Direct Flame Impingement: A New Oxy-Fuel Based Technology for Continuous Annealing of Aluminium Strip

Abstract

In the Direct Flame Impingement (DFI) process, oxy-fuel flames directly heat the moving metal strip. The resulting heat transfer can be up to ten times higher than in conventional fuel fired furnaces. Characteristic of the process is that the material temperature rises very quickly within a compact furnace body. The DFI process is successfully applied in the steel industry, for example to boost productivity in continuous steel galvanizing lines. Linde has performed several DFI aluminium strip annealing tests in its pilot plant laboratory. These results predict that the technology would play an important role in the aluminium industry. One important example is annealing of Auto Body Sheet. The paper will discuss the DFI technology and its applications in the Aluminium Industry, hardware, lab facilities, and results.