovery of the particles.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for cooling a steel sheet, which comprises: ejecting cooling water onto a steel sheet laid horizontally from above and from below said steel sheet immediately after the completion of hot rolling to cool said steel sheet; shielding each of the both side edge portions of the upper surface in the width direction of said steel sheet from said ejected cooling water by a shielding means movable in the width direction of said steel sheet so that the temperature distribution in the width direction of said steel sheet becomes uniform at the completion of the ejection of cooling water; and, determining a shielding width of each of said both side edge portions of said steel sheet, which is shielded from said ejected cooling water, on the basis of the width and the thickness of said steel sheet, the temperature and the flow rate per unit area of cooling water ejected onto the upper and the lower surfaces of said steel sheet, the period of time from start to completion of the ejection of cooling

Abstract: Metal articles are cooled continuously by means of a conical jet of liquid injected into a jet of gas projected at low pressure and high speed onto the articles. The injection is carried out in such a way that particles of liquid are distributed throughout the jet, thus forming a mist which is projected onto the articles. Variable high coefficients of heat exchange are obtained.

Abstract: A process or method of and apparatus for the in-ladle treatment of molten base metal iron with a nodularizing agent (e.g., a magnesium bearing alloy) so as to produce substantially uniform spheriodal graphite in the iron. The process involves placing a desired quantity of the nodularizing agent in a reaction chamber in a treatment ladle, the latter having a main chamber, a charging and filling passage leading to the reaction chamber, and one or more passages leading from the reaction chamber to the main chamber of the ladle. Molten base metal iron is then poured into the reaction chamber via the charging and filling passage thereby to effect a reaction between the nodularizing agent and the molten base metal. A hydrostatic pressure head of the molten base metal is rapidly established over the reaction chamber of sufficient depth thereby to minimize the vaporization of the nodularizing agent and to maximize the recovery of the nodularizing agent in the base metal.

Abstract: Articles--e.g. foodstuffs wrapped in polyethylene bags--to be subjected to heat treatment in a bath of hot water are dropped from an input conveyor into an elongate tank at an inlet end for entrainment by a circulating flow toward an outlet end. A perforated extraction conveyor partly immersed in the water intercepts the entrained articles and lifts them out of the flow onto an output conveyor for drying and subsequent storage. The entering water may be set in vortical motion by convoluted baffles, converging in the flow direction, for insuring full submersion of the articles to be treated.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening a steel pipe by quenching it with cooling water, comprises a cylindrical assembly including a casing and a cover, said casing being removably mated with said cover so that said cylindrical assembly may be selectively opened or closed, a plurality of supports disposed within said cylindrical assembly for supporting a steel pipe to be hardened so as to align the steel pipe with said cylindrical assembly, and nozzle means disposed at one end of said cylindrical assembly for injecting cooling water into said cylindrical assembly for cooling water to flow both outside and inside the steel pipe in the longitudinal direction thereof. The steel pipe is uniformly quenched over its entire length.

Abstract: A roller apparatus is disclosed for use in a steel sheet transporting device including a table, a plurality of rolls upon which the steel sheet is transported, and water spray nozzels for cooling the rolls and the steel sheet. The roller apparatus including a plurality of helically arranged grooves for tracking the steel sheet to keep it centered as it passes over the transporting device, and for maintaining a controlled and even film of water over said rolls to cool the rolls and steel sheet while preventing the sheet from hydroplaning.

Abstract: Hot pipes are tempered in an oil bath contained in a tapered, covered pan; a flap is temporarily opened for feeding, but closed when oil vapor develops, to be sucked off without contaminating the environment. Pan and cover structure are supplemented to prevent uncontrolled escape of vapor during treatment. Different handling devices for pipes in the interior of the pan are described.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an elongated product during its movement through the apparatus comprises an elongated tube having a cooling fluid inlet at one end and a cooling fluid outlet at the other end so that the cooling fluid will flow from the one to the other end through the tube. The product to be cooled passes through the tube either in the same or in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of cooling fluid through the tube. At least one centralizing element is provided in the tube spaced from the opposite ends of the latter and having a central passage coaxial with the tube and a diameter smaller than that of the tube for the passage of the product therethrough, and a plurality of channels uniformly distributed about the central passage to facilitate flow of cooling water from one to the other end of the tube.

Abstract: An improved spray quenching device for quenching a relatively moving elongated workpiece such as steel pipe consisting of an improved quench means for directing a stream of quenchant at an acute angle to an elongated heated workpiece or pipe moving therethrough, means whereby the quenchant contacts the same in a relatively short time after heating and the quenchant is distributed thereby over a greater extent of the workpiece or pipe between the supports thereof.

Abstract: The machine for cooling metal sheets has a lower frame and an upper frame, sets of sheet driving and guiding rolls rotatively mounted in the frames. These frames define an enclosure which surrounds the rolls and in which enclosure a cooling fluid circulates. A system of fluid discharge conduits is connected to the upper frames and a system of fluid discharge conduits is connected to the lower frame. These discharge conduits are disposed in the vicinity of input and output ends of the machine. A cooling fluid recovery tank is provided. At least the discharge conduits connected to the upper frame and located in the vicinity of the input and output ends of the machine are connected to the cooling fluid recovery tank with interposition of a siphon. A priming device is combined with the siphon for creating a depression in the siphon.

Abstract: This disclosure relates in part to a hot extrusion press wherein the extrusion is cooled immediately after the extrusion operation by arranging a cooling tube including a cooling nozzle within the platen of the press and a second cooling nozzle between the platen and a water tank to which the extrusion is ultimately transferred for final cooling. The second cooling nozzle is employed to cool the extrusion and on the occasion of a cobbled extrusion, it is employed to drain the cooling tube and at the same time prevents water from flowing from the tank into the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for treatment of metallized iron ore produced by direct reduction techniques principally for use in various iron and steelmaking furnaces. The apparatus and process receives the product from a direct reduction facility consisting of hot metallized fine sizes of reduced iron ore such as from a fluidized bed reactor system that can be combined with metallized iron ore pellets or like agglomerates from other types of direct reduction reactors. The present invention involves dry and wet treatment and handling apparatus and procedures wherewith the hot metallized fine sizes, optionally including metallized pellets or agglomerates, are rendered immune from reoxidation and degradation for unlimited periods of time whether in open storage or during transport, whereafter the stabilized product can be readily used in various types of iron and steelmaking furnaces.

Abstract: This steel stock cooling apparatus has injection pipes in each of which one end is communicated with a water supply portion, the other end is formed into an injection opening for injecting water supplied from the water supply portion and the intermediate portion is formed with at least one air introducing hole communicated with an air supply portion, whereby the water supplied is mixed with air supplied from the air introducing hole so as to be injected in the forms of droplets. The pattern of the injection is formed into an ellispe having its major axis in the direction of the air introducing hole, and desired patterns can be formed by changing the position where the air introducing hole is installed.

Abstract: A process and installation for carrying out the process are disclosed wherein aluminium or magnesium alloys are continuously cast as extrusion billets with a high degree of automation. The billets are continuously cast, cut into lengths while warm and subjected to continuous or semi-continuous treatment. The installation allows for considerable savings in handling between stages, requires less space than conventional installations and allows for high consistency in product quality.

Abstract: Ingots to be cooled from above and below arrive on a reversible roller track and are moved back and forth for different lengths so that the ingot advances stepwise in the forward direction. Longer dwell times are interposed on each reversal.

Abstract: Heat is generated by combustion of coal or like carbonaceous fuel reactant dissolved in molten salt. The generated heat is transferred to steam by an alternating sequence of direct contact heat exchanges of the salt and steam with a common heat transfer medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rolling and cooling medium to high carbon steel rod is provided wherein the rod is rolled at high speed and laid in rings directly onto a conveyor at high temperature. Thereafter high velocity hot water is sprayed onto the rings to cool them to a temperature near to but above A.sub.3. Transformation is then started while applying air to the rod, and while substantial parts of the rod are transforming, further accelerated cooling is again applied to the rod.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is provided for quenching a metal workpiece by an inert gas at ambient temperature. Jet streams of gas coolant at high velocity and flow rates are directed in a balanced arrangement against opposing workpiece sides and the jets are correlated to the thickness of the workpiece sections to achieve uniform cooling rates with minimal workpiece distortion. A flow straightening grid in combination with a variable sized aperture plate achieves the desired jet streams in an adjustable plenum arrangement which directs the streams against the top and bottom surfaces of the workpiece.