Unfired charge zone

If the heating zones from the charge door to the soak zone were much shorter and more numerous, for example, seven instead of three top zones, and seven instead of three bottom zones (including added firing in the normally unfired zone), the furnace program would enter the correct action as the second or third piece is extracted, and firing would be consistent with the actual mill supply of hot pieces from the furnace. The instability of the firing rates would be avoided, fuel rates reduced, and product quality improved. 

Preliminary Decisions "Walking hearth foiu-zone reheat furnace, with all zones longitudinally or side fired. Zone 1 (charge end) is to be unfired. Zones 2 and 3 are to be side fired, and zone 4 (soak) is to be fired longitudinally, using ambiet air in all burners. Fuel = natural gas. Hearth width should include 2 ft clearance on each end of 30 ft long billets = 34 ft. 

---