Deoxygenation of furnaces with hydrogen-containing atmoshperes

Abstract

A method of removing oxygen molecules present in a furnace atmosphere having the step of: reacting the oxygen molecules from the furnace atmosphere on one or more catalytic reactors. A furnace having an atmosphere and at least one catalytic reactor for removing oxygen molecules present in said atmosphere

1 . A method of removing oxygen molecules present in a furnace atmosphere comprising the step of: reacting said oxygen molecules from said furnace atmosphere on one or more catalytic reactors.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said furnace comprises a hydrogen-containing atmosphere.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reactor comprises catalyst and a support.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said catalytic reactor comprises platinum, palladium, nickel, noble metals, rhodium, or ruthenium.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reactor comprises: platinum, palladium, nickel, noble metals, rhodium, or ruthenium. supported on metallic, semiconductive or ceramicsubstrate or structure.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said furnace is a batch furnace or a continuous furnace.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of monitoring if the reactor is removing said oxygen molecules from the furnace atmosphere.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said monitoring step is performed by measuring a temperature inside and outside the reactor within the furnace.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said monitoring step is performed by measuring the composition of the atmosphere within the furnace.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said reactor is used in furnaces for a process selected from the group consisting of: bright annealing ferrous or non-ferrous parts, heat-treating, hardening, carburizing, brazing parts, sintering metal or ceramic powders, sealing glass to metals and float glass production.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of locating said at least one reactor near a source of ingressing gas.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of locating said at least one reactor near the exit of the furnace or at the entrance of the furnace.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of incorporating said one or more reactors into one or more furnace structures.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said one or more furnace structures are selected from the group consisting of: curtain, flap, powder lock, bead lock, and exit door.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of locating said reactor in an in-take pipe to an atmosphere recycle system.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of locating said reactor near an opening to the in-take pipe to an atmosphere recycle system.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of locating said reactor in a portion of said furnace where the atmosphere temperature is less than 579° C.  
   
   
       18 . A furnace comprising an atmosphere and at least one catalytic reactor for removing oxygen molecules present in said atmosphere.  
   
   
       19 . The furnace of  claim 18  further comprising monitoring means for said one or more reactors.  
   
   
       20 . The furnace of  claim 18  wherein said atmosphere is less than 579° C.