Abstract: This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for producing high productivity carburizing. A process is introduced that uses a gas mixture made up of CO, H2, CO2, H2O, CH4 and N2, such that the product of the % CO and % H2 is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO2 is greater than 10; and the ratio of H2/H2O is greater than about 10. The gas mixture is controlled for a short time. A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel is also introduced. This reactor is composed of a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around the first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around the second central tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for producing high productivity carburizing. A process is introduced that uses a gas mixture made up of CO, H2, CO2, H2O, CH4 and N2, such that the product of the %CO and %H2 is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO2 is greater than 10; and the ratio of H2/H2O is greater than about 10. The gas mixture is controlled for a short time. A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel is also introduced. This reactor is composed of a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around the first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around the second central tube.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process and apparatus for producing high productivity carburizing. A process is introduced that uses a gas mixture made up of CO, H2, CO2, H2O, CH4 and N2, such that the product of the % CO and % H2 is greater than about 1600; the ratio of CO/CO2 is greater than 10; and the ratio of H2/H2O is greater than about 10. The gas mixture is controlled for a short time. A reactor for generating a gas mixture for carburizing steel is also introduced. This reactor is composed of a cylindrically symmetric body; a first central tube containing electrical heating elements for gas flow; a second central tube concentrically disposed around the first central tube; and a plurality of catalyst beds disposed in an annular space in a segmented fashion around the second central tube.

Abstract: A small system for efficiently producing low flow rates of a nitrogen or nitrogen/hydrogen stream from an initial feed which also contains oxygen, employing a defined catalytic reactor unit producing product at very high space velocities.

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: A small system for efficiently producing low flow rates of a nitrogen or nitrogen/hydrogen stream from an initial feed which also contains oxygen, employing a defined catalytic reactor unit producing product at very high space velocities.

Abstract: An endogenerator is provided in which CO and H.sub.2 are generated as primary products of hydrocarbon oxidation. The reactor is a compact reactor and operates autothermally without auxiliary heating means.

Abstract: An endogenerator is provided in which CO and H.sub.2 are generated as primary products of hydrocarbon oxidation. Noble metal catalysts such as platinum (Pt) and particularly rhodium (Rh), are loaded on a porous ceramic support, of example, an alumina carrier. In the endogenerator reactor little or no CO and H.sub.2 are produced by the slow and energy-intensive reforming reactions and this allows for a compact reactor which operates autothermally without auxiliary heating means, and with high space velocities wherein space velocity is defined as the number of standard cubic feet per hour of output gas per cubic foot of the catalyst carrier. Preferred hydrocarbons are methane or propane, preferred oxidants are nitrogen/oxygen mixtures with from 5% oxygen up to 100% oxygen. The endogenerator of the present invention provides a process and apparatus that generates the required reducing gases CO and H.sub.2 for heat treating applications which require leaner atmospheres and lower carbon potentials.

Abstract: A closed-loop control system controls introduction of either water or hydrogen into a furnace region where a part is subjected to an elevated temperature to accomplish a heat treatment process. The heat treatment process causes the part to participate in reduction and/or oxidation reactions which remain in balance at the elevated temperature so long as a hydrogen/water ratio set point is maintained. The system includes an oxygen probe in communication with the furnace region for providing (i) an oxygen output indicative of sensed oxygen concentration within furnace region, and (ii) a temperature output indicative of temperature therein. A controller determines from the oxygen output and temperature output, a measured ratio of hydrogen to water within the furnace region and compares the measured ratio with the hydrogen/water ratio set point, and provides a correction signal output in accordance with a determined difference between the measured ratio and the ratio set point.

Abstract: A method for improving the strength of wire or strip having a composition which consists essentially of an austenitic metal alloy selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys of the AISI 200 and 300 series and non-stainless steel alloys containing iron, manganese, chromium, and carbon, said alloy having an Md temperature of no higher than about 100.degree. C and an Ms temperature of no higher than about minus 100.degree. C comprising the following step:Stretching the wire or strip uniaxially at a strain of at least about 10 percent and at a temperature no higher than about minus 75.degree. C in such a manner that the wire or strip has a martensite phase of at least about 50 percent by volume and an austenite phase of at least about 10 percent by volume.

Abstract: A method for improving the strength and toughness of an austenitic metal alloy selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys of the AISI 200 and 300 series and non-stainless steel alloys containing iron, manganese, chromium, and carbon, said alloy having an Md temperature of no higher than about 100.degree. C and an Ms temperature of no higher than about minus 100.degree. C comprising the following steps:A. deforming the alloy at a strain of at least about 10 percent at a temperature in the range of about Md minus 50.degree. C to about Md plus 50.degree. C, said Md temperature being that of the alloy undergoing deformation, in such a manner that the material has a martensite phase of no greater than about 10 percent by volume and an austenite phase of at least about 90 percent by volume; andB. deforming the material produced in step (a) at a strain of at least about 10 percent and at a temperature no higher than minus 75.degree.