Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Coil Heating in Hydrogen Annealing Furnace for Optimum Arrangement of Charge

Abstract

Annealing furnace heat transfer mechanisms were investigated both experimentally and numerically to determine optimum stacking arrangements of coils in one charge. Heating order of the coils in one charge was first determined from experimental conditions in order to interpret temperature differences between coils. A mathematical model and annealing furnace heat transfer relations were used to predict the thermal behavior of coils during the heating process. When the accuracy of the model had been ensured, the heating of the coils was simulated with different stacking arrangements and the best arrangement with the shortest heating time possible was determined. A saving of 1 to 5% was observed in the burning time of furnaces for certain stack arrangements.

Keywords:

• hydrogen annealing furnace
• mathematical simulation
• charge arrangement
• cold-rolled coil
• heating order

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors graciously acknowledge MSC for funding this project and would like to express their gratitude to the manager of the hydrogen annealing plant and the R&D Department of Mobarakeh Steel Complex for their support.