Patent ID: 8463446

Claim:
A method for automatic operation of a cooling section, wherein the cooling section comprises a plurality of coolant outlets for applying a coolant to a rolling stock passing through the cooling section, the method comprising the steps of: supplying the plurality of coolant outlets with the coolant via a plurality of branch lines, in each of which a valve is arranged, wherein individually opening and closing the plurality of valves supplies the coolant to the coolant outlets selectively for each respective branch line; supplying the plurality of branch lines with the coolant via a main line shared by all of the respective branch lines; calibrating operation of the cooling section by determining a valve-specific characteristic for at least one ot the plurality of valves, by: opening and closing the respective valve and detecting a resultant variation over time of a quantitative coolant flow by measuring a volume flow of coolant in the main line; and detecting a calibrating pressure prevaling in the respective supply line; determining a valve-specific opening time and a valve-specific closing time for the at least one of the plurality of valves, based at least in part on the determined valve-specific characteristic, a normal pressure prevailing in the respective supply line during normal operation, and the detected calibrating pressure; and opening and closing the plurality of valves, using an automated device, at the determined valve-specific opening times and the determined valve-specific closing times during normal operation of the cooling section to apply coolant to the rolling stock in accordance with a predetermined variation in coolant quantities; wherein the respective valve-specific characteristic comprises an average quantitative coolant flow which, with the respective valve open, flows through the respective valve.