Process for rapid quenching.

摘要

A method of rapidly quenching articles in a fluidized bed or in a collapsed bed, wherein the bed comprises fine solid particles. A high conductivity gas may be used to transfer heat to or from the fluidized bed or the collapsed bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The high conductivity gas may be used to fluidize the bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The rate of heat transfer from or to the article quenched is improved by moving the article being being quenched relative to the quenching bed or by moving the quenching bed about the article.