A continuous cleaning installation 1 of a passing strip S includes a tank 2, an aqueous solution 3 inside the tank 2. It also includes at least a roll 4 immerged in the aqueous solution 3, at least an ultrasound emitter 5, a feed for feeding 6 an aqueous solution and emptying 7 the tank. Moreover, it also includes and estimator for estimating 8 the aqueous solution level, a calculator for calculating 9 for each ultrasound emitter 5 its distance to the aqueous solution level and a controller for controlling the power 10 of the at least one ultrasound emitter 5 and at least an impermeable closable opening 11 on at least a lateral side of the tank through which the at least one ultrasound emitter 5 can pass.

The invention concerns a continuous pickling plant (101) for the treatment of metal products (109) in the form of a strip or tube which includes a plurality of acid solution process tanks (102) each divided into a plurality of turbulence cells (114) and a recirculation system of the acid solution. The plant also includes, upstream of the plurality of process tanks (102), a device for heating (124; 126) the metal product (109), namely an induction heating (124) system and/or a tunnel with water sprays (126). A solution with only two pickling tanks (102) is also presented. Devices are described (135; 136; 138, 138a) to increase turbulence in the tanks and to accelerate pickling, e.g. by adding fresh acid (146) in the first tank. The invention also concerns a related pickling process. The invention optimizes the effect of the acid and reduces the residence time of the strip (109) in the plant.

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.

This method for cleaning wires enables effective descaling and removal of smuts from wires, prevents yellowing after cleaning, and significantly reduces the amount of water discharged as a result of cleaning, said method including, in the stated order: (A) pickling a wire; (B) cleaning the wire with acidic pressurized water, the concentration of which is adjusted with water and collected pickle solution which has adhered to and been recovered by the wire after use in Step (A); and (C) cleaning the wire with water.

A cold-rolled steel sheet has excellent chemical convertibility and excellent corrosion resistance after coating. A method of manufacturing a cold-rolled steel sheet includes first pickling applied to a steel sheet which is continuously annealed after cold rolling, second pickling applied to the steel sheet subsequently and, thereafter, neutralizing treatment applied to the steel sheet using an alkaline solution.

A method, for treating a steel strip with a treatment liquid in a station having at least a spray section, an immersion section, and a common collector for treatment liquid, the steel strip having carbon steel with top and bottom surfaces and being a continuous steel strip, oriented substantially horizontally, both in longitudinal and transverse directions, involves transporting the steel strip continuously through the station in a transport direction parallel to the steel strip's longitudinal direction; spraying treatment liquid with spray nozzles onto the steel strip's top and bottom surfaces while in the spray section of the station; immersing the steel strip in the treatment liquid while in the immersion section of the station; and, while treating the steel strip, continuously pumping the treatment liquid out of the common collector and through both the spray section and the immersion section of the station.

A method for treating a steel strip uses a treatment liquid in a treatment station having at least a spray section, an immersion section, and a common collector for the liquid, the steel. strip including stainless steel, top surface, and a bottom surface, and being continuous, oriented substantially horizontally, both in its longitudinal and transverse directions, involves transporting the steel strip continuously through the station in a transport direction parallel to the steel strip's longitudinal direction, first, spraying the liquid, using one or more spray nozzles, onto the steel strip's top and bottom surfaces while in the spray section and, second, immersing the steel strip in the liquid while in the immersion section, wherein, while treating the steel strip, continuous pumping the liquid out of the common collector and through both the spray section and the immersion section.

A method for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys. The method includes pickling the flat product, in particular for degreasing the flat product. The method includes carrying out a colour measurement on the surface of the flat product to determine at least one measured colour value after pickling the flat product. The method includes generating output information on the basis of the at least one measured colour value. The output information is indicative of compliance with at least one rule for the measured colour value and outputting or triggering the output of the output information. The invention further relates to a device for the surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys and to a use of a colorimeter which is configured to determine at least one measured colour value in a surface treatment of flat products made of aluminium alloys.

Aspects treat and remove a layer of scale comprising iron oxide and alloying elements oxides that is formed on an advanced high strength metal surface comprising at least two (2) percent by weight of alloy. A first conditioning process compromises structural integrity of or removes iron oxide within the scale layer to expose the alloy oxide to chemical engagement with a disposed aqueous alkali salt solution that is heated to transforming one or more alkali salts within the disposed solution into a quasi-molten form. The alloy oxide is oxidized via reaction with the solution quasi molten alkali salt(s) and water, forming one or more water soluble alkali alloy compounds. A water rinse dissolves and rinses the water soluble compound(s) from the steel product surface of the advanced high strength, leaving a film of iron oxide on the surface that is removed via a final pickling process.

Aspects treat and remove a layer of scale comprising iron oxide and alloying elements oxides that is formed on an advanced high strength metal surface comprising at least two (2) percent by weight of alloy. A first conditioning process compromises structural integrity of or removes iron oxide within the scale layer to expose the alloy oxide to chemical engagement with a disposed aqueous alkali salt solution that is heated to transforming one or more alkali salts within the disposed solution into a quasi-molten form. The alloy oxide is oxidized via reaction with the solution quasi molten alkali salt(s) and water, forming one or more water soluble alkali alloy compounds. A water rinse dissolves and rinses the water soluble compound(s) from the steel product surface of the advanced high strength, leaving a film of iron oxide on the surface that is removed via a final pickling process.