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EP1842931B1 - Method for heat treatment - Google Patents

Method for heat treatment Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1842931B1
EP1842931B1 EP07006603.0A EP07006603A EP1842931B1 EP 1842931 B1 EP1842931 B1 EP 1842931B1 EP 07006603 A EP07006603 A EP 07006603A EP 1842931 B1 EP1842931 B1 EP 1842931B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
propellant
heat treatment
furnace
injected
atmosphere
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
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EP07006603.0A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1842931A1 (en
Inventor
Thomas Mahlo
Gerd Waning
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Linde GmbH
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Linde GmbH
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Publication date
Priority claimed from DE200610015739 external-priority patent/DE102006015739A1/en
Application filed by Linde GmbH filed Critical Linde GmbH
Priority to EP07006603.0A priority Critical patent/EP1842931B1/en
Priority to PL07006603T priority patent/PL1842931T3/en
Publication of EP1842931A1 publication Critical patent/EP1842931A1/en
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Publication of EP1842931B1 publication Critical patent/EP1842931B1/en
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Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/74Methods of treatment in inert gas, controlled atmosphere, vacuum or pulverulent material
    • C21D1/767Methods of treatment in inert gas, controlled atmosphere, vacuum or pulverulent material with forced gas circulation; Reheating thereof
    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21DMODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D9/00Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0056Furnaces through which the charge is moved in a horizontal straight path
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27BFURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS IN GENERAL; OPEN SINTERING OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • F27B9/00Furnaces through which the charge is moved mechanically, e.g. of tunnel type; Similar furnaces in which the charge moves by gravity
    • F27B9/30Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of these types
    • F27B9/3005Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of these types arrangements for circulating gases
    • F27B9/3011Details, accessories or equipment specially adapted for furnaces of these types arrangements for circulating gases arrangements for circulating gases transversally
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F27FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
    • F27DDETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
    • F27D7/00Forming, maintaining or circulating atmospheres in heating chambers
    • F27D7/02Supplying steam, vapour, gases or liquids

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein a propellant gas is injected directly into the heat treatment furnace by means of at least one motive nozzle and the treatment atmosphere is circulated in the heat treatment furnace.
  • the treatment atmosphere is circulated by fans to improve the homogeneity of the atmosphere within the furnace. Furthermore, it should be achieved by a faster mass transfer between the furnace atmosphere and the heat treatment. Without circulation of the treatment atmosphere, large inhomogeneities would occur in the treatment atmosphere.
  • a continuous furnace in which by blowing the treatment gas into the cooling section of the continuous furnace a defined gas flow in or against the passage direction of the material to be treated, ie parallel to the longitudinal direction of the furnace is generated.
  • the gas flow is preferably oriented so that the advance of false air at critical points is prevented as possible.
  • Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for heat treatment, which avoids the problems associated with the circulation of the treatment atmosphere by fans as possible.
  • the EP 0 355 520 B1 is, as described above, proposed to improve the heat transfer in the cooling section of a continuous furnace, characterized in that in the cooling section by blowing a treatment gas, a directed gas flow is generated.
  • the workpieces are cooled, for example, from temperatures of about 300 ° C to about 100 ° C. At temperatures below 600 ° C, the convective portion predominates during heat transfer.
  • Proposed process control is enhanced convection and thus achieved an improved cooling.
  • the present invention is directed to the heat treatment of workpieces at temperatures above 600 ° C., preferably above 750 ° C. In these temperature ranges, the heat transfer takes place essentially by radiation. The convection contributes only insignificantly to the improvement of the actual heat transfer.
  • the invention is based on the finding that, under the aspect of mass transfer - ie the thermochemical interaction between the treatment atmosphere and the workpieces - a circulation of the treatment atmosphere, on the other hand, certainly brings advantages.
  • propellant gas is injected into the heat treatment furnace.
  • the Einstrahlorte and the irradiation directions of the various propellant jets are chosen so that the best possible circulation of the treatment atmosphere takes place in the heat treatment furnace.
  • additional measures for circulating the treatment atmosphere can essentially be dispensed with.
  • the propellant is injected according to the invention directly into the heat treatment furnace.
  • the propellant nozzle for feeding the propellant gas are arranged in the side walls or in the roof or the ceiling of the heat treatment furnace and the propellant gas is irradiated directly into the furnace interior.
  • the outlet opening of the motive nozzle ends directly in the heat treatment furnace.
  • the propellant gas is not injected into pipes or pipe sections in which a negative pressure is to be generated in order to suck in treatment atmosphere into the pipe sections according to the water jet pump principle and thereby to achieve a circulation of the treatment atmosphere.
  • the atmosphere is circulated in the heat treatment furnace only by the injected propellant gas.
  • the invention thus represents a largely maintenance-free replacement for the previously conventional fan systems.
  • the maintenance and repair costs can be significantly reduced.
  • the propellant gas is injected substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the heat treatment furnace.
  • the initially mentioned method according to the EP 0 355 520 B1 is only applicable in the cooling zone of the continuous furnace, but not in the actual furnace chamber.
  • the cooling zone is relatively long, but has only a very small transverse extent, so that a longitudinal flow can be well produced.
  • the furnace or treatment room, in which the actual heat treatment takes place, however, is much higher and has numerous installations.
  • the atmosphere in the treatment room has a different composition, in particular a higher viscosity. Because of these factors, it would be difficult to do with the method according to the EP 0 355 520 B1 cause a defined longitudinal flow in the treatment room. Circulation of the atmosphere and reduction or elimination of inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere is not achieved in any case by the orientation of the gas flow proposed in this document.
  • the propellant gas is injected transversely to the furnace longitudinal direction, ie in a continuous furnace transverse to the direction of passage of the workpieces to be treated.
  • the angle between the injection direction of the propellant gas and the furnace longitudinal direction is more than 45 °, more preferably more than 60 °, most preferably more than 80 °.
  • the propellant is injected at high speed, preferably at a rate of more than 50 m / s, more preferably more than the speed of sound, in the heat treatment furnace. Due to the high exit velocity of the propellant gas surrounding the propellant nozzle and the propellant gas atmosphere is entrained and achieved the desired increased circulation and thus elimination of inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere.
  • the motive nozzle is designed so that the ratio of injected propellant gas amount to entrained gas amount is as large as possible, preferably between 1 to 10 and 1 to 60.
  • the propellant gas is particularly preferably injected into the heat treatment furnace such that the ratio of the volumes of circulated treatment atmosphere to the propellant gas introduced is greater than 20, particularly preferably greater than 25.
  • the ratio of the volumes of circulated treatment atmosphere to the propellant gas introduced is greater than 20, particularly preferably greater than 25.
  • the propellant is injected at a pressure between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 2 and 10 bar in the heat treatment furnace. It has been shown that the choice of high pressures also a more uniform distribution of the treatment atmosphere is achieved.
  • Nitrogen has the advantage that, in most treatment atmospheres, it always occurs or has to be added as an inert constituent. The free nitrogen pressure in these cases is used to move the treatment atmosphere.
  • a heat treatment furnace usually has different furnace zones, for example an inlet zone, the actual treatment room in which the material to be treated is exposed under defined conditions to a defined atmosphere, and a cooling and outlet zone.
  • the invention is particularly suitable for circulating the atmosphere in the treatment room of a heat treatment furnace.
  • the invention can be used with advantage in various types of heat treatment furnaces, in particular for the heat treatment of metallic workpieces.
  • a preferred area of application is the defined thermochemical interaction between the furnace atmosphere and the workpieces or the workpiece surface at temperatures above 600 ° C.
  • the use of the invention in a roller hearth furnace has shown that the supplied reaction gases are better utilized and, in particular when changing the composition of the treatment atmosphere, the conversion of the atmosphere takes place faster.
  • higher carbon levels are achieved, the soot formation, in particular the soot accumulation in the form of soot flakes on the workpiece surface, is reduced and the carbon transfer to the workpiece surface is improved.
  • the greater mixing of the atmosphere improves the correlation between the measured carbon level and the actual carbonization effect on the workpieces.
  • drawing agent residues burn better in the front area of the roller hearth furnace.
  • the invention brings advantages.
  • the speed of the retort could be increased and the metered amount per charging process increased, so that the throughput through the rotary kiln could be increased.
  • the process is easy to implement, so existing ovens can be converted quickly.
  • the propellant gas nozzles are arranged so that the propellant jets ejected from them influence each other so that the atmosphere is circulated as well as possible.
  • the hydrocarbon carrier can be injected together with the carrier gas.
  • gaseous hydrocarbon carriers are fed to the heat treatment furnace under low pressure and distributed by means of a propellant gas in the furnace chamber.
  • the hydrocarbon carrier is supplied to the intake region of a propellant nozzle so that it is entrained and swirled by the propellant injected under high pressure and at high speed.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Furnace Details (AREA)
  • Tunnel Furnaces (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Wärmebehandlung von Werkstücken in einem Wärmebehandlungsofen, wobei ein Treibgas mittels mindestens einer Treibdüse direkt in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst wird und die Behandlungsatmosphäre in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen umgewälzt wird.The invention relates to a method for heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein a propellant gas is injected directly into the heat treatment furnace by means of at least one motive nozzle and the treatment atmosphere is circulated in the heat treatment furnace.

In vielen Wärmebehandlungsöfen wird die Behandlungsatmosphäre mit Ventilatoren umgewälzt, um die Homogenität der Atmosphäre innerhalb der Ofenanlage zu verbessern. Desweiteren soll dadurch ein rascherer Stoffaustausch zwischen der Ofenatmosphäre und dem Wärmebehandlungsgut erreicht werden. Ohne Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre würden sich große Inhomogenitäten in der Behandlungsatmosphäre einstellen.In many heat treatment furnaces, the treatment atmosphere is circulated by fans to improve the homogeneity of the atmosphere within the furnace. Furthermore, it should be achieved by a faster mass transfer between the furnace atmosphere and the heat treatment. Without circulation of the treatment atmosphere, large inhomogeneities would occur in the treatment atmosphere.

Betrieb, Wartung und Instandhaltung dieser Ventilatorensysteme verursachen beim Betreiber der Ofenanlage oftmals erhebliche Kosten. Auch können durch Unwuchten an den Ventilatoren in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen Vibrationen hervorgerufen werden, die die Ofenkonstruktion, beispielsweise Muffeln, Retorten, Heizelemente oder die Ausmauerung, schädigen können.Operation, maintenance and repair of these fan systems often cause considerable costs for the operator of the furnace. Also, unbalances on the fans in the heat treatment furnace can cause vibrations that can damage the furnace construction, such as muffles, retorts, heating elements or the brick lining.

Aus der EP 0 355 520 B1 ist ein Durchlaufofen bekannt, bei dem durch Einblasen des Behandlungsgases in die Kühlstrecke des Durchlaufofens eine definierte Gasströmung in oder gegen die Durchlaufrichtung des Behandlungsgutes, d.h. parallel zur Längsrichtung des Ofens, erzeugt wird. Die Gasströmung wird dabei vorzugsweise so ausgerichtet, dass das Vordringen von Falschluft an kritische Stellen möglichst verhindert wird.From the EP 0 355 520 B1 a continuous furnace is known in which by blowing the treatment gas into the cooling section of the continuous furnace a defined gas flow in or against the passage direction of the material to be treated, ie parallel to the longitudinal direction of the furnace is generated. The gas flow is preferably oriented so that the advance of false air at critical points is prevented as possible.

Durch diese bekannte Verfahrensweise wird zwar eine Hauptströmungsrichtung im Ofen hervorgerufen, allerdings keine Umwälzung der Atmosphäre in sich. Das heißt, die Homogenität der Atmosphäre im Ofeninneren wird nicht erhöht. Im Gegenteil, die Gasströmung erzeugt im Ofen gezielt ein Konzentrationsgefälle.Although a main flow direction in the oven is caused by this known procedure, but no circulation of the atmosphere in itself. That is, the homogeneity of the atmosphere inside the furnace is not increased. On the contrary, the gas flow generates a concentration gradient in the furnace.

Aufgabe vorliegender Erfindung ist es daher, ein Verfahren zur Wärmebehandlung aufzuzeigen, welches die mit der Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre durch Ventilatoren verbundenen Probleme möglichst vermeidet.Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method for heat treatment, which avoids the problems associated with the circulation of the treatment atmosphere by fans as possible.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die Merkmale von Anspruch 1 gelöst, wobei die Werkstücke bei einer Temperatur von mehr als 600 °C, bevorzugt mehr als 750 °C, in der Behandlungsatmosphäre wärmebehandelt werden und dass das Treibgas so in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst wird, dass die Behandlungsatmosphäre im Wesentlichen durch das eingedüste Treibgas umgewälzt wird und Inhomogenitäten in der Behandlungsatmosphäre verringert werden,und dass in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen keine Vorrichtungen zur Führung der Behandlungsatmosphäre zu der Treibdüse vorgesehen sind.This object is achieved by the features of claim 1, wherein the workpieces at a temperature of more than 600 ° C, preferably more than 750 ° C, are heat treated in the treatment atmosphere and that the propellant gas is injected into the heat treatment furnace, that the treatment atmosphere is circulated substantially by the injected propellant gas and inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere can be reduced, and that no means are provided in the heat treatment furnace for guiding the treatment atmosphere to the motive nozzle.

In der EP 0 355 520 B1 wird, wie eingangs beschrieben, vorgeschlagen, die Wärmeübertragung in der Kühlstrecke eines Durchlaufofens dadurch zu verbessern, dass in der Kühlstrecke durch Einblasen eines Behandlungsgases eine gerichtete Gasströmung erzeugt wird. Dabei werden die Werkstücke beispielsweise von Temperaturen um etwa 300 °C auf etwa 100 °C abgekühlt. Bei Temperaturen unter 600°C überwiegt bei der Wärmeübertragung der konvektive Anteil. Durch die in der EP 0 355 520 B1 vorgeschlagene Verfahrensführung wird die Konvektion verstärkt und so eine verbesserte Abkühlung erreicht.In the EP 0 355 520 B1 is, as described above, proposed to improve the heat transfer in the cooling section of a continuous furnace, characterized in that in the cooling section by blowing a treatment gas, a directed gas flow is generated. The workpieces are cooled, for example, from temperatures of about 300 ° C to about 100 ° C. At temperatures below 600 ° C, the convective portion predominates during heat transfer. By in the EP 0 355 520 B1 Proposed process control is enhanced convection and thus achieved an improved cooling.

Die vorliegende Erfindung ist dagegen auf die Wärmebehandlung von Werkstücken bei Temperaturen oberhalb von 600 °C, bevorzugt oberhalb 750 °C, gerichtet. In diesen Temperaturbereichen erfolgt die Wärmeübertragung im Wesentlichen durch Strahlung. Die Konvektion trägt nur unwesentlich zur Verbesserung der eigentlichen Wärmeübertragung bei.By contrast, the present invention is directed to the heat treatment of workpieces at temperatures above 600 ° C., preferably above 750 ° C. In these temperature ranges, the heat transfer takes place essentially by radiation. The convection contributes only insignificantly to the improvement of the actual heat transfer.

Unter Wärmeübertragungsgesichtspunkten ist daher eine verstärkte Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre nicht erforderlich. Der Erfindung liegt nun die Erkenntnis zugrunde, dass unter dem Aspekt der Stoffübertragung - also der thermochemischen Interaktion zwischen der Behandlungsatmosphäre und den Werkstücken - eine Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre dagegen durchaus Vorteile bringt.From a heat transfer point of view, therefore, an increased circulation of the treatment atmosphere is not required. The invention is based on the finding that, under the aspect of mass transfer - ie the thermochemical interaction between the treatment atmosphere and the workpieces - a circulation of the treatment atmosphere, on the other hand, certainly brings advantages.

Mittels Hochgeschwindigkeitseindüsung eines Treibgases kann eine intensive Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre und eine verbesserte Vermischung aller Komponenten der Behandlungsatmosphäre erzielt werden. Die verschiedenen reaktionsbereiten Medien in der Behandlungsatmosphäre können so schneller ihre Reaktionspartner finden und die Wärmebehandlung läuft schneller und gleichmäßiger ab. Durch die erfindungsgemäße Erhöhung der Geschwindigkeit der Behandlungsatmosphäre an der Werkstückoberfläche wird die Intensität des Stoffaustausches verstärkt. US 4354827 , US 4191525 oder US 5795146 erwähnen Verfahren und Vorrichtungen zum Umwälzen, Vermischen und/oder Zwangsführen der Behandlungsatmosphäre ohne oder mit einfachen Einbauten EP 075438 A1 erwähnt die gleichzeitige Einführung von Methanol mit Stickstoff als Treibgas in den Rollenherdofen.By means of high-speed injection of a propellant gas, an intensive circulation of the treatment atmosphere and an improved mixing of all components of the treatment atmosphere can be achieved. The different reaction-ready media in the treatment atmosphere can thus find their reactants faster and the heat treatment is faster and more uniform. The inventive increase in the speed of the treatment atmosphere on the workpiece surface, the intensity of the mass transfer is enhanced. US 4354827 . US 4191525 or US 5795146 mention methods and devices for circulating, mixing and / or force the treatment atmosphere without or with simple installations EP 075438 A1 mentions the simultaneous introduction of methanol with nitrogen as a propellant in the roller hearth furnace.

Erfindungsgemäß wird in den Wärmebehandlungsofen Treibgas eingestrahlt. Die Einstrahlorte und die Einstrahlrichtungen der verschiedenen Treibgasstrahlen werden so gewählt, dass eine möglichst gute Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen stattfindet. Bei geeigneter Anordnung der für die Einstrahlung des Treibgases vorgesehenen Treibgasdüsen kann auf zusätzliche Maßnahmen zur Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre im Wesentlichen verzichtet werden.According to the invention, propellant gas is injected into the heat treatment furnace. The Einstrahlorte and the irradiation directions of the various propellant jets are chosen so that the best possible circulation of the treatment atmosphere takes place in the heat treatment furnace. With a suitable arrangement of the propellant gas nozzles provided for the irradiation of the propellant gas, additional measures for circulating the treatment atmosphere can essentially be dispensed with.

Das Treibgas wird erfindungsgemäß direkt in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst. Die Treibdüse zur Einspeisung des Treibgases sind in den Seitenwänden oder im Dach bzw. der Decke des Wärmebehandlungsofens angeordnet und das Treibgas wird direkt in das Ofeninnere eingestrahlt. Die Austrittsöffnung der Treibdüse endet direkt im Wärmebehandlungsofen. Zur Umrüstung eines bestehenden Ofens sind nur die Treibdüsen an geeigneten Stellen in den Wänden bzw. der Decke des Ofens anzubringen und mit dem Treibgas zu beaufschlagen.The propellant is injected according to the invention directly into the heat treatment furnace. The propellant nozzle for feeding the propellant gas are arranged in the side walls or in the roof or the ceiling of the heat treatment furnace and the propellant gas is irradiated directly into the furnace interior. The outlet opening of the motive nozzle ends directly in the heat treatment furnace. To retrofit an existing furnace only the motive nozzles are to be installed at suitable places in the walls or the ceiling of the furnace and to pressurize the propellant gas.

Im Ofeninneren sind keine Einbauten oder Vorrichtungen zur Zwangsführung der Behandlungsatmosphäre in Richtung der Treibdüse(n) vorgesehen. Insbesondere wird das Treibgas nicht in Rohre oder Rohrstücke eingedüst, in denen ein Unterdruck erzeugt werden soll, um nach dem Wasserstrahlpumpen-Prinzip Behandlungsatmosphäre in die Rohrstücke einzusaugen und dadurch eine Umwälzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre zu erzielen.In the interior of the oven no internals or devices for positive guidance of the treatment atmosphere in the direction of the motive nozzle (s) are provided. In particular, the propellant gas is not injected into pipes or pipe sections in which a negative pressure is to be generated in order to suck in treatment atmosphere into the pipe sections according to the water jet pump principle and thereby to achieve a circulation of the treatment atmosphere.

Im Rahmen der Erfindung wurde erkannt, dass durch Eindüsung des Treibgases mit hoher Geschwindigkeit ein Strömungsprofil erzeugt werden kann, welches große Mengen an Behandlungsatmosphäre ansaugt, mitreißt und umwälzt. Es ist daher erfindungsgemäß nicht notwendig, aufwändige Installationen in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen vorzusehen. Bereits bestehende Wärmebehandlungsöfen können daher auf einfache Weise auf das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren umgestellt werden.In the context of the invention it has been recognized that by injection of the propellant gas at high speed, a flow profile can be produced, which sucks large quantities of treatment atmosphere, entrains and circulates. It is therefore not necessary according to the invention, consuming installations in the To provide heat treatment furnace. Existing heat treatment furnaces can therefore be easily converted to the inventive method.

Die Atmosphäre wird in dem Wärmebehandlungsofen nur durch das eingedüste Treibgas umgewälzt. Auf Ventilatoren, wie sie bisher zu diesem Zweck eingesetzt werden, kann verzichtet werden. Die Erfindung stellt damit einen weitgehend wartungsfreien Ersatz für die bisher üblichen Ventilatorsysteme dar. Die Wartungs- und Instandhaltungskosten können wesentlich abgesenkt werden.The atmosphere is circulated in the heat treatment furnace only by the injected propellant gas. On fans, as they are previously used for this purpose, can be dispensed with. The invention thus represents a largely maintenance-free replacement for the previously conventional fan systems. The maintenance and repair costs can be significantly reduced.

Von Vorteil wird das Treibgas im Wesentlichen quer zur Längsrichtung des Wärmebehandlungsofens eingedüst. Das eingangs erwähnte Verfahren gemäß der EP 0 355 520 B1 ist nur in der Kühlzone des Durchlaufofens, dagegen nicht im eigentlichen Ofenraum anwendbar. Die Kühlzone ist relativ lang, hat aber nur eine sehr geringe Querausdehnung, so dass eine Längsströmung gut erzeugt werden kann. Der Ofen- oder Behandlungsraum, in dem die eigentliche Wärmebehandlung stattfindet, ist dagegen wesentlich höher und besitzt zahlreiche Einbauten. Zudem hat die Atmosphäre im Behandlungsraum eine andere Zusammensetzung, insbesondere eine höhere Viskosität. Aufgrund dieser Faktoren wäre es nur schwer möglich, mit dem Verfahren gemäß der EP 0 355 520 B1 im Behandlungsraum eine definierte Längsströmung hervorzurufen. Eine Umwälzung der Atmosphäre und Verringerung bzw. Beseitigung von Inhomogenitäten in der Behandlungsatmosphäre wird durch die in diesem Dokument vorgeschlagene Ausrichtung der Gasströmung ohnehin nicht erreicht.Advantageously, the propellant gas is injected substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the heat treatment furnace. The initially mentioned method according to the EP 0 355 520 B1 is only applicable in the cooling zone of the continuous furnace, but not in the actual furnace chamber. The cooling zone is relatively long, but has only a very small transverse extent, so that a longitudinal flow can be well produced. The furnace or treatment room, in which the actual heat treatment takes place, however, is much higher and has numerous installations. In addition, the atmosphere in the treatment room has a different composition, in particular a higher viscosity. Because of these factors, it would be difficult to do with the method according to the EP 0 355 520 B1 cause a defined longitudinal flow in the treatment room. Circulation of the atmosphere and reduction or elimination of inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere is not achieved in any case by the orientation of the gas flow proposed in this document.

Von Vorteil wird daher das Treibgas quer zur Ofenlängsrichtung, d.h. bei einem Durchlaufofen quer zur Durchlaufrichtung der zu behandelnden Werkstücke, eingedüst. Bevorzugt beträgt der Winkel zwischen der Eindüsrichtung des Treibgases und der Ofenlängsrichtung mehr als 45°, besonders bevorzugt mehr als 60°, ganz besonders bevorzugt mehr als 80°. Auf diese Weise werden Atmosphärenumwälzungen hervorgerufen, die sich nicht über den gesamten Innenraum des Wärmebehandlungsofens erstrecken, sondern auf bestimmte Teilbereiche beschränkt sind. In diesen Teilbereichen wird eine weitgehend homogene Atmosphäre erzeugt und, aufgrund der Umwälzung, die Wechselwirkung zwischen dem Behandlungsgut und der Atmosphäre verstärkt.Advantageously, therefore, the propellant gas is injected transversely to the furnace longitudinal direction, ie in a continuous furnace transverse to the direction of passage of the workpieces to be treated. Preferably, the angle between the injection direction of the propellant gas and the furnace longitudinal direction is more than 45 °, more preferably more than 60 °, most preferably more than 80 °. In this way, atmospheric revolutions are caused that do not extend over the entire interior of the heat treatment furnace, but are limited to certain sub-areas. In these subregions, a largely homogeneous atmosphere is generated and, due to the circulation, the interaction between the material to be treated and the atmosphere intensified.

Es hat sich gezeigt, dass auch bei Winkeln zwischen 15 und 40°, bevorzugt zwischen 20 und 35°, besonders bevorzugt zwischen 25 und 30°, bei geeigneter Anordnung der Treibdüsen eine gute Umwälzung der Ofenatmosphäre erzielt werden kann.It has been shown that even with angles between 15 and 40 °, preferably between 20 and 35 °, particularly preferably between 25 and 30 °, with a suitable arrangement of the motive nozzles, a good circulation of the furnace atmosphere can be achieved.

Von Vorteil wird das Treibgas mit hoher Geschwindigkeit, bevorzugt mit einer Geschwindigkeit von mehr als 50 m/s, besonders bevorzugt mehr als Schallgeschwindigkeit, in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst. Durch die hohe Austrittsgeschwindigkeit des Treibgases wird die die Treibgasdüse und den Treibgasstrahl umgebende Atmosphäre mitgerissen und die gewünschte verstärkte Umwälzung und damit Beseitigung von Inhomogenitäten in der Behandlungsatmosphäre erzielt.Advantageously, the propellant is injected at high speed, preferably at a rate of more than 50 m / s, more preferably more than the speed of sound, in the heat treatment furnace. Due to the high exit velocity of the propellant gas surrounding the propellant nozzle and the propellant gas atmosphere is entrained and achieved the desired increased circulation and thus elimination of inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere.

Vorzugsweise wird die Treibdüse so ausgelegt, dass das Verhältnis von eingedüster Treibgasmenge zu mitgerissener Gasmenge möglichst groß wird, vorzugsweise zwischen 1 zu 10 und 1 zu 60 liegt. Besonders bevorzugt wird das Treibgas so in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst, dass das Verhältnis der Volumina von umgewälzter Behandlungsatmosphäre zu eingebrachtem Treibgas größer als 20, besonders bevorzugt größer als 25 ist. So lassen sich beispielsweise bei einem Rollenherdofen mitttels nur vier erfindungsgemäßen Treibdüsen, die jeweils 10 Nm3/h Treibgas beaufschlagt werden, mehr als 1000 m3/h Behandlungsatmosphäre umwälzen.Preferably, the motive nozzle is designed so that the ratio of injected propellant gas amount to entrained gas amount is as large as possible, preferably between 1 to 10 and 1 to 60. The propellant gas is particularly preferably injected into the heat treatment furnace such that the ratio of the volumes of circulated treatment atmosphere to the propellant gas introduced is greater than 20, particularly preferably greater than 25. Thus, for example, in a roller hearth furnace by means of only four driving nozzles according to the invention, which are each subjected to 10 Nm 3 / h of propellant gas, more than 1000 m 3 / h of treatment atmosphere can be circulated.

In einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform wird das Treibgas mit einem Druck zwischen 2 und 20 bar, bevorzugt zwischen 2 und 10 bar in den Wärmebehandlungsofen eingedüst. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass durch die Wahl hoher Drücke ebenfalls eine gleichmäßigere Verteilung der Behandlungsatmosphäre erreicht wird.In a preferred embodiment, the propellant is injected at a pressure between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 2 and 10 bar in the heat treatment furnace. It has been shown that the choice of high pressures also a more uniform distribution of the treatment atmosphere is achieved.

Ebenso hat sich eine gepulste Einbringung des Treibgases bewährt.Likewise, a pulsed introduction of the propellant gas has proven itself.

Als Treibgas wird von Vorteil gasförmiger Stickstoff verwendet. Stickstoff hat den Vorteil, dass dieser in den meisten Behandlungsatmosphären ohnehin als inerter Bestandteil vorkommt oder zugeführt werden muss. Der in diesen Fällen kostenfrei vorliegende Stickstoffdruck wird zur Bewegung der Behandlungsatmosphäre genutzt.As a propellant gas is advantageously used nitrogen. Nitrogen has the advantage that, in most treatment atmospheres, it always occurs or has to be added as an inert constituent. The free nitrogen pressure in these cases is used to move the treatment atmosphere.

Grundsätzlich ist es aber auch möglich, Luft als Treibgas einzudüsen. Hierbei ist darauf zu achten, dass die eingedüste Luftmenge in einem sinnvollen Verhältnis zur Gesamtmenge an Schutzgas sowie den anderen zugeführten Medien, beispielsweise Kohlenwasserstoffen, steht.In principle, it is also possible to inject air as a propellant gas. It is important to ensure that the injected air volume in a meaningful ratio to the total amount of inert gas and the other supplied media, such as hydrocarbons, is.

Ein Wärmebehandlungsofen weist in der Regel verschiedene Ofenzonen auf, beispielsweise eine Einlaufzone, den eigentlichen Behandlungsraum, in dem das Behandlungsgut unter definierten Bedingungen einer definierten Atmosphäre ausgesetzt wird, und eine Kühl- und Auslaufzone. Die Erfindung eignet sich insbesondere, um die Atmosphäre im Behandlungsraum eines Wärmebehandlungsofens umzuwälzen.A heat treatment furnace usually has different furnace zones, for example an inlet zone, the actual treatment room in which the material to be treated is exposed under defined conditions to a defined atmosphere, and a cooling and outlet zone. The invention is particularly suitable for circulating the atmosphere in the treatment room of a heat treatment furnace.

Die Erfindung kann mit Vorteil in unterschiedlichsten Arten von Wärmebehandlungsöfen, insbesondere zur Wärmebehandlung von metallischen Werkstücken, eingesetzt werden. Vorzugsweiser Einsatzbereich ist die definierte thermochemische Interaktion zwischen der Ofenatmosphäre und den Werkstücken bzw. der Werkstückoberfläche bei Temperaturen oberhalb von 600 °C.The invention can be used with advantage in various types of heat treatment furnaces, in particular for the heat treatment of metallic workpieces. A preferred area of application is the defined thermochemical interaction between the furnace atmosphere and the workpieces or the workpiece surface at temperatures above 600 ° C.

Der Einsatz der Erfindung in einem Rollenherdofen hat gezeigt, dass die zugeführten Reaktionsgase besser ausgenutzt werden und insbesondere bei einem Wechsel der Zusammensetzung der Behandlungsatmosphäre die Umstellung der Atmosphäre schneller erfolgt. Erfindungsgemäß werden höhere Kohlenstoffpegel erreicht, die Rußbildung, insbesondere der Rußanfall in Form von Rußflocken auf der Werkstückoberfläche, wird reduziert und die Kohlenstoffübertragung an der Werkstückoberfläche verbessert. Durch die stärkere Vermischung der Atmosphäre wird die Korrelation zwischen dem gemessenen Kohlenstoffpegel und der tatsächlichen Kohlungswirkung an den Werkstücken verbessert. Zudem hat sich gezeigt, dass Ziehmittelrückstände im vorderen Bereich des Rollenherdofens besser abbrennen.The use of the invention in a roller hearth furnace has shown that the supplied reaction gases are better utilized and, in particular when changing the composition of the treatment atmosphere, the conversion of the atmosphere takes place faster. According to the invention, higher carbon levels are achieved, the soot formation, in particular the soot accumulation in the form of soot flakes on the workpiece surface, is reduced and the carbon transfer to the workpiece surface is improved. The greater mixing of the atmosphere improves the correlation between the measured carbon level and the actual carbonization effect on the workpieces. In addition, it has been shown that drawing agent residues burn better in the front area of the roller hearth furnace.

Ferner wurden Versuche an einem Topfofen durchgeführt. Hierzu wurde eine Charge an Werkstücken zum Vergleich in einem Topfofen mit herkömmlichem Ventilator bei 930 °C, eine zweite Charge mittels des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens mit Treibgaseindüsung behandelt. Der Topfofeninnenraum hatte eine Größe von etwa 900 mm Durchmesser und eine Höhe von 2000 mm. Die Treibdüsen wurden im oberen Bereich des Topfofens in Umfangsrichtung orientiert angeordnet und zur Horizontalen geneigt.Furthermore, experiments were carried out on a pot furnace. For this purpose, a batch of workpieces for comparison in a pot furnace with conventional fan at 930 ° C, a second batch was treated by means of the method according to the invention with propellant gas injection. The pot furnace interior had a size of about 900 mm in diameter and a height of 2000 mm. The motive nozzles were in the upper Area of the pot furnace oriented in the circumferential direction and inclined to the horizontal.

Der Vergleich der Versuche am Topfofen ergab, dass die Geschwindigkeit der Behandlungsatmosphäre bei Verwendung der erfindungsgemäßen Treibgasinjektion gleichmäßiger ist als bei Verwendung des Ventilators. Die Rußbildung wurde erfindungsgemäß wesentlich reduziert. Die Aufkohlung erfolgte gleichmäßiger.The comparison of the experiments on the pot furnace showed that the speed of the treatment atmosphere when using the propellant gas injection according to the invention is more uniform than when using the fan. The soot formation was substantially reduced according to the invention. The carburization was more uniform.

Auch in Drehrohröfen bringt die Erfindung Vorteile. So konnte in Versuchen die Retortendrehzahl angehoben und die Dosiermenge pro Chargiervorgang erhöht werden, so dass der Durchsatz durch den Drehrohrofen gesteigert werden konnte. Das Verfahren ist einfach zu implementieren, so dass bestehende Öfen schnell umgerüstet werden können.Even in rotary kilns, the invention brings advantages. Thus, in trials, the speed of the retort could be increased and the metered amount per charging process increased, so that the throughput through the rotary kiln could be increased. The process is easy to implement, so existing ovens can be converted quickly.

Vorzugsweise werden die Treibgasdüsen so angeordnet, dass sich die von diesen ausgestoßenen Treibgasstrahlen gegenseitig so beeinflussen, dass die Atmosphäre möglichst gut umgewälzt wird.Preferably, the propellant gas nozzles are arranged so that the propellant jets ejected from them influence each other so that the atmosphere is circulated as well as possible.

Der Kohlenwasserstoffträger kann gemeinsam mit dem Trägergas eingedüst.The hydrocarbon carrier can be injected together with the carrier gas.

Insbesondere gasförmige Kohlenwasserstoffträger werden dem Wärmebehandlungsofen unter niedrigem Druck zugeführt und mittels eines Treibgases im Ofenraum verteilt. Hierzu wird der Kohlenwasserstoffträger so im Einsaugbereich einer Treibgasdüse zugeführt, dass dieser von dem unter hohem Druck und mit hoher Geschwindigkeit eingedüsten Treibgas mitgerissen und verwirbelt wird.In particular gaseous hydrocarbon carriers are fed to the heat treatment furnace under low pressure and distributed by means of a propellant gas in the furnace chamber. For this purpose, the hydrocarbon carrier is supplied to the intake region of a propellant nozzle so that it is entrained and swirled by the propellant injected under high pressure and at high speed.

Claims (9)

  1. Method for heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein a propellant is injected directly into the heat treatment furnace by means of at least one propellant nozzle, and the treatment atmosphere is circulated in the heat treatment furnace, wherein the workpieces are heat treated in the treatment atmosphere at a temperature of more than 600°C, preferably more than 750°C, and the propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in such a manner that the treatment atmosphere is substantially circulated by the injected propellant and inhomogeneities in the treatment atmosphere are reduced, characterized in that a gaseous hydrocarbon carrier is supplied to the suction region of the propellant nozzle under low pressure and is distributed in the heat treatment furnace by means of the propellant, and in that no devices for the guidance or forced guidance of the treatment atmosphere to the propellant nozzle or in the direction of the propellant nozzle are provided in the interior of the heat treatment furnace.
  2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the treatment atmosphere is circulated only by means of the injected propellant.
  3. Method according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the propellant is injected substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the heat treatment furnace.
  4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace at a speed of more than 50 m/s, preferably more than the speed of sound.
  5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace at a pressure of between 2 and 20 bar, preferably between 2 and 10 bar.
  6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in a pulsed manner.
  7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that nitrogen is injected as propellant into the heat treatment furnace.
  8. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in such a manner that the ratio of volumes of circulated treatment atmosphere to introduced propellant is greater than 10, preferably greater than 20, particularly preferably greater than 25.
  9. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the workpieces are heat treated in a roller hearth furnace.
EP07006603.0A 2006-04-04 2007-03-29 Method for heat treatment Active EP1842931B1 (en)

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DE200610015739 DE102006015739A1 (en) 2006-04-04 2006-04-04 Process for heat treatment
EP06015702A EP1842930A1 (en) 2006-04-04 2006-07-27 Process for heat treatment
EP07006603.0A EP1842931B1 (en) 2006-04-04 2007-03-29 Method for heat treatment

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DE102008009818A1 (en) 2008-02-19 2009-08-20 Linde Ag Thermally treating steel materials with inert gas, comprises producing inert gas atmosphere in chamber of heat treatment furnace by fluidized carbon dust, and introducing material in furnace chamber and then subjecting to thermal treatment
DE102009041927B4 (en) * 2009-09-17 2015-08-06 Hanomag Härtecenter GmbH Process for low-pressure carburizing of metallic workpieces

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US4191525A (en) * 1978-03-30 1980-03-04 N L Industries, Inc. Aspiration circulation system and method
US4354827A (en) * 1981-04-17 1982-10-19 Midland-Ross Corporation Process and device for improving heat exchange in furnaces heated by radiant heaters
EP0075438B1 (en) * 1981-09-19 1987-12-16 BOC Limited Heat treatment of metals
DE3828134A1 (en) * 1988-08-18 1990-02-22 Linde Ag METHOD FOR THE HEAT TREATMENT OF WORKPIECES
US5795146A (en) * 1996-05-23 1998-08-18 Btu International, Inc. Furnace chamber having eductor to enhance thermal processing
ES1040244Y (en) * 1998-05-12 1999-07-16 Plana Querol Joaquin CONTINUOUS LONGITUDINAL OVEN APPLICABLE TO CONSTRUCTION CERAMICS.

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