Patent attributes
A quenching tank system includes a cooling tank having an entrance opening adapted to allow a first portion of a heated continuous tube to enter the cooling tank and to allow a first portion of a cooling fluid in the tank to flow out the entrance opening. The cooling tank includes an exit opening adapted to allow a partially cooled second portion of the continuous tube moving through the tank to exit the cooling tank and to allow a second portion of the cooling fluid in the tank to flow out the exit opening. The system also includes a cooling fluid collection and distribution system adapted to collect cooling fluid flowing out of the cooling tank, return the collected cooling fluid to the cooling tank and distribute the cooling fluid in the cooling tank. A method of cooling a heated continuous tube using a quenching tank system is described.