Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of a multizone calcination (firing) furnace for production of high-quality nickel-rich cathode material for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. A high-quality oxygen-rich atmosphere is maintained to ensure the quality of the cathode material. An atmosphere control system continuously measures and analyzes the composition of the calcination furnace atmosphere in different zones and adjusts the flowrate of oxygen-rich atmosphere into the furnace to optimize the calcination process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of a multizone calcination (firing) furnace for production of high-quality nickel-rich cathode material for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. A high-quality oxygen-rich atmosphere is maintained to ensure the quality of the cathode material. An atmosphere control system continuously measures and analyzes the composition of the calcination furnace atmosphere in different zones and adjusts the flowrate of oxygen-rich atmosphere into the furnace to optimize the calcination process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of a multizone calcination (firing) furnace for production of high-quality nickel-rich cathode material for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. A high-quality oxygen-rich atmosphere is maintained to ensure the quality of the cathode material. An atmosphere control system continuously measures and analyzes the composition of the calcination furnace atmosphere in different zones and adjusts the flowrate of oxygen-rich atmosphere into the furnace to optimize the calcination process.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for nitriding metal articles, wherein the nitriding potential of the nitriding atmosphere is controlled as a function of the molecular weights of the inlet and outlet gases from the nitriding apparatus, as measured by molecular weight sensors located outside (external to) the furnace chamber.

Abstract: Described herein is a method that can be used for heat treating a metal in at least one of the following processes: carburizing, carbonitriding, nitrocarburizing, and neutral carbon potential annealing operations that are used in a 1 atmosphere pressure furnace and in an atmosphere that is oxygen free and comprises nitrogen and at least one hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for making a metal product with improved surface characteristics. The method provides for treating the metal product through a method including: heating the metal product; exposing the outer surface of the metal product to a controlled environment; and oxidising the outer surface of the metal product. The heating may take the metal product to an elevated temperature, the elevated temperature of the metal product being at least 725° C. The method further includes a controlled environment around the metal product which is controlled with respect to the atmosphere around the metal product, and in particular the nitrogen and/or oxygen and/or hydrogen content thereof. The result is a more consistent surface for elongate metal products, having a more consistent colour to the surface, a more durable and hard wearing surface and/or a surface which is not prone to flaking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for galvanizing an elongated object, such as, but not limited to, a metal strip, wire, or rod, using gaseous nitrogen, a mixture of gaseous and liquid nitrogen, and combinations thereof is described herein.

Abstract: Described herein is a method that can be used for heat treating a metal in at least one of the following processes: carburizing, carbonitriding, nitrocarburizing, and neutral carbon potential annealing operations that are used in a 1 atmosphere pressure furnace and in an atmosphere that is oxygen free and comprises nitrogen and at least one hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for adjusting the amount of cryogen delivered to a mill stand (1) using a non-optical sensor (16a) to measure at least one operating parameter selected from the group consisting of roll stand parameters, rolled product parameters, and cryogen parameters. Output signals, are generated by the non-optical sensor and a controller (17) calculates numeric values based on the signals. When the calculated numeric values reach a predetermined set point value that correlates with mill stand temperature, the flow of cryogen is adjusted to disperse a desired amount of cryogenic fluid to said mill stand (1) to control rolling temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a non-linear cryogenic cooling profile (16) for the purpose of improving rolled product (5) uniformity based on at least one operating parameter in a cold rolling process; and generating the non-linear cryogenic cooling profile (16) as a function of throttling gas pressure.

Abstract: A process is set forth for cold rolling of a metal strip, wherein the metal strip passes through a nip between two counter-rotating rolls, driven in counter-rotation substantially at room temperature, wherein a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, is blown into the area of the nip or roll gap. A roll stand according to the present invention comprises two counter-rotating rolls forming a nip or rolling gap and nozzle means for blowing a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, through at least one orifice of said nozzle means into the area of the roll nip. Preferably, the temperature of the cold and/or liquefied gas is appreciably lower than room temperature.

Abstract: A process is set forth for cold rolling of a metal strip, wherein the metal strip passes through a nip between two counter-rotating rolls, driven in counter-rotation substantially at room temperature, wherein a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, is blown into the area of the nip or roll gap. A roll stand according to the present invention comprises two counter-rotating rolls forming a nip or rolling gap and nozzle means for blowing a cold and/or liquefied gas, preferably an inert gas, through at least one orifice of said nozzle means into the area of the roll nip. Preferably, the temperature of the cold and/or liquefied gas is appreciably lower than room temperature.