Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~t7~S
BACKGROUND OF Tl-l~ INV~NTION
_
Field of the Invention
This lnvention rel~tes to improved method and
apparatus ~or treat~ng cont~nuouslr cast copper rod. More
particularly this invention is directed to contr~lled cooling
and cleaning of the cast rod prlor to being coiled and/or
dra~n into fine wire, and in an improvement to Canadian
Patent # 1,004,122, issued 25 January, 1977, for "continuous
rolled rod cooling and cleaning".
Description of the Prior Art
In the manufacture of continuous cast copper rod, ~he
rod leaving the casting apparatus is generally immediately
hot rolled. When exposed to the atmosphere the rod oxidizes
-and accumulates surface scale comprising a mixture of cuprous
~red) and cupric ~black) oxides. As a practical matter, ~his
- scale must be removed or reconverted to its metallic state,
before the rod can be drawn into commercially acceptable wi~e.
Removal of the oxides is also necessary to prevent premature
wear of the drawing dies and the like.
Heretofore, different approaches have been suggested
for removing the oxide scale from the surface o~ copper-
based products. It should be mentioned that the word "copper"
as used herein is meant to also include copper allo~s.
Exemplar~ of the approaches suggested for descaling are:
(1) mechanically removing the scale as by sanding, shaving
or the like, ~2) acid cleaning ~or pickling), and ~3) ~apor
reduction.
For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,623,532, whlch is
assigned to t~e present applicant, discloses a system whereby
acid pickling is used for descaling copper rod b~ immersing
the rod in a dilute aqueous acid solution, e.g., sulfurlc
acid, citric acid, after t~e cast rod lea~es the rolli~g
Z- ?~
~ ~ 7 Z ~ 5
mill but before i~ reaches the coiler This disclosed
pickling process utilizes the heat conta~ned in the rod to
speed up the che~ical reaction. Under these condit~ons the
copper oxides are re~oved from the surface by the combination
of a phrsical- chemical process; t~at it, by popp~ng off due
to the differences in thermal contraction of the oxides and
the copper substrate, and partly b~ dissolving of oxides.
Usually, in less than one second, the rod has to be cleaned
and cooled down from about 1000F. to about ambient tempera-
tUTe. The used acid is then returned in the tank and pumped
through the heat exchanger back to the injectors. To ma~n-
tain optimal cleaning conditions, the pickling solution is
continuously regenerated to maintain the copper content and
the acid COncentTation at a predetermined le~el. This is
accomplished by passing the used solution through the
electroplating unit and periodically adding new acid to the
s~stem.
The foregoing disclosed pickling process has been used
with great success by the assignee of the present invention.
Ho~ever, in an effort to reduce operating costs necessitated
by the use of acid resistant materials 9 to avoid ecological
problems associated with waste acid disposal, and to produce
a more consistentl~ better qualit~ product, an alternative
approach to acid picking had to be found.
Other techniques which emplo~ one or more reducing
gases or vapors to treat oxidized copper rod are disclosed in
U.S. Patents No. 3,546,0Z9; 3,56Z,025; 3,620,853- and
3,659,8309 all issued ln the name of at leas~ C. J. Sn~der,
and assigned to Anaconda Wire and Cable Co. In the aforemen-
tioned ~atents, it is stated that oxide scale is remored by
first exposing the rod to high temperature reducing gases or
~apors and therea~ter immedi~tely quenching the rod in a
cooling bath prior to exposure to ~he atmosphere.
~ s
Althouyh the gaseous reduction approach appears to have
some advantages over acid pickling, certain disadvantages are
believed to be inherent in such systems. For instance, the gases
or vapors which are stated to be suitable for reducing copper rod
are flammable, poisonous, or both, and there-fore requixe special
handling ~o avoid explosion, asphyxiation, or the like. In
addition thereto, oxygen-free atmospheres rnust be provided at
elevated temperatures requiring special seals to totally confine
the rod and reducing gases to prevent the entry of oxygen from
the atmosphere as well as the escape of the confining gases to
the atmosphere. Another disadvantage of vapor reducing systems
resides in the fact that production rates are lower than with
liquid contact systems.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
In its broadest method aspects, the present invention
is characterized by subjecting continuously cast and rolled hot
copper rod, having an oxidized layer on its surface, to the
following s-teps as it leaves the rolling mill and prior to being
coiled:
a. passing said oxidized rolled rod at an elevated
temperature in excess of about 900F. through at least one
treating zone comprising an elongated open ended conduit for
receiving a colder non-acid liquid composition therethrough;
b. introducing into said open ended conduit said
non-acid liquid composition, said composition being a dilutè
aqueous composition including a reducing agent taken from the
group consisting essentially of aliphatic monohydroxy alcohols,
polyhydroxy alcohols, ketones; and alkyl and alkanol amines,
secondary amines and tertiary amines; and mi~tures thexeof;
~72~5
c. contacting said oxidized rolled rod with said
colder non-acid liquid composition and conv~rting the oxidized
layer on said rod to metal while cooling said rod to a
temperature below about 200F; and
d. continuously recirculating said non-acid liquid
composition and maintaining the pH of said recirculating liquid
composition at a value in excess of 7.
As will be described in greaterdetail hereinafter, it
is of paramount importance to the viability of the present method
that the p~ of the treating solution is monitored, either con-
tinuously or periodically, and adjusted to a pH value of above 7,
preferably between about 3 and about 11, while in use. It has
been unexpectedly determined that where the pH value falls below
about 7, there results a decrease in the cleaning effectiveness
of the treating solution and/or an increase in the dissolution
rate of copper metal.
Accordingly, there is also provided in accordance
wlth the invention novel apparakus for carrying out the afore-
mentioned method which, in its broadest aspect, is characterized
by:
a. means for providing a source of non-acid
aqueous liquid composition at a p~ in excess oE about 7 for
cooling and cleaning said rod;
b. at least one rod treatment zone downstream of
said rolllng mill comprising an elongated open ended conduit for
simultaneously receiving said rod and said non-acid aqueous
liquid composition therethrough;
c. means for recirculating said liquid composition
~L~7Z~ZS
d. means for dixectly contacting said hot rod
with said continuously recirculating liquid composition into said
conduit whereby said hot roa is cooled and cleaned;
e. means for monitoring the pH of said recircula-
ting liquid compcsition; and
f. means for adding an alkali material to maintain
the pH of said recirculating liquid composition above about 7.
By maintaining the -treating solution on the alkaline
side of the pH range, the present method can be operated satis~
factorily over prolonged periods of time without damage to the
equipment and at minimal opèrating cost. Moreover, the
effectiveness of the treating solution is extended and therefore
does not require frequent replacement or elaborate reconditioning
operations.
' ' , '
,
1(1~24~5
In contradistinc~ion to the present method, conventional
acid pickling requires stainless steel components or other expen-
sive acid resisting materials. Additionally, the acid introduce~
su~stantial amounts of copper in~o the pickling solution which
must be removed. Moreover, it was discovered that when a non~
acid treating solution is employed without maintaining close
control of the pH, acids can be generated a~ a result of the
oxidation of the solution. The acid formed will build up and
remove copper from the rod. By maintaining close control of the
treating solution o~ the present invention~ continuous xecondi-
tioning using expensive electroplating equipment for removing
excess copper from the solution is not required.
According to the present process, continuously cast
copper rod is generally immediat01y passed through one or more
rolling mills after leaving the casting machine while it i~ still
in a ho~ condition, e.g., about 1500F. The rod leaves the
rolling mill at a temperature of approximately lOOO~F. and is
immediately directed ko a first zone where it i5 contacted with
the non-acid treating solution according to this invention.
Whereas in the aforementioned conventional acid pickling system
i~ was necessary to employ oil wiping or removal means, e.g., air
blast, to avoid contaminating the pickling solution with lubricat~
ing oil, in the present invention the air wipe operation can be
eliminated where the rod mill lubricant is compatible with he
~reating o tion o E tbe pr l;o_ invent on.
11~72~Z5
I`he oxiclii.ecl copper rocl leaving -the rolling mill is
preferably at a -tempera-ture in excess of about 900F. If below
900F., a reduction in the cleaning efficiency is observed.
~`he hot rod is directed -through an elonga-ted condui-t on the
order of 50 fee-t or more. One or more zones wi-th means ~or
injecting the treating solu-tion into the conduit is provided.
Each zone has means for regulating the quantity of liquid
treating solution being fed. In this way the rod temperature is
controlled along its travel path until it exits at a tempera-ture
below about 1500F. The colder non-acid liquid -treating composi-
tion may be pumped through the cooling conduit in the same
direction as the rod -travel, i.e., concurrently, at least in
the first zone, subjecting the hottest portion o~ the rod to
the colder treating solution which, due to the greater temperature
differential between the rod and the treating liquid, increases
~he heat transfer rate and thereby accentuates the thermal
stresses imposed on -the oxide scale. The pumping rate of the
treating liquid is regulated to permit a moderate rise in the
temperature of the liquid leaving the conduit, e.g., about 10F.
to about 160F. The treating zones which follow can be designed
to direct pumped treating solu-tion concurrent to the rod travel as
described for the first zone, or, countercurrent to the rod
travel through the system, as will be described in greater de-tail
hereinafter. In the first zone the treating compostion option-
ally can be pumped through the cooling conduit coun-tercurrent to
the rod travel through the system. In other embodiments contem-
plated, one or morelof the treating zones are designed to contact
the rod being treated with liquid pumped countercurrent to the
~7~ S
l~o~ trave~. (ombirlR~ivns o~ coun~ercurrent flows and concurrent
f`lows in variouS treating zones may also be employed. Preferably
the pumping rate of trea-ting composition for the f`irs-t treatment
zone is regulated to effec-t lit-tle or no reduction within the
f'irs-t zone of the temperature of the hot copper rod, or to ef'fect
less of a temperature reduc-tion in the first treatment zone than
in any of -the remaining treatment zones in which substantial
cooling takes place. 'I`his is readily accomplished by regulating
-the liquid flow to the first zone to roughly 10 percent of the
entire liquid flow. The remaining zones introduce sufficien-t
liquid treating solution so as to reduce the rod temperature to
below about 200~. to preven-t reoxidation as it exi-ts from the
cooling conduit. Thus, the operating parameters which can be
varied to satisf`y any given production rate include; the
temperature of the incoming treating solution, its flow rate,
the number of zones provided, the length of cooling condui-t and
the like. After the rod leaves one or more of the treating zones
provided, it can be optionally water rinsed and waxed before being
coiled. Either alternatively, or after the optional water rinse,
lubriceous water-compatible waxing material optionally can be
used in a water or suitable solvent solution or can be combined
with the treating composition and used herewith withou-t adverse
effects.
The non-acid treating composition according to this
invention is formulated to provide both cleaning and cooling
functions, and, if desired, can also include the lubriceous
material, as aforementioned. More specifically, the treating
composition is preferably an aqueous solution comprising at
least one organic compound taken f'rom the group of aliphatic
~ 5
monohydroxy alcohols, polyhydroxy alcohols, ketones; and alkyl
and alkanol pr~mary amines, secondary amines and tertiary amines;
and mixtures thereof. The pH of the solution is maintained above
7 and preferably between about 9-11. If required, the pH may be
adjusted by the addition of predetermined quantities of alkali
and alkali earth metal hydroxides, mineral and organic salts of
alkali metal hydroxides, and the like. Sodium hydroxide, potas-
sium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, and sodium carbonate are
exemplary usable pH regulating materials, although others may be
substituted. For instance, basic organic compounds such as
ammonia, amines can be added.
Although not en~irely undexstood, it is postulated that
the mechanism ~or facilitating oxide removal from hot copper rod
is based on the thermal oxidation o the alcohol group in the
treatiny solution which results in the chemical reduction o CuO
and Cu2O to elemental copper on ~he rod surface. The oxidation
reactions may proceed in one or two steps, dependin~ a~ the
nature of the alcohol used. For purposes of illustration, where
n-propyl alcohol is employed there occurs an oxidatiqn-reduction
reaction in which the alcohol is oxidized to an ald~hyde and CuO
~or Cu2O~ is reduced to free copper, in thQ f~llowing manner:
H ~H
CH3 - CH2 - C - OH ~ CuO - ~ CH3 - CH2 - C~ ~ H2O C ( )
(n-propyl alcohol) --- (propionaldehyde)
! Thereafter, ~he aldehyde produced is oxidized still
further to the~corresponding carboxylic acid while CuO is reduced
to free copper. Thus, for
2~
" ~' ,o~l
~H3 ~ 2 ~ + Cuo ~ ~H3 C~12 - c~ + Cu (2)
~propionaldehyde) (propionic acid)
Similar two-step reactions would be expected with
other primary alcohols. However, in the case of secondary
alcohols, e.g., isopropyl alcohol, oxidation of the
secondary alcohol is completed in one step with acetone
produced as a reaction product.
With alkanolamines, e.g., mono-, di-,
triethanolamine, two-step oxidation reactions, similar to
primary alcohols, occur Of course, each of the alcohol
groups in the molecule underyoes a separate conversion. In
addition tG their oxidation susceptibility, amines reduce
the rate of reoxidation of the cleaned copper rod by fo~ming
an electrostatic bond with the surface of the cleaned rod
thereby shielding the rod from air and effectively retarding
further oxidation of the rod. The pH of the amine
containing treating solution should be above 7. If the p~
falls below 7, the amine forms a salt with the copper or
with other metals which may be present in the water and may
even precipitate from solution. Additionally, the
concentration of amine is desirably below about 6 weight
percent to keep the solution from foaming and preferably
from about 1 to about 3 weight percent.
From the foregoing it will be clear that in the
absence of providing pEI modifying or buffering agents, the
oxidation rate would diminish as the concentration of acid
increases. In addition to the slower reaction rate, the
acid build-up would cause dissolution of the copper metal.
Both effects are undesirable and should be avoided. It was
unexpectedly found that by maintaining the pH of the
treating solution by above about 7, the oxidation reaction
can be sustained at a high level oF effectiveness and
without appreciable copper build-up in the solution
~.~72~'~S
The following general eqllati~n i~ belie~ed ~o apply:
2 [~ - C; 3 + Na2CO3 ~ 2 [R - C~ ~ ~ 2Na ~ CO2 r H2O
where R is alkyl group, preferably having 1-5 carbon atoms. By
maintaining a pH above about 7 and preferably between 9 and 11,
it was found that the treatin~ solution maintained it~ efficacy
over a considerable period of time, e.g., six months or more.
In addition to the p~I modifying agent, the treating
compo~ition of the present invention can ~esirably include con-
ventional surface aGtive agen~s~ chela~ing agents, lub.ricants,
and the like. The greater the rate o~ production, ~he gre~ter
the pumping rate through each of the cooling condui-t~ ater
soluble or emulsifiable waxes or the like can also be added to
the treatin~ solution to protect the clean rod surfacs prior tc
being coiled. Generally, the amount of wax which is added is
low, i.e., on the order of 0.1% by weight of th~ composition.
Alternatively, waxing can be separately carried out after
cleaning.
The temperature of the treating solution of tha present
invention is maintained in the liquid state at from about 40F.
to about 200F~ As will be elaborated on hereinafter, the
treating solution is continually recirculated and ~iltered.
Heat exchange means is provided in the recirculatory system to
cool the treating solution pxior to its reintroduction into the
treating zones.
. , ,
~2~5
I`he licluid treating compos:it:ion employed in -the process
of` the present invention preferably contains a major propor-tion
of water, e.g., on -the order of 90 volurne percent or more. It
will be appreciated -that the ra-tio of water to additives is not
critical and can be varied.
The cleaning additives employed are preferabley water
soluble. The aliphatic monohydroxy alcohols which are pre~erred
have up to six carbon atoms. These include methanol, ethanol,
n-propanol and the like. N-propanol has been found to give
particularly good results alone, but expecially in combina-tion
with polyhydroxy alcohols such as glycerol, glycol and the like.
The ratio of alipha-tic alcohol to polyhydroxy alcohol employed is
not critical and can vary widely, e.g., from about 7:1 to about
1:1. The preferred polyhydroxy alcohols are those having two -to
three hydroxyl groups such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol,
diethylene glycol and glycerol. Amongst the ketones which are
useful in the treating compostion of the present invention it
may be metnioned acetone, propanone, butanone and pentanone,
alone, in combination with other ketones, or, in combination
with one or more aliphatic monohydroxy alcohols or polyhydroxy
alcohols such as glycerol, glycol and the like. The ratio of
ketone toaliphatic monohydroxy alcohol and polyhydroxy alcohol
is not critical and can be widely varied, as with the ratio of
monohydroxy alcohol to polyhydroxy alcohol. The alkyl and
alkanol primary, secondary and tertiary amines advantageously
have up to six carbon atoms in each alkyl or alkanol group..
Preferably the alkyl or alkanol groups have from one to three
carbon atoms. Most preferably the alkyl or alkanol groups have
~ ~ 7 ~ ~ ~ 5
two ca~bon atoms. The ratlo o~ amines to alco~ols employed
is not CTitiCal and can var~ widely, e.g., from about 1:1 to
about 1:7.
Clearly, the process acco~ding to this invention com- -
prising non-ac~dic liquid treatment o~ oxidi~ed continuously
cast and rolled copper rod r~elds substantial beneits over
the conventional approaches earlier mentioned. In the
present process, relatively inexpensi~e carbon s~eel can be
utilized in contrast so the more expensive stainless steel
required for acid treatment. Neither is it mandatory to
emplo~ the elaborate alr wiping, rinsing or waxing equipment
as formerl~ required. Nor is there any requirement for
special high temperature seals, gas generating and quenching
equipment necessitated b~ vapor phase reduction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
- .
FIGURE 1 is a schematic flow diagram of one preferred
system for treating continuous cas~ copper rod according to
this invention and illustrates a three-zone system whereby
the rod is cleaned and cooled in each of the zones.
FIGURE 2 is an elevational view, in section, illustrat-
ing in detail a preferred first treatment zone for treating
th0 copper Tod leaving the rolling mill wherein treating
fluid is forced concurrent to the rod travel.
~IGURE 3 is an elevational view~ in section, of
apparatus emplo~ed in conjunction with the first two treat-
ment zones illustrating pressurized spray nozzles ~or spra~-
ing treating fluid onto the rod lea~ingi-the first zone.
FIG~RE 4 is an eleYational view, in sect~on, of a
second tTeatment zone through w~ich the copper rod passes
prior to coiling~ illus~ra~ing treating fluid insroduced
Into the rod conduit countercurrent to the direction of
rod travel.
, , ~
1~7'h4~5
FIGURE 5 is an eleYat~onal view, ~n section, of a
third ~reatment zone through which the copper rod passes
prior to coillng and also illustra~ing a w~xing section prior
to coil~ng.
Having descri~ed the invent~on in general terms, the
follo~ing examples are set forth wi~h reference to the
drawings to more particularl~ illustrate the invention. The
examples are not intended to be limiting.
EXAMPLE 1
Aqueous non-acid treating solution was prepared by
mixing one or more of the following ingredients in the
proportion~ shown below:
~olume %
Ingredient ~(2)- (3) (4) ~5) (6) (7)
Monohydroxy alcohol
ethanol 24.0 15.0
n-propyl alcohol 41.8 20.0
isopropyl alcollol 28 . 3
butanol 5
polyhydroxy- alcohol
glycerol 10.0
ethylene glycol 5.0
ketones 30.0
amine$
di-ethanolamine 5.0
triethanolamine 2.6 12.0 3.0 2.0 5Ø
~ater 69.1 95 46.2 73.0 70.0 73.0 65.0
The pH o~ the aboYe treatlng soluti~n~ was adjusted
to about 9.5 by the addition of sodium carbonate. Calcium
i~
~72425
acetate was added as needed as a foam suppressant.
The non-acid treating solutions shown above, i con-
centrated, a~e ~urther diluted with water to yleld a concen-
tration of less than about la% by volume and pre~era~ly
between 2-6% by volume.
EXAMPL~ 2
The treating solution prepared in accordance with
Example 1 was introduced înto tank 30 of Figure 1 o~ the
drawing and was continuously recirculated throughout the
system at a rate of about 300 gpm. The operating conditions
under steady state conditions were as follows:
Production rate: 20 tons/hr.
Rod size after rolling: 5/16 inch
Temperature of treating solution O
at inlet of 1st treating zone: 100 ~.
Temperature of treating solution O
at outlet of final treating zone: 120 F.
Temperature of rod at inlet of
1st treating zone: llC0F.
Velocity of treating solution in
1st treating zone: 25 gpm.
Periodic analysis of the treating solu~ion being ?
recirculated indicated a copper con~ent build-up ~o be on
the order of about 40 ppm, far less than experienced with
acid pickling. The oxide scale was continuall~ remo~ed
b~ f~lter means provided in the pump d~scharge. Per~odically,
make-up solution was added (5 gal./hr.) *o the s~ste~.
The copper rod being treated in the manner described
hereinbe~ore ~as found to be uniformly free of ox~de scale.
One o~ the important ad~antages of this invention resides
in the abil~t~ to operate at much higher production rates
than the suggested ~apor phase des~aling techniques and
without the inherent dlsad~antages assoclated with ~ot~ said
pickling and/or ~apor phase reduction~
- 16 -
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~L~7~S
DESCRIPTI ON OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Refer~ing now in detail to the drawings, wherein like
numeral5 indicate like elements throughou~ the several views,
Figure 1 schematically depicts a continuous castlng system 10
wherein molten metal is formed into cast bar 12 in casting
machine 11. The bar is rolled in rolling mill 13 which
reduces the cross-sectional area of ~he bar and at the same
time increases its length to ~orm cast rod 14. The cast rod
14 is therea~ter su~jected to the non-acidic treatment accord-
ing to this invention ~e being d~rected sequentiall~ from
rolling mill 13 into the first treating zone represented by
reference numerals 15-17. The second treatment zone,
represented b~ numerals 17-19, further processes rod 14. The
third treatment zone, represented by numerals 19-21, receives
rod 14 for still further processing. Thereafter, rod 14 is
optionally rinsed and/or waxed in apparatus 21 and directed
to pinch rolls 22, rod gu~de mechanism 23 and coiler 24.
Bet~een the first and second treatment zones a pressurized
spray treatment is included (Fig. 2).
As the rod 14 moves towards coiler 24, treating
solution from tank 30 is continuously recirculated through
the system 10. Treating solution is pumped from tank 30 via
conduit 32 by pump 31 to water cooled heat exchanger 33 via
conduit 34. The treating solution is directed through conduit
35 to each of the treating zones 15-17, 17-19, 19-21 via
conduits 36-39, respectively. Return conduits 40, 61 carry
the treating solution back to tank 30 for further recircula-
tion.
It should be understood that the s~stem outlined herein-
above merel~ represents one prefer~ed embodi~ent-wllerein three
17 -
~ ~ !
~7'~5
zones ara employed for directly contacting the hot rod 14 with
the non-acid liquid treating composition of the present invention.
In this instance, the treating fluid passes concurrent to the rod
travel in the first zone 15-17 and countercurrent to the rod
travel in the second zone 17-19 and third zone 19-21. The flow
in the ~irst zone i6 regulated to provide laminar flow so as to
prolong the;Pffectiveness of the oxidation-reduction reaction
between the oxidiza~le treating agents and the oxidized copper.
However, all three zones can be readily designed to force liquid
treating fluid countercurrent to the rod travel. Similarly, each
of the zones can be altered so that the fluid passes either
countercurrent or concurrent to the rod travel. Moreover, this
system can be readily modified to operate with two zones and even
one zone wherein cleaning, cooling and coating can be simultane-
ously effected. By-way of example, zone 15-17 can be utilized
for cleaning and partial cooling and zone 17-19 for cooling and
waxing. To implement these variations, it is only necessary to
reverse, add or delete one or more of the easily separable com-
ponents as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. This
invention should not be construed as being limited to three zones
since additional zones can be added without adverse effects and
in fact it may be necessary to add two zones substan~ially iden-
tical to the irst zone, in series. Although a totally counter-
flow system, as described,for example,in the earlier-mentioned
acid pickling system of U~S. 3,623,532, can be employed~
advantageously the present system uses first concurrent flow and
thereafter countercurrent flow. A greater temperature differen-
tial ifi obtained as the hot rod en~ers ~he cooling conduit where
_ 18 _ !
, .", , .,; , . . .
107'~25
col~er liquid is impinged in concurrent flow. This initial
shoc~ aids in fracturing the oxide scale on the rod surace.
Referring now to Figure 2 which i5 a detailed section
of apparatus utilized in the first treatlng zone 15-17 through
which rod 14 passes for cooling and cleaning, uni~ 15 comprise~
a housing 50 with entrance wall 51 which abuts the housing of
rolling mill 13, e~it wall 52 and a baffle plate 53, each having
aligned apertures for receiving the rod 14 from the rolling mill
13. Air nozzle 59 which can be used with air, steam or other
1~ gases is positioned in and extends through the opening of entrance
wall 51. Air nozzle 59 surrounds the path P through which the rod
from rolling mill 13 is to pass. Aix nozzle 59 includes cylindri~
cal housing located in abutmen~ with entrance wall 51 and small
diameter threaded portion 62 protrudes through the opening of
entrance wall 51 into the housing of rolling mill 13. Nut 64
engages the external threads of thxeaded portion 62 to hold air
nozzle 59 in place. Cylindrical housing 61 defines opening 65
which is placed in alignment with the path of travel P of the
rod, and opening 65 is counterbored at 66. Counterbore 66 and
opening 65 merge together by means of tapered portion 68. ~ir
supply pipe 69 communicates with counterbore 66 ~hrough port 70
in air nozzle housing 61. No~zle insert 71 is threaded into
counterbore 66 and defines rod opening 72 which is in alignment
with path P and rod opening 65 o air nozzle housing 61v The
. inner end of nozzle 71 defines tapered portion 74 which is siæed
and shaped to mate with tapered portion 68 of air nozzle housing
61. The diameter of nozzle insert 71 is sub~antially fPqual to
the diameter o counterbore 66 of air nozzle 61 at their respec
tiY~ threaded portions, and nozzle insert 71 is reduced in its
~ -19
~ 7;~4~5
out.side diameter at 75, between tapexed portion 74 and threaded
por~ion 76. Thu~, an annular supply chamber 78 is defined between
no~zle insert 71 and air nozzle housing 61, which communicates
with air supply pipe 69. Flange 79 extends radially outwardly
~rom the reduced-diameter portion of nozzle insert 71 into annular
supply chamber 78, and flange 79 is notched at spaced interval6
around its periphery. Flange 79 functions as a control flange
ancl is normally posi~ioned in the vicinity of port 70 of air
noz:zle housing 61. When nozzle insert 71 is moved to its fullest
¦extent into air nozzle housing 61, flange 79 w.ill move beyond
port 70, and restrict the flow of fluid from air supply pipe 69.
Also, the tapered portion 74 of nozzle insert 71 will he placed
closely adjacent the tapered portion 68 of air nozzle housing 61,
which also functions to limit thQ flow of fluid from annular
supply chamber 78 into rod opening 65 of air nozzle 61. Thus,
when high-pressure air, steam or other gas is flowin~ through
air supply pipe 69 from the air supply, its volume of flow and
flow velocity into rod opening 65 can be controlled by moving
nozzle insert 71 inwardly or outwardly of air nozzle housing 61.
Once a desired setting has been attained, locknut B0 can he ~:
rotated on the threads of nozzle insert 71 and forced against
air nozzle housing 61 to lock nozzle insert 71 in place.
Thus, it is seen that air nozzle 59 functions to
mi:nimize the amount o~ lubricant carried by the rod 14 beyond
the rolling mill 13 by impinging an annular flow of air generally
in a direction opposite to the movement of rod 14. As earlier
mantioned, this air wipe can be deleted, if desired, where the
treating composition is compatible with the lubricating oil, as
i~ the case here.
~ 10'724~S
As the rod 14 moves along path P and pas~es from air
nozzle 59 through housing 50, it will be guided by baffle plate 53
wh.ich defines an aperture which surrounds path P. Baffle plat~ 5
includes a guide socket 86 located in the aperture defining an
annular converging opening 88 ~or guiding the lead end of the
rod 14 initially entering the cooling conduit 16 from air no~zle
59 along path P .
The bottom wall 89 of housing 50 includes a drain pipe
90 which functions to carry away any oil treating fluid which
mayaccumulate therein.
At the exit wall 52 of the housing S0 there is disposed
injector means for continuously introducing the treating solution
of the present invention into the cooling conduit 16.
Injector means includes an injector nozzle 100 connected
to exit wall 52 and includes nozzle housing 101, nozzle adapter
102, and nozzle insert 104. Adapter 102 and nozzle insert 104
each define rod openings 105 and 106 which are in alignment with
rod path P. Rod opening 105 of adap~er 102 flares into tapered
portion 109 while the outer surface of insert 104 converges into
tapered poxtion 108 which is sized and shaped to mate with
tapered portion 109. Housing 101 defines threaded bore 110, into
which insert 104 is threaded, and the counterbore 111. The
annular space between insert 104 and counterbore 111 comprises
annular supply chamber 112, and port 11~ is connected to supply
conduit 36 and opens into annular supply chamber 112. The
supply conduit 36 functions to communica~e a source of high-
pre~sure trea~ing fluid wi~h annular supply chamber 112, and
the treatlng'~olution flowing to annular supply chamber 112
1~7Z4~5
flows between tapered portions 108 and 109 of adapter 102 and
. insert 1~4, in~o rod opeining 105 of adaptex 102~ and along path
: P of the rod 14. The direct.ion of flow of the treating solution
: flowing through the tapered annular o~ifi~e 116 formed by
tapered portions 10~ and 109 is general~y along the length of
path P into cooling conduit 16 which functions to create a flow
of treating solution through rod conduit 16 along the length of
the rod 14 in the same dixection as the movement of the rod.
The conduit 16 is main~ained in a substantially filled condition
,` 10 while the rod is passing therethrough~
Referring now to Figure 3 which is a detailed sectio~al
view of apparatus 17 positioned between the first treatment zone
15-17 and the second treatment zone 17-19, there is shown a
. housiny 120 provi:ded with aligned apertures formed in entrance
t" wall 122 and exit wall 124, a baffle plate 125 substantially
.~ identical to baffle plate 53 of Figure 2, around rod path P.
Spray nozzles 126, 128 positioned above rod path P on opposite
sides of baffle plate 125 are provided to direct a stream of high
pressure treating solution onto the rod 14 passing therebeneath. .,
~` 20 The function of the spray section is to dislodge oxide scale
loosened from the surface of the rod 14 after ~eing thermally ~:
shocked in the first treatme~t zone 15-17. The spray emitted
by noz~les 126, 128 also directs the entering treating solution
from conduits 16, 18 towards the opening 130 located in the ~o~om
wall 132 of the housing 120 for return to tank 30 (Figure 1) via
.~; conduit 40. By partially separating the oppositely entering
treating solution the tendency to foam is thereby minimized. V~t
me~ns 1 , 136 communicating with the intericr o~ the ùousing 120
22 _
..
~ 72~Z5
is provided on the top wall 138. The baffle plate 125 depends
from the top w~ll 138 of housing 120 and includes a guide socket
139 located in the aperture defining an annular converging opening
140 for initially guiding the lead end o:E the roll 12~ a~ before
mention~d.
~ reating solution entering apparatus 17 ~ia conduit 1
originates in apparatus 19 as best seen in Figure 4. Thus, for
purposes of explanation, as in the case of first tre~tment zone
15-17, ~he second treatment 7.one is depicted by reference numerals
17-19 and includes the elements 17, 18, 19. Apparatus 19
comprises housing 150 provided with aligned apertuxes formed in
entrance wall 152 and exit wall 154. Injector nozzle 160 is
connected to the entrance wall 152 and is identical to injector
100 of Figure 2, except that it is positioned so as to inject
treating solution into cooling co~duit 18 countercurrent to the
direction of travel of rod 14. Supply conduit communicates with
conduit 38 to provide the trea~ing solution to injector 160. A
flow accelerator 170 is connected to exit wall 154 of the housing
150 and includes housing 171 and nozæle spool 172. Nozzle spool
172 extends through the opening of exit wall 154 and defines
opening 173 along its length, which is in alignment with rod
path PO Annular groove 174 is cut in the ~xternal surface of
nozzle spool 172, and a plurality of apertures 175 extend from
annular yroove 174 toward rod opening 173, at an angle extending
toward the housing 150. Flow accelerator housing 171 surrounds
an~ular opening 174, and an annular supply chamber 176 is defined
~etween housin~ 171 and nozzle spool 172. Supply conduit 178
communicates with port 179 which opens into annular supply
23 ~
- 111i7Z'~Z5
chamber 176 and fl~ws through apertures 175 into rod opening 173.
Apertures 175 are arranged so that the velocity of ~he ~reating
solution flowing into rod opening 173 is in the dir~ction of
housing 150, which induces a fluid flow through rod opening 173
to~ard housing 150. Thus, liquid in conduit 20 will be further
il induced to flow toward housing 150.
l Drain conduit 180 is connected to housing 150 through
¦ bottom wall 182. Vent opening 184 is connected to housing 150
¦ through top wall 186. Thus, any treating fluid received in hous-
¦ ing 150 from flow accelerator 170 or from cooling conduit 20 will
I be drained away via drain 180. Similarly, any gases present in
I housing 150 can be exhausted through the vent 184. It should be
i mentioned that under normal operating conditions the rod 14
leaves the second treatment zone 17-19 in a substantially clean
¦~ condition at a temperature below which any substantial reoxidation
of the rod can occur upon exiting the final treatment zone, e.g.,
¦ 150F. A third treatment zone substantially identical to the
¦ se~ond treatment zone is optionally provided fvr increased
production rates. For purposes of completeness, the third zone
~ can be a combined treating-rinsing device substantially as shown
in earlier-mentioned commonly assigned U S Patent 3,623,532
(Figure 5), modified to receive the non-acid treating solution
according to this invention, or, as shown in Figure 5 can be
i` combined with a waxing applicator. Referring now to Figure 5,
apparatus 21 includes housing 200 divided by baffles 201, 202.
Entrance wall 203, exit wall 204 and baffles each define aligned
openinys about rod path P, sg that the rod 14 can pass through the
houaing Gu~de socksts 205, 206 ~upported by baffle 202 and exit
24 -
~t7~ 5
,' wall 204 gnide the leading end o~ the rod 14 along path P.
Injector 2~7 posit~oned in entrance wall 203 ls sim~lar to
injector 160 of ~i~ure 4, and t~ea~ing solution rom supply 3D
enters the injector 207 via conduit 39 under pressure and co~-
municates with conduit 20 through ~hich the rod 14 passes.
The direction o flow of t~e treating fluid is counteTcurrent
to the rod tra~el. rt will be recalled, however, that this
feature can be modified to dlrect the fluid concurrent to
the rod travel.
A ~axing nozzle 20~ is po~i~ioned in baffle 201 down-
strea~ of ~njector 2Q7. Waxing nozzle 208 is simllar to air
nozzle 59 of Figure 2. Condui~ 209 communica~es with a
source of wax (not shown) to supply wax under pressure to
waxing nozzle 208. The surface of the rod 14 is thereby
coated as the rod passes therethroug~. A drain line 210 at
the bottom wall 211 of housing 200 returns unused wax to
the supply ~not shown~. If desired, an air nozzle similar
to ~he air nozzle 59 of Figure 2 can be pos~tioned immcdiately
thereafter the waxing step to wipe excess wax from the rod
14 and to drr the rod. Ho~ever, this additional feature
can be d~spensed with since the rod retains su~fic~ent latent
heat to self-dr~ after coiling. ~ent 213 connected to top
wall 212 of housing 200 functions to exhaust gases from
the housing 200 to t~e atmosphere. The equipment do~nstream
of the combined treating-waxlng de~ice includes p~nch roll$
22, rod guide mechanism 23 and coiler 24, schematicall~
shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. These devices are described
in detail in U.S.A. Patent 3,623,S32. It ~hould be mentioned~
that the ~axing applicator can be eliminated where the
treating composit~on of this invention is formulated wi~h a
~i compati~le lu~riceous mater~al ~hlch minimizes ~urther
'- oxidation and unctions as a lubr~cant for subsequent ~ire
- 25 -
~ z~s
drawlng operations. ~or add~tional protection, a separate
~axing step can ~e employed, i~ desired.
It should ~e appreciated that the present invention is
not to he construed as belng limited ~ the lllustrati~e
embodiments. rt ~s possible to produce still other embodi-
ments withou~ departing from the inventi~e concep~s herein
disclosed, Such embodiments are within ~he ability of one
, .
skilled in the art.
,
:
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