US2003226620A1PendingUtilityA1

Process and apparatus for producing amtospheres for high productivity carburizing

Priority: Jun 5, 2002Filed: May 19, 2003Published: Dec 11, 2003
Est. expiryJun 5, 2022(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
C23C 8/22
33
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Claims

Abstract

This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for producing high productivity carburizing. A process is introduced that uses a gas mixture made up of CO, H 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O, CH 4 and N 2 , such that the product of the %CO and %H 2 is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO 2 is greater than 10; and the ratio of H 2 /H 2 O is greater than about 10. The gas mixture is controlled for a short time. A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel is also introduced. This reactor is composed of a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around the first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around the second central tube.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for carburizing steel parts in a furnace comprising 
 a. introducing into said furnace a gas mixture comprising CO, H 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O, CH 4  and N 2  such that the product of the %CO and %H 2  is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO 2  is greater than 10; and the ratio of H 2 /H 2 O is greater than about 10; and    b. controlling the gas mixture in said furnace for less than about 5 minutes.    
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said product of %CO and %H 2  is greater than about 2000.  
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein said gas mixture is controlled in the furnace for less than about 3 minutes.  
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3  wherein said gas mixture is controlled in the furnace for less than about 1 minute.  
     
     
         5 . A process for carburizing steel parts in a furnace comprising 
 a. introducing into said furnace a gas mixture comprising CO, H 2 , CO 2 , H 2 O, CH 4  and N 2  such that the product of the %CO and %H 2  is greater than about 1600, the ratio of CO/CO 2  is greater than 10, and the ratio of H 2 /H 2 O is greater than about 10; said gas mixture being generated by a mixture of CH 4  and CO 2  over a noble gas catalyst on an ceramic carrier at the temperature range of between about 850° C. and 950° C.; and    b. controlling the gas mixture in said furnace for less than about 5 minutes.    
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said product of %CO and %H 2  is greater than about 2000.  
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said noble gas catalyst is platinum.  
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said noble gas catalyst is rhodium.  
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said ceramic carrier is an alumina carrier.  
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 5  wherein said gas mixture is generated by a reactor that comprises a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around said first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around said second central tube.  
     
     
         11 . The reactor of  claim 10  comprising six catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around said second central tube.  
     
     
         12 . A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel which comprises 
 a. a cylindrically symmetric body;    b. a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow;    c. a second central tube concentrically disposed around said first central tube; and    d. a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around said second central tube.    
     
     
         13 . The reactor of  claim 12  comprising six catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around said second central tube.  
     
     
         14 . The reactor of  claim 12  wherein said electrical heating elements maintains the gas mixture about 850° C. to about 950° C.

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