Pickling a plurality of steel strips (2) having initial material properties (ME) on a pickling line: A computer (5) defines a number of sequences (Gi), which each contain the number of strips (2) to be pickled. For each of the defined sequences (Gi), the computer (5) determines an optimized mode of operation of the pickling line and, on the basis of the mode of operation, at least one measure (M), by means of a model (9) of the pickling line based on mathematical physical equations and by using the initial material properties (ME) of the strips. As long as a termination criterion (K) is not met, the computer (5) varies the defined sequences (Gi) and determines respective optimized modes of operation of the pickling line and associated measures (M) anew. As soon as the termination criterion (K) is met, the computer (5) either selects one of the last defined sequences (Gi) and initiates the control of the pickling line in accordance with the selected sequence (Gi) or offers to an operator (13) a plurality of the last defined sequences (Gi) together with the respective measures (M) thereof, receives a selection command (SEL) for selecting one of the offered sequences (Gi) from the operator (13), and initiates the control of the pickling line in accordance with the sequence (Gi) selected from the operator (13).

A device and method for post-treating a metal strip, wherein a pickled metal strip (2) coming from a pickling zone is advanced continuously through a rinsing zone (4) in which residues of a pickling agent adhering to the surface (11) of the metal strip (2) are removed by spraying the metal strip with rinsing fluid. At least one device (8) for generating a liquid mist (9) is provided in the rinsing zone (4). The device (8) can moisten the surface (14) of the metal strip (2) during an interruption of the continuous operation or of a sharply reduced speed of the strip. The device (8) has mist spraying jets above the surfaces of the metal strip.

A pickling apparatus for pickling a strip of metal being conveyed is equipped with: a pickling tank for storing an acid solution; a surrounding part disposed in the pickling tank so as to surround the strip immersed in the acid solution in the pickling tank; and an oxidant supply part for supplying a liquid oxidant toward an inside of the surrounding part.

A process control system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first system for generating thickness information about an internal defect layer included in a carbon steel product; and a second system which receives the thickness information about the internal defect layer from the first system through a network, and which controls an etching process for removing at least a part of the internal defect layer from the carbon steel product by using the thickness information about the internal defect layer, wherein the first system provides the second system with a calculation module necessary for the second system to control the etching process, and the second system provides the first system with the information necessary for the first system to update the calculation module.

The present application relates to an annealing device (1), in particular an annealing furnace, for the oxidation-free heat treatment N) of a hot-rolled steel strip (3), which is provided for the production of an electrical steel strip and/or stainless steel strip, a treatment line (2) for the continuous pickling and oxidation-free annealing of a hot-rolled steel strip (3), and a method for the continuous pickling and oxidation-free annealing of a hot-rolled steel strip (3).

A cleaning plant for hot-rolled metal strips provided with a surface oxide layer, the plant comprising unwinding means for unwinding at least one coil of rolled strip and pickling means for pickling said rolled strip; wherein there are provided measuring means for measuring the thickness of the surface oxide layer, arranged between said unwinding means and said pickling means; and wherein gaseous hydrogen detection means are provided to detect the presence of gaseous hydrogen in fumes produced by said pickling means. A corresponding cleaning method is also claimed.