Process for supplying controlled atmosphere gases into a heat treatment furnace and heat treatment plant

摘要

A protective gas for a heat treatment furnace with several zones is generated from the exit gas from an air separation unit. The gas fraction containing mainly nitrogen is passed into the intake zone and if necessary the exit zone of the furnace without further removal of oxygen. The protective gas used in the heating or treatment zone is obtained from at least a part of the oxygen rich gas fraction from the air separation unit mixed with natural gas or propane by heating and catalytic conversion to mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Also claimed is a heat treatment furnace with a protective gas generating plant that includes an air separation unit (1) and a unit (2) for reacting O2 with a hydrocarbon gas as described above.