Patent ID: 8679264

Claim:
A process for generating an atmosphere for the heat treatment of metal parts in a furnace, the process comprising the steps of a) introducing a first mixture into at least one phase of a heat treatment cycle or at least one zone of the heat-treating furnace, the mixture comprising i) gaseous CO 2 and ii) ethanol in the form of fine droplets or vapor, to thereby form a second mixture of hydrogen and of CO according to the reaction: CO 2 +C 2 H 5 OH→3CO+3H 2 wherein a temperature of the at least one phase of a heat treatment cycle or at least one zone of the heat-treating furnace is greater than 750° C., and b) introducing a third inflammable mixture comprising gaseous CO 2 alone or mixed with nitrogen into at least one phase of the heat treatment cycle or at least one zone of the heat-treating furnace wherein a temperature is less than 750° C.