Bell-type furnace with a heat dispensing device positioned within a protective hood, in particular fed by an energy source external to the furnace chamber, for dispensing heat to annealing gas

A furnace for heat treating of annealing stock, wherein the furnace comprises:

• a closeable first furnace chamber which is designed for receiving and for heat treating of annealing stock by means of thermal interaction of the annealing stock with heatable or coolable first annealing gas in the first furnace chamber;
• a removable first protective hood by means of which the first furnace chamber can be closed;
• and
• a first heat exchange device which is at least partially located in the interior of the first furnace chamber closed by means of the first protective hood for exchanging heat with the first annealing gas within the first protective hood;
• wherein the heat exchange device is arranged in such a manner relative to a first annealing gas fan for driving the annealing gas in such a manner, that in each operational state of the furnace the annealing gas driven by the first annealing gas fan blows against the heat exchange device.

A method for the heat treatment of annealing stock in a furnace, wherein the method comprises:

• receiving the annealing stock in a closeable first furnace chamber;
• closing the first furnace chamber by means of a removable first protective hood;
• heat treating the annealing stock in the first furnace chamber, which has been closed with the use of the first protective hood, by means of thermally interacting the annealing stock with first annealing gas in the first furnace chamber, wherein by means of a heat exchange with a first heat exchange device that at least in part is situated in the interior of the closed first furnace chamber the first annealing gas is heated within the first protective hood;
• and
• wherein the heat exchange device is arranged relative to a first annealing gas fan for driving the annealing gas in such a manner that in each operating state of the furnace the annealing gas driven by the first annealing gas fan blows against the heat exchange device.