Fluidized bed gas distributor system for elevated temperature operation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for the debonding and sand core removal of sand cores from cast parts, the heat treating of metal parts and the removal of organic contamination from metal parts, which is utilizing a fluid bed furnace having an improved fluidizing gas distributor which discharges fluidized gas in a downward direction away from the parts in the fluidized bed.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A method for heat treating metal parts, the method comprising: 
 providing a fluid bed reactor or furnace having a gas phase distributor that include a gas phase piping array discharging into a fluid bed of granular solids through a plurality of tuyeres coupled to and mounted beneath the piping array in a vertical elevation such that the granular solids below the piping array are fluidized thereby causing the fluidizing gas in the piping array to indirectly heat the fluidized bed prior to entering the fluidized bed through the tuyeres; and    feeding the metal parts to the fluidized bed for heat treatment.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the gas phase distributor discharges the fluidizing gas through openings or ports in a bottom portion of the piping array.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the gas phase distributor further comprises a heat exchanger in a feed line to the gas phase distributor such that the heat exchanger location is above the fluidizing gas distribution ports and submerged in the fluidized solids, thereby permitting indirect heat transfer from the fluidizing gas prior to the gas phase distributor.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the metal parts are of aluminum.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluidizing gas is fuel combusted with air.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fuel is a gaseous fuel.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fuel is a liquid fuel.  
   
   
       19 . A method for debonding sand cores from metal castings, the method comprising: 
 providing a fluid bed reactor or furnace having a gas phase distributor that include a gas phase piping array discharging into a fluid bed of granular solids through a plurality of tuyeres coupled to and mounted beneath the piping array in a vertical elevation such that the granular solids below the piping array are fluidized thereby causing the fluidizing gas in the piping array to indirectly heat the fluidized bed prior to entering the fluidized bed through the tuyeres; and    feeding the metal castings having sand cores to the fluidized bed for debonding.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the gas phase distributor discharges the fluidizing gas through openings or ports in a bottom portion of the piping array.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the gas phase distributor further comprises a heat exchanger in a feed line to the gas phase distributor such that the heat exchanger location is above the fluidizing gas distribution ports and submerged in the fluidized solids, thereby permitting indirect heat transfer from the fluidizing gas prior to the gas phase distributor.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the metal parts are of aluminum.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the fluidizing gas is fuel combusted with air.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the fuel is a gaseous fuel.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the fuel is a liquid fuel.