2. Carbon monoxide- and hydrocarbon-based atmospheres

2.1 Atmosphere generation

In the case of carburizing with the CO molecule in a CO – H ₂ mixture, the atmosphere is generally produced in one of two ways either outside the furnace from the endothermic generator technique, or directly inside the furnace from the instillation of organic liquid.

• Endothermic generators are chemical reactors heated to around 1,050°C in which an oxidation of natural gas in the absence of air, results in an atmosphere essentially composed of carbon monoxide, dihydrogen and chemically inert dinitrogen. Figure 2...