A heating device and/or method to heat a slab, and in particular its edges, by electromagnetic induction, including an electric coil and a magnetic concentrator associated with the electric coil.

Apparatus for heating metal products, able to heat by electromagnetic induction at least one metal product positioned in a heating chamber and mobile in a direction of feed, in which said heating apparatus comprises one or more heating coils positioned in a ring around said heating chamber and said metal product to be heated; said one or more heating coils are positioned substantially transversely to the direction of feed of the metal product and are able to generate a magnetic field having a direction substantially parallel or coincident to the direction of feed of the product to be heated and directed in the same direction as said direction of feed of the product to be heated; said heating apparatus also comprises at least one heat shield positioned between said one or more heating coils and the metal product to be heated; said heat shield comprises walls provided with blocks of thermal and electric insulating material and positioned around the metal product to be heated and also comprises cooling pipes positioned in said walls and configured to allow the flow of at least one cooling fluid.

Apparatus for heating metal products, able to heat by electromagnetic induction at least one metal product positioned in a heating chamber and mobile in a direction of feed, in which said heating apparatus comprises one or more heating coils positioned in a ring around said heating chamber and said metal product to be heated; said one or more heating coils are positioned substantially transversely to the direction of feed of the metal product and are able to generate a magnetic field having a direction substantially parallel or coincident to the direction of feed of the product to be heated and directed in the same direction as said direction of feed of the product to be heated; said heating apparatus also comprises at least one heat shield positioned between said one or more heating coils and the metal product to be heated; said heat shield comprises walls provided with blocks of thermal and electric insulating material and positioned around the metal product to be heated and also comprises cooling pipes positioned in said walls and configured to allow the flow of at least one cooling fluid.

A method for the thermal treatment of mineral raw materials such as limestone or dolomite is shown and described, which includes at least the following steps of a. providing a mineral bulk material and a conductive material and b. placing the mineral bulk material and the conductive material into a kiln, generating an electromagnetic field inside the kiln, thermally treating the mineral bulk material in the kiln by means of electromagnetic excitation of the conductive material in the electromagnetic field, and removing the thermally treated mineral bulk material and the conductive material from the kiln. Using the method described, even large quantities of mineral bulk material can be efficiently converted.

A method for the thermal treatment of mineral raw materials such as limestone or dolomite is shown and described, which includes at least the following steps of a. providing a mineral bulk material and a conductive material and b. placing the mineral bulk material and the conductive material into a kiln, generating an electromagnetic field inside the kiln, thermally treating the mineral bulk material in the kiln by means of electromagnetic excitation of the conductive material in the electromagnetic field, and removing the thermally treated mineral bulk material and the conductive material from the kiln. Using the method described, even large quantities of mineral bulk material can be efficiently converted.

A controlled thermal coefficient product manufacturing system and method is disclosed. The disclosed product relates to the manufacture of metallic material product (MMP) having a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range. The disclosed system and method provides for a first material deformation (FMD) of the MMP that comprises at least some of a first material phase (FMP) wherein the FMP comprises martensite randomly oriented and a first thermal expansion coefficient (FTC). In response to the FMD at least some of the FMP is oriented in at least one predetermined orientation. Subsequent to deformation, the MMP comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient (STC) that is within a predetermined range and wherein the thermal expansion of the MMP is in at least one predetermined direction. The MMP may be comprised of a second material phase (SMP) that may or may not transform to the FMP in response to the FMD.

A controlled thermal coefficient product manufacturing system and method is disclosed. The disclosed product relates to the manufacture of metallic material product (MMP) having a thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) in a predetermined range. The disclosed system and method provides for a first material deformation (FMD) of the MMP that comprises at least some of a first material phase (FMP) wherein the FMP comprises martensite randomly oriented and a first thermal expansion coefficient (FTC). In response to the FMD at least some of the FMP is oriented in at least one predetermined orientation. Subsequent to deformation, the MMP comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient (STC) that is within a predetermined range and wherein the thermal expansion of the MMP is in at least one predetermined direction. The MMP may be comprised of a second material phase (SMP) that may or may not transform to the FMP in response to the FMD.

An inductor to heat, by electromagnetic induction, an electrically conductive body, including an induction body, hollow inside, suitable to generate an electromagnetic field, the internal surface of which defines a containing seating, disposed through in a longitudinal direction.

A method of heating direct reduced iron between a direct reduced iron source and processing equipment for the direct reduced iron, comprises providing a conduit heater assembly between the direct reduced iron source and the processing equipment, wherein the conduit heater assembly receives a flow of the direct reduced iron from the direct reduced iron source and heats the direct reduced iron as the direct reduced iron flows through the conduit heater assembly and to the processing equipment.

A method of heating direct reduced iron between a direct reduced iron source and processing equipment for the direct reduced iron, comprises providing a conduit heater assembly between the direct reduced iron source and the processing equipment, wherein the conduit heater assembly receives a flow of the direct reduced iron from the direct reduced iron source and heats the direct reduced iron as the direct reduced iron flows through the conduit heater assembly and to the processing equipment.