If you want standard AA6xxx series alloys, continuous homogenizing is your first choice. Most of these billets are homogenized in one of the 120 continuous furnaces manufactured by SMS group subsidiary Hertwich and installed around the world. We configure all our homogenizing plants to meet all your wants and needs relating to throughput, floor area, and technical features.
However, batch-type homogenizing is still the best technology for some applications: alloys which require long holding times of six to twelve hours, large-only log diameters, frequent temperature changes, or intermittent production. That explains why, in recent years, Hertwich has supplied several batch homogenizing plants featuring state-of-the-art technology. As a result, they achieve outstanding metallurgical quality and productivity.
Concepts
Batch homogenizing
Let’s take a look at homogenization in a conventional batch furnace. Here, the temperature profile of a log largely depends on its position in the batch: Logs at the edges of a batch are more exposed to the convection from the heated gases. That means they reach the set temperature ahead of logs in the center. Our new generation of batch furnaces with reversing air function heat up 20 percent faster. Due to the reversing airflow, there is only a slight temperature deviation between the outer and inner logs.
Continuous homogenizing
In a continuous homogenizing plant logs travel through the furnace and the cooling station on one level. First up, the furnace comprises a heating and a holding compartment. The heating compartment ensures the logs reach a uniform specified temperature. Installed at the end of the heating compartment, sting thermocouples verify the temperature of each log. Next, the logs travel to the holding compartment. Here they are kept to precisely the set temperature throughout the holding time. This period can be from two to nine hours. Finally, the cooling station cools the logs according to the selected regime. Simply adjusting the fan speed controls the cooling rate in the air cooler. All this ensures the heating, holding, and cooling parameters are exactly the same for every log.
Technology
Service
Contact

Elke Deubler
Hertwich Engineering GmbH
Prof. Weinberger-Straße 6
5280 Braunau am Inn
Austria
Phone
: +43 7722 806 112
Fax
: +43 7722 806 122

Günther Wimroither
Hertwich Engineering GmbH
Prof. Weinberger-Straße 6
5280 Braunau am Inn
Austria
Phone
: +43 7722 806 -112
Fax
: +43 7722 806 -122

Thomas Oberweger
Hertwich Engineering GmbH
Prof. Weinberger-Straße 6
5280 Braunau am Inn
Austria
Phone
: +43 7722 806 112
Fax
: +43 7722 806 122