Patent ID: 8313586
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: C21D,C23C

Abstract:
1. A method for the heat treatment of metal materials in an industrial furnace having a heating chamber having a treatment chamber and a quenching chamber, the method comprising: utilizing a first treatment medium, having components of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor in addition to minimum components of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen; utilizing a second treatment medium utilized for a carburizing process; and providing a processing chamber in the heating chamber of the industrial furnace for the recycling of protective gas, the processing chamber being structurally or functionally associated with the treatment chamber, wherein the components carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapor catalytically react with fed hydrocarbon as a reaction gas to carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and the reactions are to be accelerated by utilizing a catalyst at a catalyst bed, such that the protective gas then has a controlled C potential in the treatment chamber after said reactions; wherein the protective gas processed in this manner is then fed to the treatment chamber of the heating chamber in a re-circulating manner.