Method and device for cleaning slabs, thin slabs, profiled elements, or similar

Abstract

A method for removing loose scale and other foreign matter from the top and/or bottom face of a cast product with the aid of flowable media which are sprayed onto the cast product by a cleaning device having at least one spraying apparatus that is disposed above the cast product and at least one spraying apparatus that is arranged below the cast product. According to the method, the amount of media and/or the effective width and/or the pressure of the media is/are controlled separately and independently of time for each spraying apparatus.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for removing loose scale and other foreign substances from the upper surface and/or lower surface of a cast product, such as a slab, thin slab, profiled element, or the like, with the aid of flowable media, which are sprayed onto the cast product by means of a cleaning device that consists of at least one spray arrangement positioned above the cast product and at least one spray arrangement positioned below the cast product, where a heating installation and a rolling mill are installed downstream of the cleaning device, wherein the amount of medium and/or the effective width and/or the pressure of the medium is controlled separately and independently with respect to time for each spray arrangement. 
     
     
         2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is operated with at least one static spray arrangement. 
     
     
         3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is operated with at least one movable spray arrangement. 
     
     
         4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is operated in the low-pressure range. 
     
     
         5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is operated in the high-pressure range. 
     
     
         6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the means of adjusting the spray arrangements are operated independently of the casting speed and/or the cast material. 
     
     
         7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the supply of medium can be completely stopped. 
     
     
         8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is enclosed in a housing. 
     
     
         9 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device can be moved laterally completely out of the casting line. 
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the part of the cleaning device located above the cast product is removed. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein the cleaning device is moved out or lifted out with a remotely controlled drive. 
     
     
         12 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is connected to supply lines by medium connections that are flexible. 
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is connected to supply lines by self-closing medium couplings. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an additional spraying off of the cast product with medium that can be adjusted in its amount and/or pressure prevents the flow of medium in the casting direction or in the direction opposite the casting direction. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least an additional blowing off of the cast product with air helps the medium flow off to the sides. 
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein collecting channels are used to remove the medium from the upper surface of the cast product. 
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 14 , wherein the additional devices off the cast product with medium, device for blowing off the cast product with air, medium collecting device) are used upstream and/or downstream of the cleaning device. 
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the control system of the cleaning device is operated by connection with a higher-order guidance system. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the adjustments of the cleaning device that depend on the production process are partly or completely automated. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the adjustments of the cleaning device that depend on the production process are provided in advance to the operating personnel as proposed values.