Primetals launches advanced Heat-Transfer Test Facility
Primetals Technologies is spearheading advancements in industrial cooling system optimization through the launch of a state-of-the-art universal heat-transfer test facility. This innovative solution delivers in-depth, data-driven insights into the thermodynamic behaviour of the hot strand during the cooling process, thereby providing fundamental support for the enhancement and fine-tuning of cooling systems in continuous casting and a broad spectrum of other industrial applications—where precise thermal managementis pivotal to product quality, metallurgical properties and operational efficiency.
The core function of this advanced test facility lies in its ability to accurately replicate real-world industrial cooling scenarios in a controlled laboratory environment. At its center is a precisely controllable moving measurement plate, which is densely instrumented with an array of high-precision temperature sensors. During testing, this plate traverses beneath spray nozzles—which can be arranged in any configuration—at variable, programmable speeds. This allows technicians to monitor the exact temperature reduction profile, i.e. the cooling effect.. A key feature of this facility is its support for experimental operation across a wide range of operating speeds, and the entire equipment unit can be fully rotated to truly simulate every possible cooling position along the continuous casting machine in industrial production.
The versatility of this platform yields substantial value across the entire lifecycle of casting equipment. By replicating virtually any conceivable cooling system configuration—encompassing nozzle type, spray pattern, flow rate, impact angle, and stand-off distance—the facility facilitates the virtual commissioning and fine-tuning of cooling strategies for new continuous casters prior to their on-site installation. For existing machines, it provides a powerful diagnostic and optimization tool to address quality issues such as surface cracks, internal segregation, or excessive reheating, and to support grade-transition strategies and throughput enhancement. Furthermore, its application extends beyond continuous casting to optimize cooling in processes like rolling mills, forging lines or any system dependent on controlled spray cooling.
Operational excellence is guaranteed by its strategic location and expert oversight. Housed at Primetals Technologies' specialized development center in Linz, Austria, the facility is operated by the company's seasoned automation and process engineering professionals. This team not only conducts high-precision testing but also provides comprehensive data analysis, translating raw temperature data into actionable recommendations for cooling system design and process parameter adjustment. Importantly, this world-class resource is offered as a service to the global metals industry, supporting both Primetals Technologies' own casters and those supplied by other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), thereby driving broader industry progress.
In summary, this heat-transfer test facility represents a significant advancement from theoretical modeling to empirical, high-fidelity validation. It empowers metallurgists and engineers to replace estimations with precise measurements, transforming cooling from a heuristic practice into a precise science. By enabling the optimization of heat extraction for superior slab, bloom and billet quality, this technology directly contributes to improved yield, enhanced energy efficiency, and strengthened competitiveness for steel producers worldwide.