PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING AND REMOVING LIQUID COOLANT TO CONTROL TEMPERATURE OF CONTINUOUSLY MOVING METAL STRIP

Cooling of metal strip (16) in a single or multistand cold rolling line by apply ing coolant liquid only to the lower surface of the strip (16), and removing the liquid therefrom, after each, or between succes sive roll stands (11a, 11b, 11c). The liquid is delivered, at each cooling locality, at low pressure through a plurality of slots (32) each extending transversely beneath and across the full width of the strip (16), the slots (32) being spaced apart along the path o f the strip (16) and generally being oriented to discharge the coolant liquid toward the strip lower surface at an angle of great er than 90.degree. to the direction of strip advance. Coolant removal is effected by directing one or more liquid knives (52a, 54a, 60a) again st the strip lower surface between the plurality of slots (32) and the next downstream roll stand in the line, at a location at whic h the strip (16) is trained around a hold-down roll (56).