Patent ID: 6264757
Filing Date: 2001-07-24
Classification: B01D,B03C,B08B,B21B,C23C,C23G,Y02P

Abstract:
Processing flat-rolled continuous-strip steel, in preparation for in-line electrolytic metallic plating finishing operations, so as to eliminate interruption of in-line operations for cleansing solution purposes, comprising(A) providing for submersed travel of continuous-strip steel, through extended-length cleansing solution holding means, for dislodging surface contaminants which consist essentially of iron fines, iron oxide particulate and associated debris, while such strip is moving in the direction of its length at a line speed commensurate with subsequent in-line processing requirements;(B) selecting a purity level range for such surface cleansing solution for sustaining desired surface cleansing for subsequent in-line processing;(C) continuously regenerating such cleansing solution, during such continuous in-line operations, to establish a purity level within such selected range, by substantially continuously:(i) controllably withdrawing cleansing solution, with dislodged contaminants, from such holding means at a predetermined rate,(ii) directing such withdrawn cleansing solution to continuous-flow filtering means, for physically filtering dislodged contaminants so as to obtain a return-filtrate which is within such selected purity-level range,(iii) returning such filtrate to such holding means for continuing use in dislodging such surface contaminants from such submerged continuous-strip, while(D) providing magnetically-assisted contaminant separator structure including support framing for paramagnetic sheet material, with such sheet material:(i) defining separator-container means having significantly less capacity, for holding liquids than such extended-length cleansing-solution holding means, such separator-container means, including(ii) at least one extended-surface-area wall means presenting an internal surface of such separator structure and an accessible external surface, supported by such framing;(E) positioning permanent magnet means, for establishing lines of magnetic flux acting internally of such separator structure, so as to attract and retain iron fines, iron oxide particulate and associated debris internally of such separator container means, bysupporting such magnet means contiguous to such external wall surface so as to establish lines of magnetic flux acting internally of such separator-container means;(F) providing a flushing liquid, selected from the group consisting of (i) contaminated cleansing solution, and (ii) an aqueous liquid compatible with such cleansing solution, for continuously flushing physically-filtered contaminants from such continuous-flow filtering means, and(G) directing such flushing liquid and flushed contaminants for distribution over such extended internal surface area, of such paramagnetic sheet material wall means, for attraction and retention of such contaminants by such lines of magnetic flux acting internally of such separator container means, while(H) returning decontaminated flushing liquid, which has been subjected to such magnetic flux for separating and retaining contaminants, is returned to such in-line holding means so as to maintain a purity level within such selected range for such surface cleansing solution.