METHOD FOR RECLAIMING ENERGY IN SMELTING SYSTEMS AND SMELTING SYSTEM BASED ON THERMOCOUPLES

1 . Method for energy recuperation in metallurgical plants utilizing residual heat of a plant component and/or hot product ( 1 ),

characterized in that

a heat flow dQ/dt is allowed to flow from a plant component and/or hot product ( 1 ) having a first temperature level T 1 to a location having a second lower temperature level T 2 , wherein, between the two temperature levels T 1 , T 2 , at least one thermocouple element ( 2 ) is arranged which directly produces electrical energy by utilizing the heat flow dQ/dt.

2 . Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that as thermocouple element ( 2 ), a thermocouple element with at least one doped semiconductor pair is used.

3 . Method according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that thermocouple element ( 2 ), a thermocouple element is used which is coated by means of the PVD method (Physical Vapor Deposition) and is subsequently mechanically manufactured.

4 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the at least one thermocouple element ( 2 ) is utilized in a temperature range of 100° C.-120° C., and the material of the thermocouple element ( 2 ) is optimally adjusted to the respective temperature.

5 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that a number of thermocouple elements ( 2 ) are used which are switched together to form thermoelectric generator (TEG).

6 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that initially a slab ( 1 ) is continuously cast in a continuous casting plant ( 4 ) and that following the continuous casting plant ( 4 ), the slab ( 1 ) is cut to length by means of a severing device ( 10 ), particularly a flame cutting machine, wherein the slab ( 1 ) is protected against heat discharge in front of and/or behind the severing device ( 10 ) by thermal insulation means.

7 . Method according to claim 6 , characterized in that thermal insulation means ( 35 ) constructed as thermal insulation hoods are positioned in such a way that their position is adapted to the actual slab size and/or the conditions when cutting the slab ( 1 ).

8 . Method according to claim 6 or 7 , characterized in that the cut slab ( 1 ) is transported into slab storage ( 26 ) in the longitudinal or transverse directions, wherein the transport takes place on a roller table which is surrounded at least partially by thermocouple elements ( 2 ) or thermoelectric generators.

9 . Method according to claim 8 , characterized in that the slab ( 1 ) is transported and allowed to cool between the continuous casting plant ( 4 ) and the slab storage ( 26 ) in such a way that it reaches or does not drop below a predetermined temperature.

10 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that at least one thermocouple element ( 2 ) is cooled on at least one side.

11 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that the residual heat of the hot product ( 1 ), which has not been converted into electrical energy by means of the thermocouple element ( 2 ), is utilized in another process which requires heat.

12 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the heat of the cooling medium of the TEG element is utilized for drying a substance, for sea water desalination, for heating a device, or for chemical processes.

13 . Method according to one of claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the method for producing current by means of thermocouple elements and/or by means of a thermoelectric generator is combined with other energy recuperating technologies, preferably circulation processes (ORC plant/Kalina plant), for further current production.

14 . Metallurgical plant, comprising a plant part and/or a hot product ( 1 ) having a first temperature level T 1 as well as a location having a second, lower temperature level T 2 , characterized in that

in the area between the plant component and/or the hot product ( 1 ) having the first temperature level T 1 and the location with the second temperature level T 2 is arranged at least one thermocouple element ( 2 ) for the direct production of electrical energy by utilizing the heat flow (dQ/dt) resulting from the temperature gradient.

15 . Plant according to claim 14 , characterized in that the thermocouple element ( 2 ) has at least one doped semiconductor pair.

16 . Plant according to claim 14 or 15 , characterized in that the thermocouple element ( 2 ) is manufactured by means of the PVD method (Physical Vapor Deposition).

17 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 16 , characterized in that a number of thermocouple elements ( 2 ) are switched together to form a thermoelectric generator (TEG) ( 5 ).

18 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 17 , characterized in that it is, or comprises, a continuous casting plant ( 4 ) and/or furnaces and/or a hot strip rolling train.

19 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 18 , characterized in that thermocouple elements and/or thermoelectric generators are arranged between and/or adjacent the strand rollers of the continuous casting plant or adjacent the continuous casting plant.

20 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 19 , characterized in that it comprises a furnace ( 30 ) which has thermogenerator modules within the exhaust gas ducts 59 or/and at the pipe or duct walls.

21 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 20 , characterized in that a transport path, particularly a roller table on which no thermocouple elements ( 2 ) are arranged is provided with thermal insulation means.

22 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 21 , characterized, in that a transport path, particularly a roller table, or the transported product (for example, slab, billet or coil), and is surrounded by thermocouple elements or thermoelectric generators.

23 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 22 , characterized in that it comprises slab storage ( 26 ) and/or coil storage ( 47 ) whose walls have thermocouple elements ( 2 ) and/or thermal insulation means.

24 . Plant according to claim 23 , characterized in that the thermocouple elements ( 2 ) and/or the thermal insulation means are arranged so as to be movable, particularly pivotable or translatory slidable.

25 . Plant according to claim 23 or 24 , characterized in that air revolving means ( 21 ), particularly at least one blower, are arranged in the slab or coil storage.

26 . Plant according to one of claims 23 to 25 , characterized in that the energy is transported to the heat exchanger unit ( 24 ) and/or to the thermoelectric generators, and is transferred there in a concentrated manner through a ring line from the product ( 1 ) or storage ( 26 , 47 ) by means of a gaseous heat transporting medium (air, smoke gas, nitrogen) and at least one blower.

27 . Plant according to claim 25 or 26 , characterized in that the throughput of the gaseous heat transport medium and, thus, the energy exchange, are controlled by means of the blower.

28 . Plant according to one of claims 23 to 27 , characterized in that the slab or coil storage is constructed as a holding pit or high storage shelf, or mill or mill, level.

29 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 28 , characterized in that cooling means are arranged for cooling at least one side of the thermocouple element ( 2 ).

30 . Plant according to one of claims 14 to 29 , characterized in that several thermoelectric generators are arranged stacked in a heat exchanger unit ( 24 ), wherein especially the heating medium, the thermocouple element or thermoelectric generator, and the cooling medium act alternately or are arranged alternately.

31 . Plant according to claim 29 or 30 , characterized in that the cooling means are constructed for operation with air, nitrogen, smoke gas, water or a medium which boils at high temperatures, particularly thermoil.