WO2022008599A1 - Device and method for water spray quenching - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for water spray quenching, comprising – a quenching chamber, designed and set up to receive metallic workpieces, with a batch volume V0 of 0.045 to 3.5 m3; and – at least one atomiser, which is configured to atomise water in air or nitrogen and is fluidically connected to the quenching chamber; wherein the at least one atomiser and the device are designed and set up to generate a spray mist with a water content of 2.5 to 40 vol.% and a Sauter mean diameter of 20 to 2000 µm and also a spray mist flow through the batch volume V0 of 0.05 to 25 m3/s.

Description

Apparatus and method for water spray quenching

The present invention relates to a device and a method for quenching metallic workpieces after a thermochemical treatment, such as carburizing or carbonitriding, and comprises at least one atomizer designed and set up for atomizing water in air or nitrogen and a quenching chamber fluidically connected to the atomizer.

Devices for quenching metallic workpieces after a thermochemical treatment are known in the prior art. DE 102007 023 089 A1 describes a method for quenching metallic workpieces after inductive hardening, in which water is atomized in air or nitrogen using one or more two-component nozzles and sprayed onto a metallic workpiece. The cooling rate is varied by dynamic control of the gas and water volume flow and the cooling curve of the workpiece is adapted to the specified values. Spatial fluctuations in the cooling rate are compensated for by a relative movement of the workpiece or the two-component nozzles. Conventionally, thermochemically treated workpieces are quenched in a bath of water, aqueous polymer solution or oil, or in a gas stream at a pressure of 5 to 20 bar. Cooling baths made of oil or aqueous polymer solution have a significant impact on the environment. During water bath quenching, an insulating vapor layer forms which initially slows cooling and anisotropically collapses, causing uneven cooling, case depth and stresses in the workpiece surface. In contrast, relatively uniform cooling is achieved with gas quenching. However, the investment in technical equipment for gas quenching is high and

Amount of the cooling rate has an upper limit.

Therefore, since about 1960, developments have been made in deterrents using water spray and water spray or water atomization. Despite numerous efforts - apart from isolated applications in the steel industry - quenching by means of a water shower or water spray has not established itself in thermochemical treatment practice. The reasons for this appear to be excessive water requirements and uneven wetting when using a water shower and to a lesser extent with water spray quenching.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the existing problems and to provide an apparatus suitable for industrial use for the water spray quenching of thermochemically treated metallic workpieces. This object is achieved by a water spray quench apparatus comprising

- a quenching chamber designed and equipped for receiving metallic workpieces with a charge volume V ₀ of 0.045 to 3.5 m ³ ; and

- at least one atomizer configured for atomizing water into air or nitrogen and fluidly connected to the quench chamber; wherein the at least one atomizer and the device are designed and set up to generate a spray mist with a water content of 2.5% by volume to 40% by volume and a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm and a spray mist flow through the charge volume V ₀ of 0.05 m ³ /s to 25 m ³ /s or to circulate the spray mist in the charge volume V ₀ with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s.

Expedient embodiments of the device according to the invention are characterized by the following features in any combination, insofar as the features are not mutually exclusive, and according to which:

- 0.045 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.4 m ³ , 0.2 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.6 m ³ , 0.4 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.8 m ³ ,

0.6 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 1 m ³ , 0.8 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 1, m ³ or 1 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 1.5 m ³ ;

- 0.045 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.2 m ³ , 0.1 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.3 m ³ , 0.2 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 0.4 m ³ ,

0.3 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 0.5 ₀ m ^3, 0.4 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 0.6 ₀ m ^3, 0.5 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 0.7 ₀ m ^3,

0.6 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 0.8 ₀ m ^3, 0.7 m ³ ≤ V ≤ ₀ 0.9 m ³ 0.8 m ³ ≤ V ≤ ₀ 1 m ^3,

0.9 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 1.1 ₀ ³ m, 1 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 1.2 ₀ m ^3, 1.1 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 1.3 ₀ m ^3,

1.2 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 1.4 m ³ or 1.3 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 1.5 m ³ ;

1.0 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 2.0 m ³ , 1.5 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 2.5 m ³ , 2.0 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 3.0 m or

2.5 m ³ ≤ V ≤ 3.5 ₀ m ^3;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a width of 40 cm to 80 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a depth of 40 cm to 120 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a height of 10 cm to 80 cm;

- the batch volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 cm to

has 120 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a height of 10 cm to 80 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a width of 40 cm to 150 cm; the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a depth of 40 cm to 150 cm; the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a height of 10 cm to 150 cm; - the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 cm to 200 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a height of 10 cm to 150 cm;

- the at least one atomizer 3 to 20, 10 to 30, 20 to 40, 30 to 50 or 40 to 60

atomizing nozzles;

- the at least one atomizer 3 to 10, 5 to 15, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 20 to 30,

25 to 35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55 or 50 to 60 atomizing nozzles;

- The at least one atomizer is designed and set up for this purpose

Spray mist with a water content of 2.5 to 20% by volume, 10 to 30% by volume or

to produce 20 to 40% by volume;

- The at least one atomizer is designed and set up for this purpose

Spray mist with a water content of 2.5 to 15% by volume, 10 to 20% by volume,

15 to 25% by volume, 20 to 30% by volume, 25 to 35% by volume or 30 to 40% by volume;

- the at least one atomizer is designed and set up ^{to generate 0.05 to 25 m 3} /s spray;

- the at least one atomizer is designed and set up for this, 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s,

0.2 to 0.4 m ³ / s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0, 6 to 0.8 m ³ / s,

to generate 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ /s or 0.8 to 1 m ³ /s spray;

- the at least one atomizer is designed and set up for this, 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s,

1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to to generate 9 m ³ /s or 9 to 10 m ³ /s spray;

- the at least one atomizer is designed and set up for this, 0.05 to 4 m ³ /s,

2 to 6 ^m3 /s, 4 to 8 ^m3 /s, 6 to 10 ^m3 /s, 8 to 12 ^m3 /s, 10 to 14 ^m3 /s, 12 to 16 ^m3 /s,

to produce 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s spray;

- the device is designed and set up to ensure a spray flow through the

Charge volume V ₀ from 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s, 10 to 20 m ³ /s or

to generate 15 to 25 m ³ /s; - the device is designed and set up to ensure a spray flow through the

charge volume V ₀ from 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ /s,

0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0, 8 to ^1m3 /s,

0.9 to 1.1 m ³ /s, 1 to 1.2 m ³ /s, 1.1 to 1.3 m ³ /s, 1.2 to 1.4 m ³ /s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s,

1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1.6 to 1.8 m ³ / s, 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ / s or 1, to generate 8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up to ensure a spray flow through the

charge volume V ₀ from 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s,

to generate 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s;

- the device is constructed and arranged for a spray mist flow through the batch volume V ₀ of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s , 12 to 16 m ³ /s, 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up to spray the spray in the charge volume V ₀ with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s, 10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to circulate up to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up for the spray mist in the charge volume V ₀ with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s,

0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0.8 to 1 m ³ / s, 0.9 to 1.1 m ³ / s, from 1 to 1.2 m ³ / s, 1.1 to 1, 3 m ³ / s,

1.2 to 1.4 m ³ / s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1, 6 to 1.8 m ³ / s,

to circulate 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and arranged to spray in the batch volume V ₀ having a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m ³ / s, from 1 to 3 m ³ / s, 2 to 4 m ³ / s, 3 to circulate up to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up for this purpose, the spray mist in the charge volume Vo with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s, 12 to 16 m ³ /s, 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and arranged to generate ^{a spray throughput of 0.05 to 25 m 3} /s between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber;

- the device is designed and set up for a spray throughput of 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ / s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0, to generate 6 to 0.8 m ³ /s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ /s or 0.8 to 1 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up for a spray throughput of 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 9 to 10 m ³ /s;

- the device is designed and set up for a spray throughput of 0.05 to 4 m ³ /s, 2 to 6 m ³ /s, 4 to 8 m ³ /s, 6 to 10 m between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber ³ /s, 8 to 12 ^m3 /s, 10 to 14 ^m3 /s, 12 to 16 ^m3 /s, 14 to 18 ^m3 /s, 16 to 20 ^m3 /s, 18 to 22 ^m3 / s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer nozzles;

- one or more atomizing nozzles comprise a swirl insert;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more water control valves;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more gas control valves;

- The device comprises a fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer water pressure tank;

- The device comprises a fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer gas pressure container;

- The device comprises a fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer or the water pressure tank water pump;

the device comprises a blower or compressor fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer or the gas pressure container;

- the device comprises a fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer water pump;

- the device comprises a fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer blower or compressor;

- the device comprises a first and second atomizer, each with 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles;

- the device comprises a first and second nebulizer with respectively 3 to 10, 3 to 15, 10 to 20, 15 to 25, 20 to 30, 25 to 35, 30 to 40, 35 to 45, 40 to 50, 45 to 55 or 50 to 60 atomizing nozzles; - the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently of each other with the reference axis at an angle of

includes 0 to 20 degrees and a longitudinal axis of each atomizing nozzle of the second atomizer independently includes an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer independently of each other with the reference axis at an angle of

Includes 0 to 30 degrees and a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the second atomizer independently with the reference axis at an angle of

includes 150 to 180 degrees;

- the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced from each other along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first

Atomizer independently with the reference axis at an angle of

includes 0 to 45 degrees and a longitudinal axis of each atomizing nozzle of the second atomizer independently includes an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the reference axis; - the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced apart from one another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer being independent one from the other encloses an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the vertical reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each atomizing nozzle of the second atomizer encloses an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis independently of one another; - the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced apart from one another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer being independent one from the other encloses an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the vertical reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each atomizing nozzle of the second atomizer encloses an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis independently of one another;

- the apparatus comprises a first and second atomizer each having from 3 to 60 atomizer nozzles, the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer being arranged in the quenching chamber and spaced apart from one another along a vertical reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each atomizer nozzle of the first atomizer being independent each other encloses an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the vertical reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each atomizing nozzle of the second atomizer independently encloses an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;

- a minimum distance between the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer is 10 to 150 cm;

- a minimum distance between the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer is 10 to 100 cm or 70 to 150 cm;

- a minimum distance between the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer and the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer 10-30 cm, 20-40 cm, 30-50 cm, 40-60 cm, 50-70 cm, 60-80 cm, 70-90 cm , 80 to 100 cm, 90 to 110 cm, 100 to 120 cm, 110 to 130 cm, 120 to 140 cm or 130 to 150 cm;

- Outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a first horizontal plane;

- Outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a second horizontal plane;

- outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a second horizontal plane and the quenching device comprises a charge carrier receptacle arranged in the vertical direction between the first and second horizontal planes;

- Outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer in a second horizontal plane, the quenching device comprises first and second seats for first and second charge carriers, and the first and second seats are arranged in the vertical direction between the first and second horizontal planes;

- the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional regular grid;

- The atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional regular grid;

- The atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional rectangular grid;

- The atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional rectangular grid;

- The atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional, hexagonal grid;

- the atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are arranged in a two-dimensional, hexagonal grid;

- The atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed and configured in the same way;

- The atomizer nozzles of the second atomizer are designed and configured in the same way;

- the atomizing nozzles of the first atomizer are adapted, configured and spatially arranged to uniformly impinge water spray over ^{a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m 2 ;}

- the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are adapted, configured and spatially arranged to uniformly impinge water spray over ^{a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m 2 ;}

- the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to ^{apply water spray to a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m 2 in} such a way that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value from 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z with 0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m/s; - the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to ^{apply water spray to a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m 2 in} such a way that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value from 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z with 0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 15 m/s, 10 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 25 m/s or 20 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m/s;

- the atomizer nozzles of the first atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to ^{apply water spray to a horizontal area of 0.16 to 2.25 m 2 in} such a way that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value from 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z has with

0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 4 m/s, 2 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 6 m/s 4 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 8 m/s, 6 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 10 m /s, 8 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 12 m/s, 10 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 14 m/s 12 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 16 m/s, 14 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 18 m/s, 16 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 20 m/s, 18 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 22 m/s, 20 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 24 m/s, 22 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 26 m/s, 24 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 28 m/s, 26 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 30 m/s, 28 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 32 m/s or 30 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m/s;

- the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to impinge a horizontal surface of 0.16 to 2.25 m ² with water spray such that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value of 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z with 0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m/s;

- the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to impinge a horizontal surface of 0.16 to 2.25 m ² with water spray such that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value of 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z with 0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 15 m/s, 10 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 25 m/s or 20 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m /s;

- the atomizing nozzles of the second atomizer are designed, configured and spatially arranged to impinge a horizontal surface of 0.16 to 2.25 m ² with water spray such that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray has a value of 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z with 0.5 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 4 m/s, 2 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 6 m/s , 4 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 8 m /s,

6 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 10 m/s, 8 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 12 m/s, , 10 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 14 m/s 12 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 16 m/ s, 14 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 18 m/s, 16 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 20 m/s, 18 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 22 m/s, 20 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 24 m/s, 22 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 26 m/s, 24 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 28 m/s, 26 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 30 m/s, 28 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 32 m/s or 30 m/s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m/s; - the device comprises at least one nozzle chamber, arranged in the quenching chamber and fluidically connected to the at least one atomizer, with 6 to 10000 spray nozzles each having a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² ;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another includes an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another includes an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another encloses an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- a minimum distance between the spray nozzles of the first nozzle chamber and the spray nozzles of the second nozzle chamber is 10 to 50 cm;

- a minimum distance between an outlet of the at least one atomizer and an outlet of the nozzle chamber is 5 to 50 cm;

- a minimum distance between an outlet of the at least one atomizer and an outlet of the nozzle chamber 10 to 50 cm, 15 to 50 cm, 20 to 50 cm, 25 to 50 cm, 30 to 50 cm, 35 to 50 cm, 40 to 50 cm or is 45 to 50 cm;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the second line and a control valve is arranged in the first line; - The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connecting the gas pressure vessel to the nozzle chamber, the first line

connects the water pressure tank to the second line, a first control valve is arranged in the first line and a second control valve is arranged in the second line between the gas pressure tank and a junction of the first line;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connecting the gas pressure vessel to the nozzle chamber, the first line

connects the water pressure tank with a confluence, designed as an atomizer nozzle, into the second line and a control valve is arranged in the first line;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connecting the gas pressure vessel to the nozzle chamber, the first line

connects the water pressure tank to a confluence designed as an atomizer nozzle in the second line, a first control valve is arranged in the first line and a second control valve is arranged in the second line between the gas pressure tank and the confluence of the first line;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is arranged in the second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the Venturi nozzle and a control valve in the first line is arranged;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, a venturi nozzle is arranged in the second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the venturi nozzle, a first control valve in the first line and a second control valve is arranged in the second line between the gas pressure vessel and the venturi nozzle;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connecting the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, the second line connecting the gas pressure tank to the first line and a control valve is arranged in the second line;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the first line, a first control valve in the first line between the water pressure tank and a junction of the second line and a second control valve is arranged in the second line; - The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to a junction in the first line designed as a gas nozzle, and a control valve is arranged in the second line;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to a junction designed as a gas nozzle in the first line, a first control valve in the first line between the water pressure container and the confluence of the second line and a second control valve is arranged in the second line;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, a venturi nozzle is arranged in the first line, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the venturi nozzle and a control valve in the second line is arranged;

- the at least one atomizer comprises a first and second line, the first line connects the water pressure tank to the nozzle chamber, a Venturi nozzle is arranged in the first line, the second line connects the gas pressure tank to the Venturi nozzle, a first control valve in the first line between the water pressure tank and the Venturi nozzle and a second control valve is arranged in the second line;

- the quenching chamber is equipped with one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the quench chamber is equipped with one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s, 10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s is;

- the quenching chamber with one or more fans or blowers with a

Spray volume flow from 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ /s,

0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0, 8 to ^1m3 /s,

0.9 to 1.1 m ³ /s, 1 to 1.2 m ³ /s, 1.1 to 1.3 m ³ /s, 1.2 to 1.4 m ³ /s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s,

1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1.6 to 1.8 m ³ / s, 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ / s or 1, 8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- the quenching chamber with one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s; - the quenching chamber with one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s, 12 to 16 m ³ /s, 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device comprises at least one fluidically connected to the quench chamber recirculator with a recirculation drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up ^{to generate a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m 3} / s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator comprising a recirculation drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up for a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 10 m ³ / s,

to generate 5 to 15 m ³ /s, 10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator with a recirculation drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up for a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ / s,

0.2 to 0.4 m ³ / s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0, 6 to 0.8 m ³ / s,

0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0.8 to 1 m ³ / s, 0.9 to 1.1 m ³ / s, from 1 to 1.2 m ³ / s, 1.1 to 1, 3 m ³ / s,

1.2 to 1.4 m ³ / s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1, 6 to 1.8 m ³ / s,

to generate 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator comprising a recirculation drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ / s, 4 to 6 ^m3 /s, 5 to 7 ^m3 /s, 6 to 8 ^m3 /s,

to generate 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator comprising a recirculation drive, wherein the recirculation drive is set up to generate a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ / s, 12 to 16 ^m3 /s, 14 to 18 ^m3 /s,

to generate 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the device comprises at least one fluidically connected to the quench chamber recirculator with a recirculation drive with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ / s;

- the device at least one fluidically connected to the quench chamber recirculator with a recirculation drive with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 10 m ³ / s, 5 to 15 m ³ / s, 10 to 20 m ³ / s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s includes; - the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator with a recirculation drive with a spray volume flow of 0.05-0.3 m ³ /s, 0.2-0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3-0.5 m ³ /s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ /s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ /s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ /s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ /s, 0.8 to 1 m ³ / s, 0.9 to 1.1 m ³ / s, from 1 to 1.2 m ³ / s,

1.1 to 1.3 m ³ / s, 1.2 to 1.4 m ³ / s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1, 5 to 1.7 m ³ /s, 1.6 to 1.8 m ³ /s, 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator with a recirculation drive with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ / s, 5 to 7 ^m3 /s,

6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s;

- the device has at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

Recirculator with a recirculation drive with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s, 12 to 16 m ³ / s,

14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- The recirculation drive is designed as a fan or blower;

- The recirculation drive comprises one or more than fans;

- the recirculation drive comprises one or more fans;

- the recirculator is fluidly connected to the quenching chamber via one, two or more recirculation lines;

- the recirculator comprises one or more atomizers;

- the device comprises a compressor designed and set up to generate a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar;

- the device comprises a fan designed and set up to generate a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar;

- the compressor or blower for generating a gas pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to 20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar or 10 to 20 bar is designed and set up;

- the device comprises a gas pressure vessel designed and equipped for a gas pressure of 1 to 20 bar and connected to the compressor or blower; - the gas pressure vessel for a gas pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to

20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar or 10 to 20 bar is designed and set up;

- the device comprises a hydraulic pump designed and set up to generate a hydraulic pressure of 1 to 20 bar;

- the hydraulic pump for generating a hydraulic pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to 20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar or 10 to 20 bar is designed and set up;

- the device comprises a water pressure tank designed and equipped for a hydraulic pressure of 1 to 20 bar and connected to the hydraulic pump;

- the water pressure tank for a hydraulic pressure of 2 to 20 bar, 3 to 20 bar, 4 to 20 bar, 5 to 20 bar, 6 to 20 bar, 7 to 20 bar, 8 to 20 bar, 9 to 20 bar or 10 to

20 bar is designed and set up;

- The at least one atomizer is fluidically connected to the gas pressure container;

- The at least one atomizer is fluidly connected to the water pressure tank;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a first control valve for controlling a volume flow flowing in from the water pressure tank;

- The at least one atomizer comprises a second control valve for controlling a volume flow flowing in from the gas pressure container;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer nozzles designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;

- The at least one atomizer nozzle is designed as a simple perforated nozzle;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more water nozzles designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;

- the at least one atomizer comprises one or more venturi nozzles designed for the atomization of water in air or nitrogen;

- the device comprises 2 to 20 nebulizers, 2 to 14 nebulizers or 10 to 20 nebulizers;

- the device comprises 2 to 6 nebulizers, 4 to 8 nebulizers, 6 to 10 nebulizers, 8 to 12 nebulizers, 10 to 14 nebulizers, 12 to 16 nebulizers, 14 to 18 nebulizers or 16 to 20 nebulizers; - the device comprises 2 to 20 nozzle chambers, 2 to 14 nozzle chambers or 10 to 20 nozzle chambers;

- the device comprises 2 to 6 nozzle chambers, 4 to 8 nozzle chambers, 6 to 10 nozzle chambers, 8 to 12 nozzle chambers, 10 to 14 nozzle chambers, 12 to 16 nozzle chambers, 14 to 18 nozzle chambers or 16 to 20 nozzle chambers;

- Two or more nozzle chambers are fluidly connected to an atomizer;

- two or more nozzle chambers are fluidly connected to the same atomizer;

- The spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber are designed as boreholes;

- The spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber are designed as cylindrical bores;

- The spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber are designed as photolithographically produced apertures;

- the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an opening with a polygonal, circular or elliptical contour;

- the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an open cross-sectional area with a polygonal, circular or elliptical contour;

- the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have an extension L with 0.5 mm≦L≦10 mm in the direction of a surface normal to their open cross-sectional area;

- the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber have a length L with 0.5 mm≦L≦10 mm in the direction of a surface normal to their open cross-sectional area;

- the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber in the direction of a surface normal to their open cross-sectional area an extension or length L with 0.5 mm ≤ L ≤ 6 mm, 5 mm ≤ L ≤ 10 mm, 0.5 mm ≤ L ≤ 2 mm, 1 mm ≤ L ≤ 3mm,

2mm≦L≦4mm, 3mm≦L≦5mm, 4mm≦L≦6mm, 5mm≦L≦7mm,

6mm ≤ L ≤ 8mm, 7mm ≤ L ≤ 9mm or 8mm ≤ L ≤ 10mm;

- the outlet of at least one nozzle chamber 6 to 60 spray nozzles, 50 to 100

spray nozzles, 6 to 120 spray nozzles or 100 to 200 spray nozzles;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber 6 to 15 spray nozzles, 10 to 20 spray nozzles, 15 to 25 spray nozzles, 20 to 40 spray nozzles, 30 to 50 spray nozzles, 40 to 60 spray nozzles, 50 to 70 spray nozzles, 60 to 80 spray nozzles, 70 to 90 spray nozzles or 80 to 100 spray nozzles; - the outlet of at least one nozzle chamber 6 to 400 spray nozzles, 200 to 600

Spray nozzles, 500 to 900 spray nozzles, 700 to 1100 spray nozzles, 900 to 1300

Spray nozzles, 1100 to 1500 spray nozzles, 1300 to 1700 spray nozzles, 1500 to 1900

Spray nozzles, 1700 to 2100 spray nozzles, 1000 to 3000 spray nozzles, 2000 to 4000

Spray nozzles, 3000 to 5000 spray nozzles, 4000 to 6000 spray nozzles, 5000 to 7000

spray nozzles, 6000 to 8000 spray nozzles, 7000 to 9000 spray nozzles or 8000 to 10000 spray nozzles;

- each spray nozzle of the nozzle chamber independently has a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 10 π mm ² , 5 π mm ² to 15 π mm ² , 10 π mm ² to 20 π mm ² or 15 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² has;

- each spray nozzle of the nozzle chamber independently has a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 2 π mm ² , 1 π mm ² to 3 π mm ² , 2 π mm ² to 4 π mm ² , 3 π mm ² to 5 π mm ^2, 4 π mm ² to 6 π mm ^2, 5 π mm ² to 7 π mm ^2, 6 π mm ² to 8 π mm ^2, 7 π mm ² to 9 π mm ^2, 8 π mm ² to 10 π mm ^2, 9 π mm ² to 11 π mm ^2, 10 π mm ² to 12 π mm ^2, 11 π mm ² to 13 π mm ^2, 12 π mm ² to 14 π mm ^2, 13 π mm ² to 15 π mm ^2, 14 π mm ² to 16 π mm ^2, 15 π mm ² to 17 π mm ^2, 16 π mm ² to 18 π mm ^2, 17 π mm ² to 19 π mm ^2, 18 π mm ² to 20 π mm ^2, 19 π mm ² to 21 π mm ^2, 20 π mm ² to 22 π mm ^2, 21 π mm ² to 23 π mm ^2, 22 π mm ² to 24 π mm ² or 23 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² has;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second nozzle chambers are spaced apart from one another along a reference axis, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another includes an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second

Nozzle chamber are spaced apart along a reference axis, a

a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with the reference axis;

- the device comprises a first and second nozzle chamber, the first and second

Nozzle chamber are spaced apart along a reference axis, a

a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the reference axis; - A clear distance between the first and second nozzle chambers is 10 to 100 cm along the reference axis;

- The at least one nozzle chamber comprises a pinhole with 6 to 10000 holes;

- the at least one nozzle chamber comprises an orifice plate with 6 to 10000 holes each having a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² ;

- the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a grid with 6 to 10000 mesh openings;

- the mm ² to 25 mm ² π comprises at least one nozzle chamber with a grid 6-10000 mesh openings with a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π;

- The at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first and second pinhole, each with 6 to 10000 holes, the second pinhole being displaceable relative to the first pinhole;

- The at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first, second and third pinhole diaphragm, each with 6 to 10000 holes, the second and third pinhole diaphragms being displaceable independently of one another relative to the first pinhole diaphragm;

- The at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three perforated diaphragms, each of which is designed as a plate made of a polymeric, metallic or ceramic material and is equipped with 6 to 10,000 perforated holes;

- The at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three perforated diaphragms, each of which is designed as a plate made of a polymer, metal or ceramic material and is equipped with 6 to 10,000 etching holes;

- the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first and second grid each having from 6 to 10000 mesh openings, the second grid being displaceable relative to the first grid;

- the at least one nozzle chamber comprises a first, second and third grid each having from 6 to 10000 holes, the second and third grids being independently displaceable relative to the first grid;

- the at least one nozzle chamber comprises one, two or three grids, each made of a polymeric or metallic material and each having 6 to 10000 mesh openings;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of 4% to 90%; - the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of 4% to 50% or 40% to 90%;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has a porosity of 4% to 15%, 10% to 20%, 15% to 25%, 20% to 30%, 25% to 35%, 30% to 40%, 35% to 45% %, 40% to 50%, 45% to 55%, 50% to 60%, 55% to 65%, 60% to 70%, 65% to 75%, 70% to 80%, 75% to 85% or 80% to 90%;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of 0.01 to 2 m ² ;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of 0.01 to 1.1 m ² or 0.9 to 2.0 m ² ;

- the outlet of the at least one nozzle chamber has an area of 0.01 to 0.2 m ² , 0.1 to 0.3 m ² , 0.2 to 0.4 m ² , 0.3 to 0.5 m ² , 0.4 to 0.6 m ² , 0.5 to 0.7 m ² , 0.6 to 0.8 m ² , 0.7 to 0.9 m ² , 0.8 to 1.0 m ² , 0.9 to 1.1 m ² , 1.0 to 1.2 m ² , 1.1 to 1.3 m ² , 1.2 to 1.4 m ² , 1.3 to 1.5 m ² , 1.4 to 1.6 m ² , 1.5 to 1.7 m ² , 1.6 to 1.8 m ² , 1.7 to 1.9 m ² or 1.8 to 2.0 m ² ;

- The at least one nozzle chamber is ring-shaped;

the device comprises 2 to 20 nozzle chambers which are ring-shaped and arranged concentrically to one another;

the device comprises 2 to 20, 2 to 14 or 10 to 20 annular nozzle chambers arranged concentrically to one another;

the device comprises 2 to 6, 4 to 8, 6 to 10, 8 to 12, 10 to 14, 12 to 16, 14 to 18 or 16 to 20 annular nozzle chambers arranged concentrically to one another;

- the device comprises a housing;

- the device comprises a housing with one or two openings;

- the device comprises a housing with one or two openings for loading with a charge carrier with workpieces arranged thereon;

- the device comprises a housing with one or two doors for closing the one or two openings;

- The device comprises one or more charge carrier receptacles for one or more charge carriers; - The device comprises a charge carrier receptacle for a charge carrier with workpieces arranged thereon;

- one or more nozzle chambers are arranged in the direction of a vertical reference axis above the receptacle for the charge carrier; - one or more nozzle chambers are arranged in the direction of a vertical reference axis below the receptacle for the charge carrier;

- in the direction of a vertical reference axis, at least one first nozzle chamber is arranged above and at least one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the charge carrier, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another forms an angle of 0 to 20 degrees with the vertical reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle the second nozzle chamber independently forms an angle of 160 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;

- In the direction of a vertical reference axis at least one first nozzle chamber above and at least one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the

charge carriers are arranged, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another encloses an angle of 0 to 30 degrees with the vertical reference axis and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the second nozzle chamber independently of one another encloses an angle of 150 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;

- in the direction of a vertical reference axis, at least one first nozzle chamber is arranged above and at least one second nozzle chamber below the receptacle for the charge carrier, a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle of the first nozzle chamber independently of one another forms an angle of 0 to 45 degrees with the vertical reference axis, and a longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle the second nozzle chamber independently encloses an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with the vertical reference axis;

- the quenching chamber includes a pan for condensation water;

- the quenching chamber comprises a pan for condensed water arranged in a lower part of the quenching chamber;

- the quenching chamber comprises a trough for condensed water and the trough is designed as the lower floor of the quenching chamber;

- the quenching chamber comprises a pan for condensed water and the pan is fluidly connected to a water separator; - the quench chamber includes a pan for condensate water and the pan is fluidly connected to a heat exchanger for condensate cooling;

- the quench chamber includes a pan for condensed water and the pan is fluidly connected to a water filter;

- the quench chamber includes a pan for condensate water and the pan is fluidly connected to a storage tank;

- the water separator is arranged hydraulically between the tub and the storage tank;

- the heat exchanger is arranged hydraulically between the tub and the storage tank;

- the water filter is arranged hydraulically between the tub and the storage tank;

- the quench chamber comprises a pan for condensed water, the pan being fluidly connected to a storage tank and the at least one atomizer, the storage tank being hydraulically arranged between the pan and the at least one atomizer;

- the device comprises a water tank;

- The water tank is fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump;

- the water tank is connected to the hydraulic pump via a supply line;

- the device comprises a water separator;

- The water separator is designed as a swirl droplet separator;

- the water separator comprises a water-cooled heat exchanger;

- The water separator is fluidly connected to the water tank;

- the water separator is connected to the water tank via a return line;

- A feed pump is arranged in the return line;

- A water filter is arranged in the return line; the device comprises an electronic controller; - The electronic controller is designed and set up to control the at least one atomizer;

- the electronic controller is designed and set up to control the at least one atomizer as a function of the temperature of workpieces arranged on a charge carrier when the charge carrier is stored in a charge carrier receptacle of the device;

- an electrical input of each control valve is connected to an output of the electronic control;

- the gas pressure tank is equipped with a gas pressure sensor;

- the water pressure tank is equipped with a hydraulic pressure sensor;

- the at least one atomizer is equipped with one or more flow sensors for air or nitrogen;

- the at least one atomizer is equipped with one or more flow sensors for water;

- The at least one atomizer comprises one or more atomizer nozzles with a swirl insert;

- An electrical output of the gas pressure sensor is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;

- An electrical output of the hydraulic pressure sensor is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;

- an electrical output of the one or more flow sensors for air or nitrogen is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;

- An electrical output of the one or more flow rate sensors for water is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;

- The compressor or the blower can be controlled electronically and an electrical input of the compressor or blower is connected to an electrical output of the electronic control;

- The hydraulic pump can be controlled electronically and an electrical input of the hydraulic pump is connected to an electrical output of the electronic control; - A twist insert of one or more atomizer nozzles is electronically controllable and an electrical input of the twist insert is connected to an electrical output of the electronic controller;

- the device comprises at least one infrared sensor;

- the at least one infrared sensor is designed and set up to measure the temperature of workpieces arranged on a charge carrier when the charge carrier is stored in a charge carrier receptacle of the device;

- An electrical output of the at least one infrared sensor is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller;

- the device comprises at least one digital infrared camera;

- the at least one digital infrared camera is designed and set up to record thermographic images of workpieces arranged on a charge carrier when the charge carrier is stored in a charge carrier receptacle of the device;

- the device comprises an image processing system for thermographic images;

- the image processing system comprises a processor, electronic memory and image processing software; and or

- An electrical output of the image processing system is connected to an electrical input of the electronic control.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a for the industrial

Use to provide a suitable system for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of metallic workpieces with subsequent water spray quenching.

This problem is solved by a system for thermal or thermochemical

Treatment of metallic workpieces followed by water spray quenching, comprising

- one or more load carriers for the storage of workpieces;

- a furnace for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of workpieces arranged on one or more charge carriers, the furnace being designed and set up to heat the workpieces to a temperature of 750 to 1100°C;

- a device for water spray quenching with the characteristics described above; and - an automated transfer device designed and arranged to transfer workpieces arranged on one or more charge carriers from the furnace into a quenching chamber of the device for water spray quenching in a period of 10 to 60 s. Expedient embodiments of the system according to the invention are characterized by the following features in any combination, insofar as the features are not mutually exclusive, and according to which: the at least one charge carrier is designed as a grid-like grate; the at least one charge carrier is made of graphite, carbon fiber reinforced carbon (CFRC) or high-nickel steel; the furnace is designed and set up for workpieces in an atmosphere below

to treat normal pressure (0.9 to 1.1 atm) or low pressure (0 to 200 mbar); the furnace is constructed and set up to carburize workpieces; the furnace is constructed and set up to nitride workpieces; - the furnace is designed and equipped for carbonitriding workpieces; the furnace is designed and set up to apply a carbon-containing donor gas containing, for example, acetylene (C ₂ H ₂ ) to workpieces; the furnace is designed and set up to apply a nitrogen-containing donor gas containing, for example, ammonia (NH ₃ ) or nitrogen (N2) to workpieces; the furnace is designed and set up to subject workpieces to a partially ionized gas atmosphere and in particular to nitride them with plasma excitation;

- The at least one automated rail-bound conveyor vehicle comprises a horizontally movable telescopic fork; - the furnace comprises a sluice for one or more charge carriers loaded with workpieces with a pressure-tight chamber and two hermetically closing doors or slides;

- the apparatus for water spray quenching comprises a quenching chamber for receiving one or more charge carriers loaded with workpieces; - the device for water spray deterrent equipped with a door

quench chamber comprises; - a distance between the furnace and the device for water spray quenching is 0 to 20 m;

- a distance between the furnace and the apparatus for water spray quenching is 0 to 10 m, 8 to 16 m or 12 to 20 m;

- a distance between the furnace and the device for water spray quenching 0 to 6 m, 4 to 8 m, 6 to 10 m, 8 to 12 m, 10 to 14 m, 12 to 16 m, 14 to 18 m or 16 to is 20 m;

- a distance between a sluice of the furnace and a door of the quenching chamber is 0 to 20 m;

- a distance between a sluice of the furnace and a door of the quenching chamber is 0 to 10 m, 8 to 16 m or 12 to 20 m;

- a distance between a sluice of the furnace and a door of the quenching chamber 0 to 6 m, 4 to 8 m, 6 to 10 m, 8 to 12 m, 10 to 14 m, 12 to 16 m, 14 to 18 m or 16 to is 20 m;

- the water spray quenching device is connected to the furnace via an automated airlock;

- the water spray quench apparatus is connected to the furnace via an automated airlock, the airlock comprising a pressure-tight chamber and two hermetically closing doors or gates;

- the water spray quenching device is connected to the furnace via an automated airlock, the airlock comprising a conveyor device for the horizontal transport of one or more trays loaded with workpieces;

- the system comprises one or more robots for the transfer of one or more trays loaded with workpieces from the furnace to the water spray quenching device;

- the system comprises one or more automated forklift trucks for the transfer of one or more charge carriers loaded with workpieces from the furnace to the water spray quenching device;

- The at least one automated industrial truck comprises a horizontally movable telescopic fork; - the system comprises one or more automated rail-bound conveyor vehicles for the transfer of one or more batch carriers loaded with workpieces from the furnace to the water spray quenching apparatus; and

- The at least one automated rail-bound conveyor vehicle includes a horizontally movable telescopic fork.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an industrially suitable method for water spray quenching of thermochemically treated metallic workpieces.

This object is achieved by a method for water spray quenching thermally or thermochemically treated metallic workpieces, comprising the steps:

- Arranging one or more thermochemically treated workpieces in a batch volume V _{0 of} a quenching device;

- atomizing water into air or nitrogen to create a spray;

- Flow through the batch volume V ₀ with spray; whereby

- the charge volume V _{0 is from} 0.045 to 3.5 m ³ (0.045 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 3.5 m ³ );

- the spray mist has a water content of 2.5 to 40% by volume;

- the spray has a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm; and

- a spray mist flow through the charge volume V _{0 is} 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s or the spray mist in the charge volume V _{0 is} circulated with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s.

Expedient embodiments of the method according to the invention are characterized by the following features in any combination, insofar as the features are not mutually exclusive, and according to which:

- the one or more workpieces are cooled from a temperature of 750 to 1100 °C to a temperature of 20 °C to 250 °C;

- the one or more workpieces are cooled from a temperature of 980 °C to a temperature of 100 °C;

- the one or more workpieces are cooled from a temperature of 750 to 1100 °C to a temperature of 20 °C to 250 °C in a period of 15 to 60 s; the one or more workpieces are cooled from a temperature of 980°C to a temperature of 100°C in a period of 15 to 60 s; - the one or more workpieces in a period of 15 to 30 s, 20 to 40 s,

30 to 50 s or 40 to 60 s from a temperature of 750 to 1100 °C to a

temperature from 20 °C to 250 °C;

- the one or more workpieces are cooled from a temperature of 980 °C to a temperature of 100 °C in a period of 15 to 30 s, 20 to 40 s, 30 to 50 s or 40 to 60 s;

- A lattice-shaped charge carrier with a workpiece mounted thereon is arranged _{in the charge volume V 0;}

- A lattice-like charge carrier with a plurality of workpieces stored next to one another is arranged _{in the charge volume V 0 ;}

- Two or more grid-like charge carriers with workpieces stored thereon are arranged vertically one above the other _{in the charge volume V 0 ;}

- Two or more grid-like charge carriers _{are arranged in the charge volume V 0} and one or more workpieces are stored independently of one another on each charge carrier;

- Two or more grid-like charge carriers _{are arranged in the charge volume V 0} and two or more workpieces are stored next to one another independently of one another on each charge carrier;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a width of 40 to 80 cm; - the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a depth of 40 to 120 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a height of 10 to 80 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 to 120 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a height of 10 to 80 cm; - the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a width of 40 to 150 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a depth of 40 to 150 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cuboid and has a height of 10 to 150 cm;

- the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a diameter of 40 to 200 cm; the charge volume V _{0 is} cylindrical and has a height of 10 to 150 cm;

- with one or more atomizers 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s spray are generated;

- with one or more atomizers 0.05 to 0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ /s,

0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s or 0, 8 to 1 m ³ /s spray can be generated;

- with one or more atomizers 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s,

3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 9 to 10 m ³ /s

spray are generated;

- with one or more atomizers 0.05 to 4 m ³ /s, 2 to 6 m ³ /s, 4 to 8 m ³ /s,

6 to 10 ^m3 /s, 8 to 12 ^m3 /s, 10 to 14 ^m3 /s, 12 to 16 ^m3 /s, 14 to 18 ^m3 /s,

16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s spray are generated;

- a spray flow through the batch volume V ₀ 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s,

is 10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow through the batch volume V ₀ 0.05-0.4 m ³ /s, ^{0.3-0.5 m 3} /s,

0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0, 8 to ^1m3 /s,

0.9 to 1.1 m ³ /s, 1 to 1.2 m ³ /s, 1.1 to 1.3 m ³ /s, 1.2 to 1.4 m ³ /s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1.6 to 1.8 m ³ / s, 1.7 to 1 is 9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow through the batch volume V ₀ 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s,

2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 bis is 10 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow through the batch volume V ₀ 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s, 12 to 16 m ³ /s, is 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- A spray in the batch volume V _{0 is} circulated with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s, 10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s;

- A spray in the batch volume V ₀ with a spray volume flow of

0.05 to 0.4 m ³ / s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0, 6 to 0.8 m ³ /s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ /s, 0.8 to 1 m ³ /s, 0.9 to 1.1 m ³ /s, 1 to 1.2 m ³ / s, 1.1 to 1.3 m ³ / s,

1.2 to 1.4 m ³ / s, 1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1, 6 to 1.8 m ³ /s, 1.7 to 1.9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s; - A spray in the batch volume V ₀ with a spray volume flow of

0.05 to 2 ^m3 /s, 1 to 3 ^m3 /s, 2 to 4 ^m3 /s, 3 to 5 ^m3 /s, 4 to 6 ^m3 /s, 5 to 7 ^m3 /s,

6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 to 10 m ³ /s;

- A spray in the batch volume V ₀ with a spray volume flow of

0.05 to 8 ^m3 /s, 5 to 10 ^m3 /s, 8 to 12 ^m3 /s, 10 to 14 ^m3 /s, 12 to 16 ^m3 /s,

14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the spray is circulated in the quenching chamber by means of one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the spray in the quenching chamber by means of one or more fans or

fans with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 10 m ³ /s, 5 to 15 m ³ /s,

10 to 20 m ³ /s or 15 to 25 m ³ /s is circulated;

- the spray in the quenching chamber by means of one or more fans or

Fan with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ /s, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ /s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ /s, 0.4 to 0.6 ³ m / s, 0.5 to 0.7 m ³ / s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ / s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ / s, 0.8 to 1 m ³ / s , 0.9 to 1.1 m ³ / s, from 1 to 1.2 m ³ / s, 1.1 to 1.3 m ³ / s, 1.2 to 1.4 m ³ / s,

1.3 to 1.5 m ³ / s, 1.4 to 1.6 m ³ / s, 1.5 to 1.7 m ³ / s, 1.6 to 1.8 m ³ / s, 1, 7 to 1.9 m ³ /s or 1.8 to 2 m ³ /s is circulated;

- the spray in the quenching chamber by means of one or more fans or

fans with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s,

2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s, 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 8 bis 10 m ³ /s is circulated;

- the spray in the quench chamber using one or more fans or blowers with a spray flow rate of 0.05 to 8 m ³ /s, 5 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s, 12 to 16 m ³ /s, 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- a spray is generated with an initial temperature or atomization temperature of 10 to 30 °C;

- a spray is generated with an inlet temperature or atomization temperature of 10 to 30 °C; an outlet temperature of the spray at an outlet of the quenching chamber is 50 to 120°C; - an outlet temperature of the spray at an outlet of the quenching chamber is 50 to 70°C, 60 to 80°C, 70 to 90°C, 80 to 100°C, 90 to 110°C or 100 to 120°C;

- a spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the

quench chamber is 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the

Quenching from 0.05 to 0.3 m ³ / s, 0.2 to 0.4 m ³ / s, 0.3 to 0.5 m ³ / s, 0.4 to 0.6 m ³ / s, 0 .5 to 0.7 m ³ /s, 0.6 to 0.8 m ³ /s, 0.7 to 0.9 m ³ /s or 0.8 to 1 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the

Quench chamber 0.05 to 2 m ³ /s, 1 to 3 m ³ /s, 2 to 4 m ³ /s, 3 to 5 m ³ /s, 4 to 6 m ³ /s, 5 to 7 m ³ /s , 6 to 8 m ³ /s, 7 to 9 m ³ /s or 9 to 10 m ³ /s;

- a spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the

Quench chamber 0.05 to 4 m ³ /s, 2 to 6 m ³ /s, 4 to 8 m ³ /s, 6 to 10 m ³ /s, 8 to 12 m ³ /s, 10 to 14 m ³ /s , 12 to 16 m ³ /s, 14 to 18 m ³ /s, 16 to 20 m ³ /s, 18 to 22 m ³ /s or 20 to 25 m ³ /s;

- the spray is recirculated by means of a recirculation drive;

- the spray is recirculated using a recirculation fan or blower;

- The spray mist is circulated using the recirculation drive in such a way that a

Ratio (quotient or recirculation number) of spray mist flow through the

charge volume V ₀ and spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber has a value in the range of 1.5 to 20;

- The spray mist is circulated using the recirculation drive in such a way that a

Ratio (quotient or recirculation number) of spray mist flow through the

charge volume V ₀ and spray flow rate between an inlet and an outlet of the quench chamber has a value in the range of 1.5 to 6, 4 to 8, 6 to 10, 8 to 12, 10 to 14, 12 to 16, 14 to 18 or 16 to 20 has;

- an average pressure in the charge volume V _{0 is} 0.8 to 1.2 bar;

- The spray mist of a first and second nozzle chamber is applied to the one or more workpieces, the first nozzle chamber being arranged above the workpieces and the second nozzle chamber being arranged below the workpieces; an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber is 2 to 19 bar; - an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber is 2 to 11 bar or 9 to 19 bar;

- an internal pressure in the nozzle chamber of 3 to 19 bar, 4 to 19 bar, 5 to 19 bar, 6 to 19 bar,

7 to 19 bar, 8 to 19 bar, 9 to 19 bar, 10 to 19 bar, 11 to 19 bar, 12 to 19 bar, 13 to

is 19 bar, 14 to 19 bar, 15 to 19 bar, 16 to 19 bar, 17 to 19 bar or 18 to 19 bar;

- the Sauter diameter of the water spray is 20 to 1100 μm or 900 to 2000 μm;

- the Sauter diameter of the water spray 20-200 μm, 100-300 μm, 200-400 μm, 300-500 μm, 400-600 μm, 500-700 μm, 600-800 μm, 700-900 μm, 800-1000 900 to 1100 μm, 1000 to 1200 μm, 1100 to 1400 μm, 1300 to 1500 μm, 1400 to 1600 μm, 1500 to 1700 μm, 1600 to 1800 μm, 1700 to 1900 μm μm is;

- the Sauter diameter of the water spray 20-60 μm, 40-80 μm, 60-100 μm, 80-120 μm, 100-140 μm, 120-160 μm, 140-180 μm, 160-200 μm, 180-220 µm, 200 to 240 µm, 220 to 260 µm, 240 to 280 µm or 260 to 300 µm;

- a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and the one or more workpieces is 5 to 50 cm;

- a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and the one or more workpieces is 5 to 30 cm or 20 to 50 cm;

- a minimum distance between the at least one nozzle chamber and the one or more workpieces 5 to 15 cm, 10 to 20 cm, 15 to 25 cm, 20 to 30 cm, 25 to 35 cm, 30 to 40 cm, 35 to 45 cm or is 40 to 50 cm;

- A volume flow of water supplied to the at least one nozzle chamber is regulated with the aid of an electronic controller;

- A volume flow of air or nitrogen supplied to the at least one nozzle chamber is regulated with the aid of an electronic controller;

- a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber is regulated by means of an electronic controller;

- a temperature of the one or more workpieces is measured using one or more infrared sensors; - thermographic images of the one or more workpieces are recorded using one or more digital infrared cameras;

- Thermographic images of the one or more workpieces are evaluated using a digital image processing system; - A volume flow of water supplied to at least one nozzle chamber

Is controlled depending on an output signal of the at least one infrared sensor;

- A volume flow of air or nitrogen supplied to at least one nozzle chamber is regulated as a function of an output signal from the at least one infrared sensor;

- A cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber is controlled as a function of an output signal from the at least one infrared sensor;

- A volume flow of water supplied to the at least one nozzle chamber as a function of thermographic images of the one or more digital

Infra red would come ras is regulated;

- A volume flow of air or nitrogen supplied to at least one nozzle chamber is regulated as a function of thermographic images of the one or more digital infrared cameras; - a cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber in

Depending on thermographic images of the one or more digital infrared cameras is controlled;

- A volume flow of water supplied to at least one nozzle chamber

is controlled depending on an output signal of the digital image processing system;

- A volume flow of air or nitrogen supplied to at least one nozzle chamber is regulated as a function of an output signal from the digital image processing system; and or

- A cross-sectional area of the spray nozzles of the at least one nozzle chamber is controlled as a function of an output signal from the digital image processing system.

The present invention overcomes problems that have prevented the practical use of water spray quenching. In the device according to the invention the spray is generated using an atomizer and directed or flowed through or circulated in _{the charge volume V 0 in a controlled manner.} The flow through the charge volume V ₀ or spray mist circulation in the charge volume V ₀ is largely decoupled from the atomization. This decoupling enables a flow through the charge volume V _{0 that} can be regulated within a wide parameter range with spray mist or spray mist circulation in the charge volume V ₀ and, associated with this, a spatially uniform control of the cooling rate. In particular, the speed at which the spray mist _{flows through the charge volume V 0} or is circulated therein can be set within wide limits independently of the operating parameters of the atomization. With increasing flow velocity, the turbulence in the charge volume increases, which promotes the shearing of the insulating vapor layer from the surface of the workpieces and improves heat transfer.

Surprisingly, this functional improvement is achieved with a simple and inexpensive construction and electronic control.

In the context of the present invention, the term “charge volume” refers to a compact spatial area in the quenching chamber through which fluid can flow, in which one or more workpieces mounted on one or more charge carriers can be arranged. Accordingly, the term "batch volume" does not refer to an objective feature per se, but rather denotes a geometric design of a quench chamber that delimits the batch volume.

In general, the process according to the invention is carried out with a balanced material balance. This means that the mass flows of gas and water that are supplied on the inlet side or to the one or more atomizers and that are discharged at an outlet of the quenching chamber are of the same magnitude. Within the scope of the invention, the mass flow or mass throughput through the quenching chamber or between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber is referred to or specified ^{as "spray mist throughput" with the unit m 3 /s.} With specified volume fractions of gas and water, the mass throughput of water and gas is determined based on the "spray mist throughput" - apart from minor temperature-dependent deviations.

In contrast to the term "spray throughput", the term "spray flow" refers to the batch volume. Using an optional recirculator or an optional fan or blower located in the quench chamber, the "spray flow" through the batch volume can be many times the "spray throughput" referred to an inlet or outlet of the quench chamber. Within the scope of the invention, the ratio or the quotient of "spray mist flow" to "spray mist throughput" is expediently also referred to as "recirculation number" or "circulation number". Alternatively, instead of the term "spray mist flow", the term "spray mist transfer" or "spray mist transfer in the charge volume V ₀ " is also used. The term "spray flow rate" as used in the present invention refers to the structural and electrical design of a recirculation drive, one or more fans or one or more blowers, each having a spray flow rate in the range of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s

- to be received at an inlet of the recirculation drive, fan or blower fluidically connected to the charge volume or the quenching chamber; and

- eject at an outlet of the recirculation drive, fan or blower fluidly connected to the charge volume or the quench chamber.

Accordingly, the recirculation drive, the at least one fan or the at least one blower act as a flow drive for the spray mist.

The recirculation drive is preferably connected to the quenching chamber via two pipelines. On the other hand, one or more fans or blowers provided for the spray mist circulation are preferably arranged on a wall of the quench chamber or inside the quench chamber.

In the context of the present invention, the term "atomizer" designates an assembly that includes one or more atomizer nozzles. In particular, an “atomizer” can include a register with up to 60 atomizer nozzles arranged in a matrix.

In the context of the present invention, the term “inlet” designates a part of the device according to the invention, through which water and air or nitrogen are supplied to the quenching chamber and to a recirculator that is optionally fluidically connected to the quenching chamber. In particular, the inlet can comprise one or more fluid lines or one or more nebulizers.

In the context of the present invention, the term “outlet” designates a part of the device according to the invention, through which spray mist is discharged from the quenching chamber and a recirculator that is optionally fluidically connected to the quenching chamber

According to the invention, the "inlet" and "outlet" can each be fluidically connected or coupled to the quenching chamber or optionally to the recirculator.

Within the scope of the present invention, the properties of the generated water spray, in particular the Sauter diameter, are determined using a measurement method based on rapid digital image processing. Suitable measuring systems for this are offered by the companies LaVision (https://www.lavision.de/) and Sympatec (https://www.sympatec.com/), among others.

2:2018-09). The Sauter diameter DMS (https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/SauterDIA) is defined as the quotient of six times the total volume and the total surface area of the water droplets of the spray mist and has the value in the case of monodisperse water droplets, where D denotes the droplet diameter (DIN ISO 9276-

2:2018-09).

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures. It shows:

1 shows a schematic representation of a quenching device;

2 shows an atomizer with a plurality of atomizer nozzles and workpieces arranged underneath them;

3 shows two atomizers arranged above and below workpieces;

4 shows a device with two nozzle chambers;

5a, 5b... a nozzle plate with several spray nozzles;

6 shows a device with a recirculator;

7. Temperature profile of a workpiece during quenching according to a first exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to the invention for

Water spray quenching with a quenching chamber 2 and an atomizer 30. In the quenching chamber 2, one or more charge carriers 10 with a large number of workpieces 11 mounted thereon are arranged _{within a charge volume 5 or V 0 .} A spray mist 300 consisting of water and air or water and nitrogen is generated by means of the atomizer 30 . As indicated by the spray flow arrows 310, the spray 300 flows through the batch volume 5/V ₀ with the workpieces 11 arranged therein vertical reference axis 20 are aligned. According to the invention, the flow through the charge volume 5/V ₀ is effected in various ways, as described below with reference to FIGS. All embodiments of the device 1 according to the invention are designed and set up _{to flow through the charge volume 5/V 0} with a spray mist 300, which is characterized by the following parameters:

2.5% by volume ≤ water content ≤ 40% by volume;

20 μm ≤ Sauter diameter ≤ 2000 μm;

0.045 m ³ ≤ batch volume V ₀ ≤ 3.5 m ³ ;

0.05 m ³ /s ≤ spray flow through the batch volume V ₀ ≤ 25 m ³ /s;

The atomizer 30 is connected to a pressurized water tank via a first supply line, not shown in FIG. 1, and via a second supply line, not shown in FIG connected to a pressurized gas tank filled with air or nitrogen. The pressurized water tank and pressurized gas tank, not shown in FIG. 1, are each designed for a pressure of 1 to 20 bar. Control valves are arranged in the first and second supply lines, with which the volume flows (l/min) of water and gas that flow to the atomizer 30 from the water and gas pressure tank, respectively, are regulated. The atomizer 30 is also equipped with one or more atomizer nozzles, not shown in FIG. According to the invention, various concepts known in the prior art are provided for the configuration and design of the atomizer nozzles, such as one-component nozzle for water, one-component nozzle for gas, external-mixing two-component nozzle, internal-mixing two-component nozzle (gas inside, water outside), internal-mixing two-component nozzle (water inside, gas outside), Venturi nozzles with main gas flow and water side flow, Venturi nozzles with water main flow and gas side flow, perforated nozzles, spiral nozzles, nozzles with and without swirl insert and rotating nozzles. The atomizer 30 is designed and set up to ensure that the spray mist 300 flows around the workpieces 11 quickly and uniformly.

The spray mist 300 heats up as it flows around the _{hot workpieces 11 arranged in the charge volume 5/V 0} and, as indicated by the spray mist flow arrows 320, is discharged from the quenching chamber 2. In an expedient embodiment, the device 1 comprises a ventilator 6 or a blower 6. The ventilator 6 or the blower 6 supports the discharge of the spray mist 300 from the quenching chamber 2 and optionally accelerates the flow through the charge volume 5/V ₀ .

Länge von 10 bis 50 cm bezeichnet. Abweichend von der Darstellung in Fig. 2 ist eine regelmäßige räumliche Anordnung der Werkstücke relativ zu den Sprühdüsen erfindungs- gemäß nicht zwingend erforderlich. FIG. 2 shows a perspective partial view of a device for water spray quenching according to the invention with an atomizer comprising a plurality of atomizer nozzles 31 and a large number of workpieces 11 which are mounted on a charge carrier 10. The atomizer nozzles 31 are arranged in the quenching chamber or the charge volume of the device in such a way that their longitudinal axes (or central axes or axes of rotation) are each independently of one another at an angle of 135 to 180 degrees with a vertical reference axis 20' or an axis directed in the opposite direction thereto. 150 to 180 degrees or 160 to 180 degrees or 0 to 45 degrees, 0 to 30 degrees or 0 to 20 degrees, respectively. Accordingly, a central axis of the spray mist cone 300 generated by each atomizer nozzle 31 is aligned essentially perpendicularly to a proportionately large surface of each of the workpieces 11 . In an expedient embodiment of the device, the atomizer nozzles 31 are essentially arranged in a two-dimensional hexagonal grid or a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to a closest packing of spheres in order to achieve the most uniform possible spray mist distribution in a cross-sectional area of the charge volume perpendicular to the reference axis 20'. The primitive basis of a two-dimensional hexagonal grid is spanned or specified by two basis vectors = (2d, 0) and = (d,√3 d), where d is a

Length from 10 to 50 cm. Deviating from the representation in Fig. 2 is a regular spatial arrangement of the workpieces relative to the spray nozzles is not absolutely necessary according to the invention.

3 is a partial perspective view of another water spray quench apparatus according to the present invention having first and second atomizers 31U and 31L each having a plurality of atomizing nozzles 31U and 31L, respectively. The atomizer nozzles 31U of the first atomizer 30U are each aligned independently of one another in such a way that their longitudinal axes enclose an angle of 135 to 180 degrees, 150 to 180 degrees or 160 to 180 degrees with a vertical reference axis 20'. The atomizer nozzles 31L of the second atomizer 30L are each aligned independently of one another in such a way that their longitudinal axes enclose an angle of 0 to 45 degrees, 0 to 30 degrees or 0 to 20 degrees with the vertical reference axis 20'. Accordingly, a central axis of the spray cone 300 generated by each atomizing nozzle 31U and 31L is oriented substantially perpendicular to a proportionally large surface of each of the workpieces 11 . In an expedient embodiment of the device, the atomizer nozzles 31U and 31L are arranged independently of one another essentially in a two-dimensional hexagonal grid or a two-dimensional pattern corresponding to a closest packing of spheres in order to achieve the most uniform possible spray mist distribution in a cross-sectional area of the charge volume perpendicular to the reference axis 20' to achieve. Contrary to the illustration in FIG. 3, a regular spatial arrangement of the workpieces relative to the spray nozzles is not absolutely necessary according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic sectional view of another apparatus 1 for water spray quenching according to the invention with a first and second atomizer (30A, 30B) which are fluidly connected to a first and second nozzle chamber (40A, 40B), respectively. The first and second nozzle chambers 40A and 40B are arranged above and respectively below a charge carrier 11 with metal workpieces 11, such as spur gears, mounted thereon. Each of the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) includes an outlet having 6 to 10,000 spray nozzles (41A, 41B) each having a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² . A longitudinal axis of each spray nozzle (41A, 41B) is aligned essentially parallel to a vertical reference axis 20 or perpendicular to a surface of the workpieces 11.

The first and second atomizers (30A, 30B) are each connected to a pressurized water tank via a first supply line and to a pressurized gas tank filled with air or nitrogen via a second supply line. The pressurized water and pressurized gas tanks not shown in FIG. 4 are each designed for a pressure of 1 to 20 bar. Control valves 32 and 33, respectively, are arranged in the first and second supply lines. By means of the control valves 32 and 33, the volume flows (l / min) of water and gas, the first and second atomizer (30A, 30B) from the water and respectively Flow gas pressure tank regulated. In an expedient embodiment of the device, the first and second atomizers (30A, 30B) are each equipped with an atomizer nozzle 31 . According to the invention, various concepts known in the prior art are provided for the configuration and design of the atomizer nozzle 31, such as one-component nozzle for water, one-component nozzle for gas, external-mixing two-component nozzle, internal-mixing two-component nozzle (gas inside, water outside), internal-mixing two-component nozzle (water inside, gas outside), Venturi nozzles with main gas flow and water side flow, Venturi nozzles with water main flow and gas side flow, perforated nozzles, spiral nozzles, nozzles with and without swirl insert and rotary nozzles.

In the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) connected to them, the atomizers (30A, 30B) each produce a spray mist 300 which exits through the spray nozzles (41A, 41B) and flows over the workpieces 11. The spray nozzles (41A, 41B) have a cross-sectional area of 0.25 π mm ² to 25 π mm ² and are preferably designed as simple perforated nozzles. The configuration and dimensions of the spray nozzles (41A, 41B) and their density, ie the number of spray nozzles (41A, 41B) per unit area, is selected in such a way that a uniform impingement of the spray mist on the workpieces 11 is ensured.

In an expedient embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, the nozzle chambers (40A, 40B) each comprise an outlet or a nozzle plate with two or three perforated ends arranged one above the other, with a second and possibly third perforated diaphragm being displaceable relative to a first perforated diaphragm. 5a and 5b show partial top views of such a nozzle plate with three perforated diaphragms, each of which has a large number of circular holes of the same diameter. The relative arrangement of the holes to one another is the same in each of the three pinhole diaphragms, with the position of the center points of the holes corresponding to the lattice points of a hexagonal closest packing of spheres in two dimensions. In the position shown in FIG. 5a, all three pinholes are aligned congruently with one another, so that the holes in the second and third pinholes coincide with the holes in the first pinhole. In this case, a nozzle opening formed by three superimposed holes has a maximum cross-sectional area. In the position shown in FIG. 5b, the second and third perforated diaphragms are shifted relative to the first perforated diaphragm, so that a nozzle opening formed by three superimposed holes has a reduced cross-sectional area. The nozzle plate illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b comprises a multiplicity of spray nozzles which can be regulated in parallel and whose function is based on the principle of an iris diaphragm.

6 shows another device 1 according to the invention for water spray quenching with a quenching chamber 2 and a recirculator 7 or circulator 7 comprising a recirculation drive 72. In an expedient embodiment, the recirculator 7 is fluidically connected to the quenching chamber 2 via two or more lines . The quench chamber 2 includes a batch volume 5 / V ₀ , in which one or several batch carriers 10 are arranged with a multiplicity of workpieces 11 stored thereon. An inlet 71 comprises one or more atomizers 30 by means of which a spray mist 300 consisting of water and air or water and nitrogen is generated. The recirculator 7 and the recirculation drive 72 are designed and set up to cause spray mist 300 to _{flow through the charge volume 5/V 0 quickly.} In an expedient embodiment of the device 1, the recirculation drive 72 is designed as a ventilator or blower. A part of the spray 300 circulated in the quench chamber 2 and the recirculator 7 is discharged via an outlet 73 . In an expedient embodiment of the device 1, the outlet 73 is fluidically connected to a water separator, not shown in FIG.

example 1

200 steel bolts with a diameter of 25 mm, length 150 mm and a unit weight of 0.56 kg are arranged on a charge carrier in an area with a length and width of 50 cm each. One of the steel bolt has at an end face on an axial bore in which one end connected to a high-temperature resistant recorder (Fluke Datapaq ^® Furnace tracker) thermocouple is located. The charge carrier is designed as a grating made of carbon fiber reinforced carbon (CFRC) with a mesh opening of 45 mm x 45 mm and a web width of 15 mm. The steel bolts arranged on the charge carrier are heated in a vacuum furnace equipped with a lock and kept at a temperature of 980° C. for a period of 30 minutes. The charge carrier with the steel bolts is then removed from the vacuum furnace through the lock and placed in a quenching device according to the invention. The quenching device comprises an upper and lower nozzle register, each with 36 spray nozzles, which are arranged analogously to the manner shown in Fig. 3 in such a way that the outlets of the spray nozzles in an upper and lower horizontal plane in a regular grid within a square with a side length of 40 cm, with a lateral distance between two adjacent spray nozzles being 8 cm in each case and a vertical distance between the upper and lower horizontal plane being 30 cm. The charge carrier is mounted on two rails in such a way that the steel bolts are arranged practically in the middle, ie at a distance of about 15 cm between the upper and lower horizontal plane. The time for the transfer from the furnace chamber to the quenching device is about 20 s. Immediately after the transfer of the charge carrier to the quenching device, each of the spray nozzles in the upper and lower registers is supplied with compressed air and water, respectively with an overpressure of 3 and 5 bar and Flow rates of 5 m ³ /h and 4 l/min were supplied. The temperature profile recorded with the thermocouple during quenching is reproduced in FIG. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the steel bolt equipped with the thermocouple is cooled from 920° C. to 100° C. within about 25 s. example 2

9 of a total of 45 gear wheels made of steel with an external diameter of 310 mm, thickness 34 mm and a unit weight of 15.1 kg are placed in a square grid on one of 5 charge carriers within an area of 1 m×1 m. One of the gears has a vertical bore in one face, in which a ^{thermocouple connected to a high-temperature recorder (Fluke Datapaq ®} Furnace-Tracker) is arranged. Each of the 5 charge carriers is designed as a grating made of carbon fiber reinforced carbon (CFRC) with a mesh size of 45 mm × 45 mm and a web width of 15 mm. The gearwheel equipped with the thermocouple is arranged in the center of the third charge carrier, ie in the center of the total charge of 45 gearwheels. The total charge with the 45 gears is heated in a vacuum furnace equipped with an airlock and held at a temperature of 980°C for a period of 60 minutes. The total charge is then removed from the vacuum furnace through the lock and placed in a quenching chamber of a quenching device according to the invention. The time for the transfer from the furnace chamber to the quench chamber is about 30 s. The quench apparatus is equipped with a recirculator and configured in the manner shown in FIG. Immediately after the transfer of the total batch, a water spray of 97.5 vol .-% air and water .-% 2.5 volume is generated using an atomizer arranged in the recirculator and a fan and with a volume flow of 645 m ³ / min by the Quench chamber passed or circulated in the quenching device. The temperature of the water spray at the atomizer nozzle is 18 °C. Water spray at a temperature of 78 °C is discharged at an outlet of the quenching chamber. The volume flow of the water spray generated by the atomizer and discharged at the outlet are the same and amount to 72 m ³ /min in each case. According to the temperature profile recorded with the thermocouple, the gear wheel located centrally in the overall batch is cooled down from 940 °C to 100 °C within around 43 s.

Reference sign

1 . Device for water spray quenching

2 . quench chamber

20 . Reference axis, positive direction 20'. Reference axis, negative direction 30 . atomizer

30A . atomizer

30B. atomizer

30U . Atomizer 30L . atomizer

31 . atomizer nozzle

31U . atomizer nozzle

31L . atomizer nozzle

32 . Water Control Valve 33 . Control valve for air or nitrogen

300 . Mist or water spray

310 . spray flow arrow

320 . spray flow arrow

40A . Nozzle chamber 40B. nozzle chamber

41A . spray nozzle

41B . spray nozzle

5 . Charge volume V ₀

6 . Fan or blower to evacuate the spray from the quench chamber 7 recirculator

71 . inlet

710 . inlet flow arrow

72 . Recirculation drive (fan or blower) 720 . recirculation flow arrow

73 . outlet

730 . outlet flow arrow

10 . batch carrier

11 . workpiece

Claims

patent claims A water spray quench apparatus (1) comprising - A quenching chamber (2) designed and equipped for receiving metallic workpieces (11) with a batch volume (5/V ₀ ) of 0.045 to 3.5 m ³ ; and - at least one atomizer (30, 30A, 30B, 30U, 30L) configured for atomizing water into air or nitrogen and fluidly connected to the quench chamber (2); characterized in that the at least one atomizer (30, 30A, 30B, 30U, 30L) and the device (1) are designed and set up for this purpose, a spray mist (300) with a water content of 2.5 to 40% by volume and to produce a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm and _{to promote a spray mist flow through the charge volume V 0} (5) of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s or the spray mist (300) in the charge volume V ₀ (5) with a spray mist volume flow to circulate from 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is designed and set up to generate ^{a spray throughput of 0.05 to 25 m 3 /s between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber (2).} 3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises first and second atomizers (30U, 30L) each having 3 to 60 atomizing nozzles (31U, 31L). 4. Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that outlets of the atomizing nozzles (31U) of the first atomizer (30U) are arranged in a first horizontal plane, outlets of the atomizing nozzles (31L) of the second atomizer (30L) in a second horizontal plane, the quenching device comprises one or two receptacles for a first and second charge carrier (10), and the first and second receptacles are arranged in the vertical direction (20') between the first and second horizontal plane. 5. Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the atomizing nozzles (31U, 31L) of the first and second atomizers (30U, 30L) are each designed, configured and spatially arranged to have a horizontal area of 0 .16 to 2.25 m ² evenly with water spray mist (300). 6. Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the atomizing nozzles (31U, 31L) of the first and second atomizers (30U, 30L) are independently designed, configured and spatially arranged for a to apply water spray (300) to a horizontal surface of 0.16 to 2.25 m ^{2 in} such a way that a vertical component v _{z of} a flow velocity of the water spray (300) has a value of 0.8 × v _z to 1.2 × v _z is 0.5 m / s ≤ v _z ≤ 35 m / s. 7. Device (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the quenching chamber (2) is equipped with one or more fans or blowers with a spray volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s is. 8. Device (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises at least one fluidically connected to the quenching chamber (2) recirculator (7) with a recirculation drive (72), wherein the recirculation drive (72) is set up to generate a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s. 9. Device (1) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises an electronic controller and at least one infrared sensor, which at least one infrared sensor is designed and set up to measure the temperature of on a charge carrier (10 ) arranged workpieces (11) to measure when the charge carrier (10) is stored in a charge carrier receptacle of the device (1) and an electrical output of the at least one infrared sensor is connected to an electrical input of the electronic controller. 10. Device (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the quenching chamber (2) comprises a trough for condensation water. 11. System for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of metallic workpieces (11) with subsequent water spray quenching, comprising - One or more batch carriers (10) for the storage of workpieces (11); - a furnace for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of workpieces arranged on one or more charge carriers, the furnace being designed and set up to heat the workpieces to a temperature of 750 to 1100°C; - a water spray quench apparatus (1) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10; and - an automated transfer device designed and set up to transfer workpieces (11) arranged on one or more charge carriers (10) from the furnace into a quenching chamber (2) of the device (1) in a period of 10 to 60 s. 12. Method for water spray quenching of thermally or thermochemically treated metallic workpieces (11), comprising the steps: - placing one or more thermochemically treated workpieces (11) in a charge volume V ₀ (5) of a water spray quenching apparatus (1); - atomizing water into air or nitrogen to produce a spray (300); - Flow through the charge volume V ₀ (5) with spray (300); whereby - the batch volume V ₀ (5) is from 0.045 to 3.5 m ³ (0.045 m ³ ≤ V ₀ ≤ 3.5 m ³ ); - the spray mist (300) has a water content of 2.5 to 40% by volume; - the spray (300) has a Sauter diameter of 20 to 2000 μm; and - a spray mist flow through the batch volume V ₀ (5) is 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s or the spray mist (300) in the batch volume V ₀ (5) is circulated with a spray mist volume flow of 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s will. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the one or more workpieces (11) from a temperature of 750 to 1100 ° C to a temperature of 20 °C to 250 °C. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s spray mist (300) are generated with the at least one atomizer (30, 30A, 30B, 30U, 30L). 15. The method according to claim 12, 13 or 14, characterized in that a spray throughput between an inlet and an outlet of the quenching chamber (2) is 0.05 to 25 m ³ /s.