Setting and controlling desired redox potentials in gases

摘要

Method for controlling desired redox potential in hydrogencontaining protective gases used in high-temperature furnaces in powder-metallurgical processes. A sample of the protective gas is withdrawn from the furnace and the redox potential of the sample measured at the high temperature to produce treated bodies of good quality. Humidifying the gases blowing through the furnace is employed to erase or minimize a deviation of the redox potential of the sample from a predetermined redox potential. Ax oxygen-hydrogen mixture may be obtained by electrolysis of water as a function of the measured redox potential and this mixture may be used for humidification. In this manner good quality end products are assured despite fluctuations in throughput and properties of material entering the furnace.