OPTIMIZATION OF HEATING WITH HEAT-TREATMENT IN FLUIDIZED-BED

1. Intensive movement of particles resulting from pseudoliquification increases the rate of heat transfer, making it possible to shorten heating times and also ensure even distribution of temperatures in the heating chamber. The heat-transfer coefficient is somewhat lower in a fluidized bed than in a salt bath but 2.5-4 times higher than in furnaces with a controlled atmosphere. 2. The particles constituting the fluidized bed have physicochemical stability in a broad range of temperatures as compared with the salts or molten metals used in baths. 3. A fluidized bed can also be used as a cooling agent for hardening machine parts. © 1980 Plenum Publishing Corporation.