APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR METALLURGICAL HEAT-TREATMENT

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APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR METALLURGICAL HEAT-TREATMENT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18414820 titled 'APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR METALLURGICAL HEAT-TREATMENT

The patent application describes an apparatus for metallurgical heat-treatment that utilizes a solid-oxide electrolyser, a furnace, and a heat-exchanger to improve efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide production.

The solid-oxide electrolyser electrolyses water to provide hydrogen to the furnace.
A portion of the hydrogen is combusted in a combustor to heat the furnace.
Another portion of the hydrogen creates a treatment atmosphere for heat-treating metal objects.
The water vapor output from the combustor is used to transfer heat to the solid-oxide electrolyser, enhancing its efficiency.
The apparatus reduces power consumption of the electrolyser by utilizing waste heat from the combustor.

Potential Applications: - Metallurgical heat-treatment processes in various industries. - Hydrogen production for industrial applications. - Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly heat-treatment methods.

Problems Solved: - Reducing carbon dioxide emissions in metallurgical processes. - Improving energy efficiency in heat-treatment operations. - Enhancing the performance of solid-oxide electrolysis technology.

Benefits: - Lower carbon footprint in metallurgical processes. - Cost savings through improved energy efficiency. - Enhanced performance and longevity of equipment.

Commercial Applications: Title: "Innovative Metallurgical Heat-Treatment Apparatus for Energy-Efficient Operations" This technology can be applied in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing for efficient and environmentally friendly heat-treatment processes.

Prior Art: Readers can explore prior research on solid-oxide electrolysis, hydrogen production, and waste heat utilization in metallurgical processes to understand the background of this innovation.

Frequently Updated Research: Stay informed about advancements in solid-oxide electrolysis technology, heat-treatment methods, and hydrogen production for industrial applications.

Questions about Metallurgical Heat-Treatment Apparatus: 1. How does the apparatus improve energy efficiency in metallurgical heat-treatment processes? - The apparatus utilizes waste heat from the combustor to enhance the efficiency of the solid-oxide electrolyser, reducing power consumption. 2. What are the potential cost savings associated with implementing this technology? - By reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, the technology can lead to significant cost savings for industries conducting heat-treatment processes.

Original Abstract Submitted

An apparatus for metallurgical heat-treatment includes a solid-oxide electrolyser, a furnace and a heat-exchanger. The electrolyser is arranged to electrolyse water and provide resulting hydrogen to the furnace. A first portion of the hydrogen from the electrolyser is combusted in a combustor to heat the furnace. A second portion provides a treatment atmosphere including hydrogen for the heat-treatment of a metal or metal alloy object. Water vapour output by the combustor is provided to the heat-exchanger which transfers heat within the water vapour to the solid-oxide electrolyser to improve or maintain its efficiency. In contrast to apparatus of the prior art, the apparatus does not produce carbon dioxide at the point of use. By applying waste heat, carried by the water vapour output from the combustor, to the electrolyser, the power consumption of the electrolyser is reduced for a given rate of electrolysis.