Heat transfer from typical loads within gas quenching furnace

Gas quenching in an industrial furnace is considered. The flow and thermal fields in the furnace with two different charges, plates and cylinders, in axial flow are studied numerically. Details of the thermal field characteristics are presented. A variation in heat transfer of maximum 125% is observed in the whole basket, the maximum heat transfer being obtained on the first bodies of the charge. The heat transfer is found to be uniformly distributed in the middle of the charge, with mean values 50% higher than on the sides. Recommendations for improvement of current vacuum quenching furnaces design are proposed.