Optimising Gas Quenching Technology through Modelling of Heat Transfer

Gas Quenching represents an environmentally friendly alternative to more commonly-used oil quenching. Yet,the performances of this technology remain limited in terms of cooling rates reached compared to oil quenching. Distortion and process homogeneity also have to be controlled carefully. The efficiency of the gas quenching process fully depends on the heat transfer between the gas and the quenched parts. The goal of this study is the optimisation of the gas quenching process efficiency through a better understanding of the heat transfer phenomena involved. The study has been performed with modelling means and validated by an experimental approach. The configuration of the gas flow has a major influence on the heat transfer phenomena between the gas and the parts. The fluid dynamics modelling approach performed in this study allows to optimise the heat transfer phenomena. New gas quenching processes allowing enhanced gas quenching performance through higher cooling rates can be thereby identified. The new solutions have been validated in experimental and industrial conditions. Results obtained allow to expect significant improvement of high pressure gas quenching technology.