Systems and methods for controlling heat treating atmospheres and processes based upon measurement of ammonia concentration
OwnerVytas Braziunasinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for determining an ammonia content of an ammonia-based atmosphere. The systems and methods provide a measurement vessel (70). The systems and methods provide an ammonia-based atmosphere conveyed into the measurement vessel (70). The systems and methods provide water conveyed into the measurement vessel (70), with the water causing dissociation of the ammonia from the atmosphere within the measurement vessel (70). The systems and methods measure a flow rate of water into the measurement vessel (70) during the dissociation. The systems and methods determine the ammonia content in the atmosphere based, at least in part, upon the flow rate of water.
Claims29
A heat-treating system for a steel part comprising:
- a heat-treating furnace for receiving said steel part;
- an atmosphere source of an ammonia based atmosphere conveyed to said furnace for reaction with said steel part;
- a heat source connected to said furnace for maintaining a predetermined temperature of said atmosphere;
- a water source including a flow meter;
- a vessel connected to said furnace and said water source;
- and
- a processor for determining ammonia content of the atmosphere as a function of amount of ammonia dissociated within said vessel, said amount determined, at least in part, by measuring the flow of water into said vessel.
A method for determining an ammonia content of an ammonia-based atmosphere comprising the steps of:
- providing a measurement vessel;
- conveying said ammonia-based atmosphere into said measurement vessel;
- conveying water into said measurement vessel to cause dissociation of ammonia from the atmosphere within said measurement vessel;
- measuring a flow rate of water into the measurement vessel during the dissociation;
- and
- determining the ammonia content in the atmosphere as a function of said dissociation based, at least in part, upon the flow rate of water.
A method for monitoring a heat-treating system for a steel part, said method comprising:
- providing a furnace to house said steel part;
- introducing an ammonia based atmosphere into said furnace to react with said steel part;
- providing a water source;
- providing a flow meter connected to said water source;
- providing a measurement vessel connected to said furnace and said water source;
- filling said measurement vessel with said ammonia atmosphere and said water source;
- measuring the flow rate of said water source;
- and
- determining dissociation of ammonia in said system, at least in part, from said flow rate measurement in said measurement vessel.
A method for monitoring a heat-treating system for a steel part, said method comprising:
- providing a furnace to house said steel part;
- introducing an ammonia based atmosphere into said furnace to react with said steel part;
- providing a water source;
- providing a flow meter connected to said water source;
- providing a measurement vessel connected to said furnace and said water source;
- filling said measurement vessel with said ammonia atmosphere and said water source;
- measuring the flow rate of said water source;
- and
- controlling said atmosphere, at least in part, by said flow rate measurement.
A measurement system for determining ammonia content of an ammonia-based atmosphere as a function of atmosphere dissociation comprising:
- a measurement vessel;
- means for conveying said ammonia-based atmosphere into said measurement vessel;
- means for conveying water into said measurement vessel;
- means for measuring a flow rate of water into said measurement vessel;
- and
- means for determining ammonia content of the atmosphere as a function of the amount of ammonia dissociation in said vessel based, at least in part, upon said means for measuring said flow rate of water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.