HEAT RETENTION TUNNEL FOR PROCESSING COILS OF HOT ROLLED BAR AND ROD PRODUCTS
A heat retention tunnel is disclosed for processing vertically disposed coils of a hot rolled product being transported along a path. The tunnel comprises walls extending along the sides of the path, and a roof overlying the path. Heat reflective panels line interior surfaces of the walls at locations facing the coils being transported along the path.
1 . A heat retention tunnel for processing vertically disposed coils of a hot rolled product being transported along a path, said tunnel comprising:
walls extending along the sides of said path;
a roof overlying said path; and
heat reflective panels lining interior surfaces of said walls at locations facing the coils being transported along said path.
2 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 1 further comprising barrier panels underlying said path, said barrier panels being arranged to retard any upward flow of ambient air through said tunnel.
3 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 1 wherein said heat reflective panels have a height at least equal to the height of the tallest coils being processed.
4 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 2 wherein said heat reflective panels have a height at least equal to the height of the tallest coils being processed.
5 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 1 wherein said heat reflective panels are fabricated from a heat resistant material.
6 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 2 wherein said heat reflective panels are fabricated from a heat resistant material.
7 . The heat retention tunnel of claim 4 wherein said heat resistant material is stainless steel.