The invention relates to a device for the thermal or thermo-chemical treatment, more particularly calcination, of material (12), more particularly battery cathode material (14), comprising a housing (16), in which a process space (20) is located. The material (12), or carrying structures (40) loaded with the material (12), can be conveyed in a conveying direction (30) into or through the process space (20) by means of a conveying system (28). A process space atmosphere (50) prevailing in the process space (20) can be heated by means of a heating system (48). There is a process gas system (64), by means of which a process gas (66) can be fed to the process space (20), said process gas being required for the thermal treatment of the material (12). The process gas system (64) comprises a plurality of local injection units (68), which are arranged and configured such that process gas (66) can be released in a targeted manner onto the material (12) or onto the carrying structures (40) loaded with material (12), the process gas being released in a plurality of local process gas streams (70), each having a main stream direction (72). The invention also specifies a method for the thermal or thermo-chemical treatment of material (12), in which process gas (66) is released in a targeted manner onto the material (12) or onto the carrying structures (40) loaded with material (12), the process gas being released in a plurality of local process gas streams (70), each having a main stream direction (72).

Examples are described for predicting a thermal profile of a product in an oven using temperature measurements for each zone of the oven. An example method of producing a predicted thermal profile of a product in an oven includes measuring the temperature of each oven zone using a zone temperature sensor as the product transitions through the zone, and calculating the predicted thermal profile of the product using a baseline temperature profile and the measured temperatures of each zone at the time the product is in each zone. Parameters of the predicted thermal profile may be compared to thermal targets corresponding to a process specification for the product in order to determine whether the product was processed according to the process specification.

Examples are described for predicting a thermal profile of a product in an oven using temperature measurements for each zone of the oven. An example method of producing a predicted thermal profile of a product in an oven includes measuring the temperature of each oven zone using a zone temperature sensor as the product transitions through the zone, and calculating the predicted thermal profile of the product using a baseline temperature profile and the measured temperatures of each zone at the time the product is in each zone. Parameters of the predicted thermal profile may be compared to thermal targets corresponding to a process specification for the product in order to determine whether the product was processed according to the process specification.

Moving metal strips can be heat treated with any number or combination of dimensionally variable tempers across widths, lengths, or thicknesses of a metal strip. To provide dimensionally variable heat treatment, an apparatus can include one or more heating units suitable to increase the temperature of a metal strip moving proximate the apparatus to a heat treatment temperature. The apparatus can also include one or more cooling units positioned near the heating units to absorb heat and cool the metal strip to minimize the amount of heat transferred from a first region of the metal strip that is to be treated to a second region of the metal strip that is not to be treated.

Moving metal strips can be heat treated with any number or combination of dimensionally variable tempers across widths, lengths, or thicknesses of a metal strip. To provide dimensionally variable heat treatment, an apparatus can include one or more heating units suitable to increase the temperature of a metal strip moving proximate the apparatus to a heat treatment temperature. The apparatus can also include one or more cooling units positioned near the heating units to absorb heat and cool the metal strip to minimize the amount of heat transferred from a first region of the metal strip that is to be treated to a second region of the metal strip that is not to be treated.

A system and method is provided for determining a speed of a belt moving along a transport axis in conveyor oven tunnel. The method includes providing a sensor module, capturing signals, processing the signals, and outputting least one speed estimate. The sensor module is disposed upon the moving belt. The sensor module includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. The optical sensors are spaced apart by a distance D along the transport axis. Capturing signals includes capturing first and second signals from the first and second sensors respectively as they are transported along the belt and within the oven tunnel. Processing the signals includes determining a delay T between the signals. The speed estimate is based upon D divided by T.

A system and method is provided for determining a speed of a belt moving along a transport axis in conveyor oven tunnel. The method includes providing a sensor module, capturing signals, processing the signals, and outputting least one speed estimate. The sensor module is disposed upon the moving belt. The sensor module includes a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor. The optical sensors are spaced apart by a distance D along the transport axis. Capturing signals includes capturing first and second signals from the first and second sensors respectively as they are transported along the belt and within the oven tunnel. Processing the signals includes determining a delay T between the signals. The speed estimate is based upon D divided by T.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a metal strip to be heat-treated, contained in a continuously operated heat treatment furnace and proceeding in an essentially horizontal direction and suspended position in a zone arranged between elements meant for supporting the metal strip when said metal strip is being cooled. The trajectory of the metal strip is measured by a measuring device, and on the basis of the obtained measurement results, the metal strip is subjected to a controlled cooling agent jet, so that the trajectory of the metal strip, at least in the zone located between the elements meant for supporting the metal strip, is made to proceed in between devices installed around the trajectory and meant for conveying the cooling agent.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a metal strip to be heat-treated, contained in a continuously operated heat treatment furnace and proceeding in an essentially horizontal direction and suspended position in a zone arranged between elements meant for supporting the metal strip when said metal strip is being cooled. The trajectory of the metal strip is measured by a measuring device, and on the basis of the obtained measurement results, the metal strip is subjected to a controlled cooling agent jet, so that the trajectory of the metal strip, at least in the zone located between the elements meant for supporting the metal strip, is made to proceed in between devices installed around the trajectory and meant for conveying the cooling agent.

A load-moving system and a method for controlling the load-moving system for a heat treating furnace are described where the method includes detecting and transmitting signals and positions of the load-moving system as the load-moving system traverses a plurality of positions into, in, and out of the heat treating furnace. The signals being detected include one or more of: current, torque, or power used by the load-moving system at a determined position and/or time.