Abstract: An assembly configured to modify a surface or feature of a workpiece by hot isostatic pressing. The assembly comprising: a flexible membrane adapted to at least partially form an enclosure around the workpiece; and a former for placement adjacent to the workpiece, the former being configured to modify the surface or feature of the workpiece. A method of modifying a surface or feature of a workpiece, the workpiece having been previously formed by an additive manufacturing technique, by hot isostatic pressing. The method comprising: placing the previously-formed workpiece adjacent to a former adapted to modify the surface or feature of the workpiece; enclosing the workpiece in an enclosure at least partially formed by a membrane; and performing a hot isostatic pressing process on the workpiece.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus 10 for heat treating metals or metallic components includes a fluidized bed furnace 20 and a removable insert 30 which is accommodated within the fluidized bed 50 of the furnace 20. The removable insert 30 enables the geometry of the fluidized bed 50 to be optimized with respect to the size and shape of a component 70 which is to be heated.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound. In particular, the disclosure provides a device and method used to produce a tubular structure made of a refractory metal compound by reacting a green tubular structure made of a refractory metal with at least one reactive gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the conveyance of fine-grained solids in a fluidized bed reactor and also to a corresponding plant. It is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a central tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the central tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the central tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidizied bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of fine-grained solids, in particular gypsum, in which the solids are heated to a temperature of 50 to 1000° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (1), and to a corresponding plant. To improve the energy utilization, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a preferably central gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (21) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (2) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas, and to adjust the gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (2) such that the particle Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (2) between 0.02 and 2 and in the mixing chamber (21) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for the heat treatment of solids containing titanium and possibly further metal oxides, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 950° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (1). To improve the energy utilization, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 and in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of about 630° C. in a fluidized-bed reactor (1). To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bet (10) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (10) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 1150° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (8). To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through at least one gas supply tube (9) into a mixing chamber region (15) of the reactor (8), the gas supply tube (9) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (12) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (12) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (9) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (12) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (15) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: A parts container for minimizing oxidation of heat-treated parts during transfer in an oxygen-containing environment. The container includes: a heat-resistant vessel having an interior space and including oppositely positioned first and second apertures; a heat-resistant, porous support element fluidly connected to the first aperture to provide a bottom to for the vessel; and a disposed in the interior space a plurality of fluidizable granular solids and at least one heat-treatment part. The fluidizable granular solids provide a transient protective environment for the parts after heat treatment thereby minimizing exposure of the parts to oxygen in the surrounding environment. Additional embodiments and methods of use are also described.

Abstract: A system for cooling a hot rolled steel product at a retarded cooling rate comprises a laying head for forming the product into a continuous series of rings. A conveyor receives the rings from the laying head at a receiving station and transports the rings in a non-concentric overlapping pattern through a cooling zone to a reforming station at which the rings are delivered from the conveyor and gathered into upstanding coils. The rings are covered with a granular insulation material while being transported through the cooling zone.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for annealing strand wires or strips in a fluidized bed reactor having an atmosphere of fluidized gases flowing through fluidized particles. The method provides for stratifying the atmosphere of fluidized gases by passing a reducing gas through the fluidized particles in the fluidized bed. The wires are passed between the fluidized particles at a location near the bottom of the fluidized bed. Finally, an amount of oxygen-containing gas is injected on top of said fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and process for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31). As the retort (31) is rotated, particles of the particulate material are constantly intermingled with each other and the walls of the retort (31).

Abstract: A method for fluidizing particulate material within a retort (22) mounted on a horizontal shaft or axle (36) for rotation. Gas enters retort (22) through a pipe (52) extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft (36) and is exhausted through pipe manifold (58). As retort (22) is rotated, particles of particulate material (23) are constantly intermingled and in contact with each other and the walls (31) of the retort (22). An injector assembly (60) may be connected to a retort (51) for injection of an additional particulate material (56).

Abstract: A method of making flat steel strapping or strip from rods, bars or slit steel includes the steps of heating a piece of steel to an elevated temperature greater than the upper critical temperature, hot rolling the steel and quenching the rolled steel from a temperature that is above the upper critical temperature or in the range of the lower critical temperature to the upper critical temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diffusion of elements into or out of small metallic particles, the apparatus consisting of a sealed retort 22 horizontally mounted on an axle 36 with the retort subtended in the interior of a heating device 11. Gas and pressure controls communicating through said axle 36 control the interior atmosphere of the retort 26. Small particles 23 to be modified are placed within the retort 22 and the retort is rotated and heated while maintaining the desired gaseous atmosphere. Rotation causes fluid-like tumbling of the particles resulting in uniform heat transfer, thorough mixing and engenders an exchange of ions between the surface and near surfaces of said particles and the atmosphere of said retort or between the particles and other material placed within said retort.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a hardened outer shell (40) on a refractory metal workpiece (36) preferably heated in a fluidized bed of metallic oxide particles (38) in an environment of an inert gas and a reactive gas with the reactive gas either oxygen or nitrogen. The workpieces (36) are heated in the fluidized bed to a temperature between 800 F. and 1600 F. for a period of over two hours to form hardened outer shell (40) in two layers (42, 44). Outer layer (42) is an oxide or nitride layer having a thickness (T1) between 10 microns and 25 microns. Inner layer (44) is a case hardened layer of the refractory metal having a thickness (T2) between 25 microns and 75 microns. In one embodiment workpieces (56) may be cold worked by peening from finely divided metal oxide particles (54) to provide a uniform surface texture for subsequent hardening.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat between workpieces and a container (10, 10A). The container (10, 10A) has particulate material (28) occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the container (10, 10A) and the container (10, 10A) is rotated to fluidize the particulate material which contacts the workpieces (30) for transferring heat between the container (10, 10A) and the workpieces (30). The container (10, 10A) is enclosed to provide a sealed volume within the container (10, 10A). A predetermined gas may be provided through an inlet (17, 31A) to the container (10, 10A) and gas may be exhausted from an outlet (16, 133A) from the container (10, 10A). The container may either be heated or cooled as desired.

Abstract: A fluidized bed is disclosed for the continuous quenching of steel wires. The fluidized bed is provided with an air convection cooler with high cooling capacity. The temperature of the fluidized bed is regulated by means of a cooling air flow. Such a bed is applicable in the patenting operation, in which the carrying gas for a fluidized bed is taken from the exhaust gases of the austenitizing furnace.

Abstract: A composite cathode active material/current collector product useable as a component of a cathode for secondary batteries without the need for a separate current collector, which comprises a wire having a conductive interior portion of a transition metal and an exterior portion of an intercalatable layered transition metal chalcogenide, is made by a method which involves reacting a transition metal wire with a vapor of a chalcogen or a hydrogen chalcogenide.