Heat Transfer during Multiple Jet Impingement on the Top Surface of Hot Rolled Steel Strip

Using a unique pilot facility a series of tests were conducted using three top jets to simulate the heat transfer that occurs during run-out table (ROT) cooling. Steel samples instrumented with internal thermocouples were tested on this facility and the effect of top jet configuration (nozzle spacing of 40 to 115mm), and water flow rate (15 and 30 l/min) were quantified using moving plate samples. The multiple top jet work indicated that heat transfer across the plate width varies significantly and is high directly under the nozzle but decreases rapidly away from the nozzle in the interaction region. As cooling progresses a much larger wetted region occurs and more uniform cooling is experienced across the plate. Multiple jet cooling experiments have also confirmed that nozzle spacing does have an effect on heat transfer. This effect is predominate in the interaction region where closer nozzle spacing leads to enhanced and more uniform heat transfer in the lateral direction across the plate width away from the nozzle. As expected higher water flow rates led to higher heat transfer both under the nozzle and in the interaction region.