Patent · US Expired

Method of controlling furnace atmospheres

US4445945A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 4, 1983
Grant dateMay 1, 1984
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 4, 2003

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC23C8/22
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of controlling the atmosphere of a heat-treating furnace whose atmosphere consists essentially of a carrier gas of CO, H.sub.2 and N.sub.2 produced from a mixture of methanol and nitrogen. In accordance with the present invention, the ratio of flow of methanol to flow of nitrogen is varied to maintain the CO content of the furnace atmosphere at a predetermined value. This renders more effective the control by conventional means of the flow of additive gases to maintain the carbon potential of the furnace atmosphere at a predetermined value. The flows of methanol and nitrogen may be controlled based on monitored CO content only, or their control may be interrelated to monitored carbon potential as well.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.