Combustion Engineering, Inc.

Everett C Lewis

Harley A Grant

An apparatus (10) and a method for applying a chromized coating (46,60,62,66) to one or more of the surfaces of an article (44,56,58,64) particularly in those situations in which the article (44,56,58,64) is intended to be employed in an application wherein the article (44,56,58,64) will be subject to corrosion. The subject apparatus (10) includes a foundation (12), a retort (16) for receiving the articles (44,56,58,64) to which the chromized coating is to be applied, an inlet (24) formed in the retort (16) for supplying a fluid medium therewithin, an outlet (26) formed in the retort (16) for enabling the fluid medium to exit therefrom after passing therethrough, supports (14) for supporting the retort (16) in spaced relation to the foundation (12), a furnace (28) which is movable to and from a position wherein the furnace (28) is located in surrounding relation to the retort (16) such that the furnace (28) is operative to effect the heating of the retort (16) for a preestablished period of time at a predetermined temperature, an inlet (38) formed in the furnace (28) for supplying a fluid medium therewithin, an outlet (40) formed in the furnace (28) for enabling the fluid medium to exit therefrom after passing therethrough, and seals (42) for sealing off the furnace (28) and thereby also the retort (16) from the environment surrounding the furnace (28) while the retort (16) is being heated by the furnace (28).

Apparatus for and method of chromizing articles

A chromium coating process for coating large size articles such as boiler tubes and boiler tube assemblies, comprises the steps of: (a) mounting on a stationary foundation a retort having a removable cover; (b) covering the articles to be coated in the retort by a chromium source powder containing 3% of ammonium chloride and 42% ferrochromium, the balance consisting of alumina; (c) sealing the cover on the retort; (d) heating the retort to a uniform temperature of 2100.degree. F. for 10 hours; (e) supplying concurrent with the commencement of the heating an inert gas to the interior of the retort; (f) terminating the heating of the retort and shutting off the flow of the inert gas to the retort; (g) cooling the retort and the articles within the retort uniformly throughout to a temperature of 400.degree. F.; (h) removing the cover from the retort; (i) removing the coated articles therefrom.

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McDonald, TN, United States of America

Everett C Lewis