An injection device for discharging gas, a process gas system for supplying a process gas, and an apparatus and method for thermally or thermochemically processing materials.

Abstract

An injection device (56) for delivering a gas (54), in particular a process gas (54), to a material (12), in particular a battery cathode material (14) to be calcined, has at least one inlet (58) through which the gas (54) can be supplied to the injection device (56) and at least one outlet (60) through which the gas (54) can be discharged from the injection device (56), the inlet and outlet being connected to each other by a flow path (62) for the gas (54). According to the invention, the flow path (62) comprises a heat exchanger (64) with a heat exchanger housing (68) accessible from the outside to the ambient atmosphere, and a passage arrangement (70) housed in the heat exchanger housing. The passage arrangement (70) has a first flow passage (72.1) and a second flow passage (72.2) between which a direction change area (74.1) is arranged so that the first and second flow passages (72.1, 72.2) can be traversed by gases (54) having different main flow directions. The invention further relates to a process gas system (52) for supplying the gases (54) and to an apparatus (10) and a method for thermally or thermochemically treating materials.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an injection device for releasing gases, a process gas system for supplying a process gas and an apparatus and method for the thermal or thermochemical treatment, in particular the calcination, of materials, in particular battery cathode materials. [Background technology]

[0002] With this type of device and with this type of method, for example in the production of lithium-ion batteries in a furnace, calcination of the powdered cathode material takes place in a special atmosphere, in particular an inert or oxygen-containing atmosphere.

[0003] The powdered cathode material, for example a lithium-containing transition metal precursor, is calcined in a furnace to form a lithium transition metal oxide. In this process, water (H ) is produced from the lithium-containing transition metal precursor, depending on whether a lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate precursor is used. 2 O) or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is released as exhaust gas.

[0004] To maintain an oxygen-containing atmosphere, fresh process gas is supplied to the process chamber, and the process chamber atmosphere is continuously or intermittently evacuated to remove the resulting water (H 2 O) or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is removed from the combustion chamber. The exhaust creates a space of low gas particle pressure, which in turn requires a continuous additional supply of fresh process gas.

[0005] In principle, however, devices and methods of this kind can also be used for the thermal treatment of other materials, which may be, for example, products that have to be treated accordingly thermally or thermochemically under the influence of a process gas.

[0006] The temperatures in such furnaces can reach up to 2000° C. In the following, the invention is explained using the example of the heat treatment of the above-mentioned cathode materials. The temperatures at which such materials are calcined depend, as is known per se, on the material to be treated and on the type of furnace used.

[0007] In known devices and methods for calcining materials, the process gas injected into the process chamber is mixed with the atmosphere already present in the process chamber on the way to the material to be treated. This mixture that finally reaches the material therefore contains, on the one hand, a relatively small concentration of the process gas, and, on the other hand, in particular, the waste gases already present in the process chamber atmosphere. Therefore, the effect of the process gas on the material to be treated cannot be satisfactorily adjusted, and the management and control of the atmosphere surrounding the material is only possible to a limited extent.

[0008] Furthermore, in this type of treatment, it is necessary to maintain a constant thermal level in the process chamber of the furnace. To ensure this, the process gas must be appropriately heated to a temperature that prevails in the process chamber. Usually, this heating of the process gas is performed actively, i.e. by a heating unit while consuming the energy required to generate heat. The actively heated process gas is then guided to the treatment site and into the adjacent area around the battery cathode material, for example by a gas flow generated by a blower in a gas line that is mostly outside the furnace, but also partially in the furnace wall. In order to avoid losses of thermal energy, costly and complicated measures are required to insulate the gas line that is guided outside the furnace.

[0009] However, the temperature of the supplied process gas is usually much lower than the temperature of the process chamber atmosphere. The supplied process gas is often not heated sufficiently before reaching the material to be treated, or loses thermal energy on the way there, which may result in an incomplete reaction. Furthermore, the cooler process gas may absorb heat from the material carrier or from other components of the transport system, which may result in thermal stresses, which may lead to higher wear and possibly premature failure of the furnace materials and components. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an injection device for supplying a gas, a process gas system for supplying a process gas and an apparatus and method for thermal or thermochemical processing, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and optimally transfers the heat present in the process chamber to the gas / process gas in a smooth and energy-efficient manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by an injection device for delivering a gas, in particular a process gas, to a material, in particular a battery cathode material to be calcined, which injection device according to the invention comprises: a) at least one inlet through which gas can be supplied to the injection device and at least one outlet through which gas can be discharged from the injection device, the inlet and the outlet being connected to each other by a flow path for the gas; b) the flow path has a heat exchanger with a heat exchanger housing through which the ambient atmosphere can reach from the outside, the passage arrangement being accommodated in the heat exchanger housing, c) The passage arrangement is a first flow passage and a second flow passage, with a direction change area formed between the first and second flow passages such that gases having different primary flow directions can flow through the first and second flow passages.

[0012] With this type of injection device, the heat of the process chamber atmosphere already present in the process chamber can be effectively utilized for heating the process gas, which leads to an overall improvement in the overall efficiency. For this purpose, the injection device is arranged in a furnace or the like in such a way that the existing process chamber atmosphere flows around the heat exchanger housing or the heat exchanger housing is at least surrounded by the existing process chamber atmosphere, which allows heat transfer. Heat transfer from the furnace atmosphere or from the furnace inner space to the injection device is not only by flow, but also in some cases predominantly by radiation. Heat is transferred even if no flow occurs in the furnace.

[0013] The heat exchanger housing can therefore be arranged in a substantially still or in particular static process chamber atmosphere, although in the following it is assumed by way of example that a moving process chamber atmosphere flows around the heat exchanger housing.

[0014] Depending on the respective area of ​​application, it may be advantageous if the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet are arranged substantially mirror-symmetrically or asymmetrically with respect to one another with respect to the axis of symmetry.

[0015] It is furthermore advantageous if the passage arrangement comprises, in addition to the first and second flow passages, a third flow passage, in which case a second direction change area is formed between the third flow passage and the second flow passage, such that the second and third flow passages can be penetrated by gases having different main flow directions. Preferably, the flow passage defines a serpentine flow path within the passage arrangement.

[0016] A serpentine flow path can exist as a two-dimensional S-shaped flow path or can also exist as a three-dimensional passage arrangement, for example defining a wound flow path, in which the flow is redirected at least twice and the redirection takes place in two planes that are at an angle to each other, in particular perpendicular to each other.

[0017] For this purpose, preferably, the first and second, first and third or second and third flow passages define a common plane and the third or second or first flow passage is arranged displaced or at an angle with respect to this plane. When the flow passages are arranged in this way, the gas flowing through the flow passages is redirected once within the defined plane and once from the defined plane to another plane, thus for example to the left / right or up / down. In that case, a redirection of 20° to 180° with respect to the main flow direction in the respective flow passage is preferred. For example, a redirection of 180° results in a change of the main flow direction in the opposite direction with respect to the main flow direction of the previous flow passage.

[0018] It is advantageous if the passage arrangement has, in addition to the three flow passages, one or more other flow passages and, before each of the other flow passages, a respective direction change region, so that gases having different main flow directions can flow through two successive flow passages.

[0019] In this way, for example in the housing, the installation space provided can be efficiently utilized. The necessary reduction in the flow cross section, especially if the housing remains otherwise unchanged, leads on the one hand to an increase in the contact surface for the gas and on the other hand to an increase in the flow velocity of the gas, which overall increases the thermal energy transferred to the gas flow per traveled section.

[0020] In order to further increase the efficiency of heat transfer from the heat exchanger to the gas flowing through it, it is advantageous if core structures are formed in one or more flow passages. With these core structures, the temperature transfer area with which the gas flowing through the flow passage thermally interacts is increased compared to the flow transfer area of ​​a flow passage without a core structure. The core structures can then be arranged on the flow guide or on the inner surface of the heat exchanger housing. However, they can also be arranged so as to form an annular space for the gas in the flow passage. In such an arrangement, the core structures can preferably be connected at the end side to the inner surface of the heat exchanger housing.

[0021] It may be advantageous if the core structure is a solid core body, but it may also be advantageous if the core structure has through-flow openings, so that the gas flowing through the flow passages can also flow through the through-flow openings, thereby absorbing heat energy not only at the outer surface of the core body.

[0022] With regard to the core body, it is furthermore advantageous if the core body has, at least partially in the flow direction, a circular, elliptical, arcuate, sector-shaped, polygonal, in particular triangular, quadrangular, in particular trapezoidal, trapezoidal or rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or higher polygonal cross section. The core body can have folds and / or turns in order to further increase the heat transfer area involved in the heat transfer, if the volume of the flow passages is otherwise substantially unchanged. These folds and / or turns can then be provided in the core body in a regular or irregular manner.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, at least two flow passages run parallel to one another. Furthermore, the heat exchanger and / or one or more of the flow passages may have, at least in part, a circular, elliptical, arcuate, sector-shaped, polygonal, in particular triangular, quadrangular, in particular trapezoidal, trapezoidal or rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or higher polygonal cross section.

[0024] In that case, the flow passage(s) may have a cross-section that varies, at least partially in the respective main flow direction, in cross-sectional shape and / or cross-sectional size.

[0025] In order to be able to transfer as much of the thermal energy absorbed by the heat exchanger as possible to the gas to be heated, it is advantageous if the heat exchanger housing and the walls of the flow passages formed therein are made of one or more materials, in particular thermally conductive materials. Preferably, the material or materials have a thermal conductivity of λ≧50 Wm -1 K -1 and preferably λ≧75 Wm -1 K -1 and particularly preferably λ≧100 Wm -1 K -1 It has a thermal conductivity of

[0026] Particularly suitable materials for this purpose are, for example, materials with metal components, such as elemental metals, metal alloys, metal oxides, metal nitrides or metal carbides. The metal components can preferably comprise copper (Cu), tin (Sb), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), nickel (Ni), beryllium (Be), aluminum (Al), potassium (Ka), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), silicon (Si) and tantalum (Ta). In particular, heat exchangers with silicon carbide (SiC) and copper alloys are suitable for the injection device according to the invention due to their high thermal conductivity. In particular, for temperatures above 400° C., the heat exchangers comprise mainly metal-ceramic materials. In each case, materials are used which, at the prevailing temperatures, do not result in the liberation of metals or metal compounds which could contaminate the material to be calcined.

[0027] In addition, it may be preferable if the passage arrangement can be formed at least partially by a flow guiding structure that is insertable into and removably fixable within the heat exchanger housing. The flow guiding structure can be formed, for example, by joining flow guiding members. The advantage of this structural form is that the heat exchanger housing can be provided, for example, as a hollow body, and the flow guiding structure for forming the passage arrangement can be inserted into the heat exchanger housing before assembling the injection device. The removable fixation of the flow guiding structure enables the user to adapt the sections within the heat exchanger where the gas should move to the requirements of each manufacturing step.

[0028] It is effective if the heat exchanger housing has a housing cap, and the housing cap particularly comprises a part of the passage arrangement. In this case, the heat exchanger and a part of the passage arrangement can be integrally formed, for example, as an extrusion profile or a rolling profile. In that case, the heat exchanger is made complete by the housing cap. Alternatively, the housing cap can be removed and a separate flow guiding structure can be inserted into the heat exchanger housing, after which the housing cap is attached.

[0029] In that case, it is effective if the housing cap defines a flow turning region.

[0030] In a particularly preferred form, the injection device has a nozzle arrangement with one or more injection nozzles, and the gas can be discharged towards the material to be processed using the injection nozzles.

[0031] In that case, the nozzle arrangement can be a component independent of the heat exchanger, but it can also be included in the heat exchanger.

[0032] In a process gas system according to the invention for supplying a process gas, in particular a process gas for the thermal or thermochemical treatment, in particular calcination, of a material, in particular a battery cathode material, into a process chamber, the above-mentioned problems are solved in that the process gas system uses at least one injection device according to the invention, which has at least some of the features described above for the injection device.

[0033] 1. An apparatus for the thermal or thermochemical treatment, in particular the calcination, of a material, in particular a battery cathode material, comprising: a) a housing; b) a process chamber disposed within the housing; c) having a transport system by means of which the material or the support structure loaded with the material can be transported into or through the process chamber in a transport direction; d) having a heating system by which the process chamber atmosphere pervaded within the process chamber can be heated; and e) having a process gas system by means of which the process gases required for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of the material can be supplied to the process chamber; The above-mentioned problem is solved by the f) a process gas system, in which the process gas can be released as desired by an injection device onto the material or the support structure loaded with the material; g) the injection device is arranged so that the process chamber atmosphere can flow around the heat exchanger and / or the heat exchanger can be irradiated with heat, thereby allowing the process gas to be passively heated; This is solved by:

[0034] 1. A method for the thermal or thermochemical treatment, in particular calcination, of a material, in particular a battery cathode material, comprising the steps of: a) the material or a support structure loaded with the material is transported through a process chamber of an apparatus for heat treating a material; b) the process chamber atmosphere prevailing within the process chamber is heated, and c) The process gas required for the thermal or thermochemical treatment is supplied to the process chamber. The above-mentioned problem is solved by the d) This is solved in that the process gas is heated by a heat exchanger arranged in the process chamber.

[0035] Preferably, the process gas may be supplied to the process chamber at a temperature that substantially corresponds to the temperature of the process chamber atmosphere.

[0036] Furthermore, in this method it is advantageous to use the above-mentioned apparatus for thermally or thermochemically treating the material.

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through an apparatus for the thermal or thermochemical processing of materials by means of a process gas system with which process gas is guided into the process system by means of an injection device. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2a shows a cross-section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with an embodiment of the injection device in which the heat exchanger is located within the process chamber. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2b shows a cross-section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with an embodiment of the injection device in which the heat exchanger is located within the process chamber. [Figure 2c] FIG. 2c shows a cross-section of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 with an embodiment of the injection device in which the heat exchanger is located within the process chamber. [Figure 3a] FIG. 3a shows the injection device of FIG. 2a with a partial cross-section of the heat exchanger. [Figure 3b] FIG. 3b shows the injection device of FIG. 2b with a partial cross-section of the heat exchanger. [Figure 4a] FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention. [Figure 5a] FIG. 5a is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5b is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a heat exchanger according to the present invention. [Figure 6a] FIG. 6a shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a heat exchanger. [Figure 6b] FIG. 6b shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 7a] FIG. 7a shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 7b] FIG. 7b shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 8a] FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a heat exchanger. [Figure 8b] FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 8c] FIG. 8c is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 9a] FIG. 9a is a perspective view showing an eighth embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 9b] FIG. 9b is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10a is a perspective view showing a ninth embodiment of the heat exchanger. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10b is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of the heat exchanger. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Reference is first made to figures 1 to 2c, in which the number 10 denotes an apparatus for thermally or thermochemically treating a material 12. In the following, this apparatus 10 will be referred to as a furnace 10 for the sake of simplicity. In figures 2a to 2c, for reasons of clarity, not all of the components and parts numbered in figure 1 are re-referenced.

[0040] The material 12 can be, for example, the battery cathode material 14 described at the outset, which must be calcined by heat treatment in furnace 10 when forming the battery.

[0041] The furnace 10 has a housing 16 with a bottom 16a, a ceiling 16b and two vertical side walls 16c and 16d, which defines an internal space 18 in which a process chamber 20 is located. The housing 16 thus forms the housing of the process chamber 20. In some cases, the internal space 18 of the furnace 10 can be defined by a separate housing that surrounds the housing 16. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the process chamber 20 extends between an inlet 22 and an outlet 24 of the housing 16, which inlet and outlet can each be closed by a gate 26. Alternatively, the open inlet 22 and the open outlet 24, or alternatively, a double gate lock, each gas-tight, can be provided, with which it is ensured that the atmosphere in the furnace is separated from the surrounding atmosphere.

[0042] The material 12 is transported through the process chamber 20 by means of a transport system 28 in a transport direction 30, which is indicated only in Fig. 1 by an arrow. In this embodiment, the furnace 10 is configured as a continuous furnace, in particular as a pusher-type furnace, through which the transport system 28 transports the material 12. For this purpose, the transport system 28 has a transport track 32, along which, for example, in a known manner, a number of holding beds 34, so-called trays, are slidably moved. In Fig. 1, only one holding bed is provided with a reference number.

[0043] The transport system 28 has a feeder 36 with a driven feed punch 38, which feeds a loading bed 34 from the outside through the inlet 22 into the process chamber 20. This loading bed 34 then abuts against a first loading bed 34 already in the process chamber 20 in the transport direction 30, so that all loading beds 34 in the process chamber 20 are shifted one by one until the last loading bed 34 in the transport direction 30 is fed out of the process chamber 20 through the outlet 24.

[0044] In variants not specifically shown, other designs are also possible, for example known for continuous furnaces, such as roller furnaces, conveyor belt furnaces, chain transfer furnaces, continuous moving furnaces, etc., mentioned here merely by way of example. Alternatively, the furnace 10 can also be configured as a batch furnace, which has only one inlet, through which the material 12 is transferred into the process chamber 20 and transferred again out of the inlet. In this case, individual charges of material 12 into the process chamber 20 are transferred in the transport direction 30 through this inlet, heat-treated and then removed again in the opposite direction to the transport direction 30 through the inlet from the process chamber 20 and thus transferred through the process chamber 20 as a whole.

[0045] Depending on its nature, the material 12 can be transported, such as by means of the transport system 28, and can then be placed, for example, directly on the placement bed 34. This is possible, for example, if the material 12 is a structural semi-finished product.

[0046] In this embodiment, a support structure 40 loaded with the material 12 is provided, which in the case of the battery cathode material 14 is formed as a combustion shell 42, which in English terminology is called a saggar. These support structures 40 can be stacked on top of each other, for example, as known, to form a shelf-like transfer frame 44 with multiple planes, in which case in this embodiment three support structures 40 loaded with the battery cathode material 14 form the transfer frame 44 and each one of the placement beds 34 supports such a transfer frame 44. More than two or three planes per transfer frame 44, for example four, five, six or more planes, are also conceivable; the number of possible planes depends largely on the height of the process chamber 20 and the support structure 40. In a variant, the transfer frame 44 is a separate component, for example made of metal or ceramic, which accommodates the support structures 40 in multiple planes.

[0047] The furnace 10 has a heating system 45, known from the market and only diagrammatically suggested in FIG. 1, by which the atmosphere prevailing in the furnace interior 20 can be heated. This atmosphere can be heated by convection, electromagnetic heat radiation or heat diffusion, as is known. In that case, an exemplary heating system can have heat radiator elements, fan heating elements, etc., which can be arranged either at or in the furnace bottom 16a, the furnace ceiling 16b and / or the vertical side walls 16c, 16d and / or distributed in the process chamber 20. Alternatively or additionally, a circulating air heating system is conceivable, by means of which the furnace atmosphere is sucked out of the process chamber 20, heated by a heating unit and blown back into the process chamber 20.

[0048] When thermally treating the material 12, exhaust gases 46 may be produced, which must be drawn off from the process chamber 20. Such exhaust gases 46 are indicated in FIGS. 2a to 2c by dashed lines and bear the reference number. When calcining the battery cathode material 14, the exhaust gases 46 may be, for example, water (H 2O) or carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is produced. In addition, a phase containing lithium (Li) may be liberated.

[0049] In order to be able to remove the exhaust gas 46 from the process chamber 20, an extraction system 48 is provided, which can be seen in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, and which has an extraction opening 50 in the bottom 16a of the housing 16, through which the exhaust gas 46 can be extracted from the process chamber 20. Further necessary components for this purpose, which are known, for example blowers, conduits, filters, etc., are not specifically shown for the sake of clarity.

[0050] In the furnace 10, the material 12 can be heat treated, and a process gas is required during the heat treatment of the material. In the battery cathode material 14 mentioned, a process gas such as oxygen (O 2 ) is required, which is blown into the process chamber 20 in the form of conditioned air. In this case, the air thus forms this type of process gas. The oxygen (O 2 ) is decomposed to form metal oxides, resulting in water (H 2 O) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is generated. In other processes, other process gases may be required. In many processes, oxygen-enriched air or pure oxygen is required, the oxygen content of such process gases may be between 21% and 100%. Inert gases, e.g. noble gases, are also considered as process gases intended for frictionless thermal or thermochemical processes.

[0051] The furnace 10 therefore comprises a process gas system 52 by means of which the process gas 54 required for the heat treatment can be supplied to the process chamber 20 .

[0052] The process gas system 52 itself has at least one injection device 56, which is shown diagrammatically in Figures 3a and 3b and by means of which a gas, here a process gas 54, can be discharged onto the material 12. Figure 1 shows several injection devices 56, where only some of them have reference numbers. The injection device 56 has an inlet 58, shown only in Figures 3a and 3b, through which the process gas 54 can be supplied to the injection device, and at least one outlet 60, through which the process gas 54 can be discharged from the injection device 56. The inlet 58 and the one or more outlets 60 are fluidly connected to one another by a channel 62 through which the process gas 54 can flow.

[0053] The flow path 62 comprises a heat exchanger 64 with a heat exchanger housing 68, which in the following will be referred to as the WT housing 68, having access from the outside to the surrounding atmosphere, here the process chamber atmosphere 66 prevailing in the process chamber 20. A passage arrangement 70 is accommodated in the WT housing 68, which passage arrangement has at least two flow passages 72.

[0054] Heat from the process chamber atmosphere 66 is utilized and transferred to the process gas 54 , causing the process gas 54 to be heated on its path 62 through a heat exchanger 64 to an outlet 60 .

[0055] Fig. 3a shows a passage arrangement 70 with two flow passages 72, namely a first flow passage 72.1 and a second flow passage 72.2; Fig. 2a also shows an injection device 56 formed in this way. Fig. 3b shows a passage arrangement 70 with three flow passages 72, in which a third flow passage 72.3 is formed; an injection device 56 of this kind is also shown in Figs. 2b and 2c, which will be explained again in more detail below. For the sake of clarity, identical parts and components will not necessarily bear reference numbers again in the following.

[0056] The process gas 54 can flow through the flow passages 72, which in a variant not shown can also be formed as pipe elements guided separately in the WT housing 68. In the passage arrangement 70, a change-of-direction area 74 is formed between two successive flow passages 72 in the flow direction, so that the process gas 54 with different main flow directions flows through two successive flow passages 72. In particular, a change-of-direction area 74.1 is formed between the first flow passage 72.1 and the second flow passage 72.2, and in the variant shown in FIG. 3b, a second change-of-direction area 74.2 is also formed between the second flow passage 72.2 and the third flow passage 72.3.

[0057] The turning area 74 is an area where the main flow direction of the process gas 54 is changed. The notion of main flow direction indicates that when considering the flow direction of the process gas 54 through the flow passage 72, possible turbulences or vortices occurring in the flow passage 72 are not taken into account. The turning can be brought about in particular by an abrupt change in the path path caused by the turning area 74, for example by a U-shaped path path in the turning area 74. A curved change in the path path can also be created in the turning area, insofar as the main flow direction before the turning area 74 is different from the main flow direction after the turning area 74.

[0058] In order to be able to emit the process gas 54 onto the material 12, the injection device 56 further comprises a nozzle arrangement 76, which comprises a number of injection nozzles 76a, by means of which the process gas 54 can be emitted towards the material 12 to be treated. The nozzle arrangement 76 can be integrated into the WT housing 68, as shown in Figure 3a. The nozzle arrangement 76 can also be a separate unit, as shown in Figure 3b.

[0059] The individual injection nozzles 76a can be formed as simple outlet openings, which can be formed, for example, as circular openings, oval openings or slits. The injection nozzles 76a can be movable, so that the outlet direction of the local process gas 54 emitted can be adjusted for each injection nozzle 76a individually. This is not specifically shown in the figures. Furthermore, the injection nozzles 76a can be arranged in the nozzle arrangement 76 at an angle with respect to the bottom 16a and / or the transport direction 30, so that the process gas 54 is emitted towards the combustion shell 42 and / or towards the material 12. All injection nozzles 76a arranged in the nozzle arrangement 76 in that case can emit the process gas 54 at different angles or at the same angle.

[0060] The nozzle arrangement 76 of the injection device 56 ensures that the process gas 54 contacts and is supplied almost uniformly to all of the combustion shells 42 and materials 12 within the process chamber 20, so that the heat treatment of the materials 12 in all of the combustion shells 42 is carried out reproducibly and uniformly to a uniform degree.

[0061] On the one hand, the process gas 54 thus reaches the material 12 at the process location, and on the other hand, the resulting waste gas 46, and thus here water (H 2 O) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) are displaced by the process gas 54, thereby allowing the exhaust gas 46 to be effectively sucked out of the process chamber 20 by the suction system 48.

[0062] The directed release of the process gas 54 changes the gas particle pressure in the immediate vicinity of the material 12, which in turn affects the process parameters and thereby the chemical and physical properties of the resulting product, thereby improving the quality of the resulting product and thus reducing manufacturing defects, and further saving the process gas 54.

[0063] By means of the process gas 54 emitted in a directed manner from the injection nozzle 76a, it is further possible to adjust the temperature around the material 12 to be treated; it is also possible to homogenize the temperature around the material 12 and to bring about a desired homogenous temperature profile in the material 12, for example in cases where the section through the heat exchanger 64 is deliberately insufficient to heat the process gas 54 to the temperature of the process chamber atmosphere 66. These effects can be brought about both by suitable preconditioning of the process gas 54 by the process gas system 52 and by suitable regulation of the emission of the process gas 54 by the injection device 56.

[0064] The release of process gas 54 by injection device 56 can be continuous or pulsating; this is regulated by suitable control of process gas system 52 and suitable control means.

[0065] 2a, 2b and 2c show injection devices 56 having differently configured or positioned heat exchangers 64, in which the injection nozzles 76a of the nozzle arrangements 76 are each positioned along a vertical line adjacent the transfer track 32, as also shown in Fig. 1. However, arrangements of the injection nozzles 76a that form angles other than 90° with the ceiling 16b and / or the vertical side walls 16c, 16d are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0066] In Fig. 2a, as mentioned above, a variant having the injection device 56 of Fig. 3a is shown. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2b, the heat exchanger 64 extends transversely to the transport direction 30 in the vicinity of the ceiling 16b of the furnace 10, so that as much of the area of ​​the process chamber atmosphere 66 with heat as possible is available for heating the process gas 54. The nozzle arrangement 76 then projects vertically downwards from the heat exchanger 64, which is guided along the ceiling 16b of the furnace 10. Fig. 2c shows an alternative variant in which the heat exchanger 64 is arranged parallel to the transport direction 30 on a vertical side wall 16c.

[0067] 4a, 4b show a first embodiment of the heat exchanger 64 of the injection device 56, and Figs. 5a and 5b show a second embodiment, in which two flow passages 72.1 and 72.2 are provided, which are connected by a direction change area 72.1. The two flow passages 72.1 and 72.2 in the WT housing 68 and the direction change area 74.1 are formed by a flow guide 78, which acts as a kind of separating partition 80, so that the passage arrangement 70 with the first flow passage 72.1, the direction change area 74.1 and the second flow passage 72.2 is formed by the housing outer wall 82 of the WT housing 68 and the flow guide 78.

[0068] In this way, the section travelled by the process gas 54 inside the heat exchanger 64 of the injection device 56 is extended in comparison with a direct flow path to the outlet 60. Preferably, as shown in Figs. 3a to 10b, the section travelled in the heat exchanger 64 of the injection device 56 is at least twice as long in comparison with a heat exchanger 64 without one or more redirection areas 74 or one or more guide partitions 80. This ensures that the process gas 54 travels as far as possible inside the heat exchanger 64 in order to maximize the intake of the thermal energy to be absorbed before reaching the outlet 60. In a variant not specifically shown, the separating partitions 80 can be arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction, for example in a zigzag arrangement, or alternately on opposite longitudinal sides of the housing outer wall 82 of the heat exchanger 64. However, heat exchangers 64 in which the section travelled by the process gas 54 inside the heat exchanger 64 is not at least twice as long as it would be without one or more guide partitions 80 are also included in the present invention.

[0069] In another embodiment, not shown, a plurality of guide partitions 80 are arranged to create a turbulent flow through the heat exchanger 64 consisting of multiple primary vortices of the process gas flow.

[0070] 4a-5b, the inlet 84 and outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64 are located at a common connecting end 88 of the heat exchanger 64. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the direction of flow of the process gas 54 into the heat exchanger 64 is parallel to, but opposite to, its direction of flow out of the heat exchanger 64.

[0071] In the embodiment shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64 is formed at the connection end such that the process gas 54 leaves the heat exchanger 64 perpendicular to the inflow direction. In the embodiment of the heat exchanger 64 shown in Figures 6a and 6b with three flow passages 72.1, 72.2 and 72.3 and two direction change areas 74.1 and 74.2, the WT housing 68 is formed as an elongated triangular prism, for example with an equilateral triangular cross section.

[0072] The three flow passages 72.1, 72.2, 72.3 and the two redirection areas 74.1, 74.2 are formed by three elongated partitions 80.1, 80.2 and 80.3, which are arranged in a star shape in cross section with a common contact line at an angle of 120° to each other. In this way, two of the partitions, i.e. partitions 80.1, 80.2, partitions 80.2, 80.3 and partitions 80.3, 80.1, and the housing outer wall 82 of the WT housing 68, respectively, form the flow passages 72.1, 72.2 and 72.3.

[0073] In this variant, each flow passage 72.1, 72.2, 72.3 is aligned relative to a reference plane E defined by two other passages 72.2 and 72.3, 72.1 and 72.3 or 72.1 and 72.2, respectively. S lies in a plane displaced relative to that of the first embodiment, as will be further explained below in relation to Figures 8a, 8b and 8c.

[0074] In the case of these three flow passages 72, the inlet 84 and outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64 are disposed at opposite ends of the WT housing 68, thereby forming an inlet end 90 and an outlet end 92 of the heat exchanger 64, respectively.

[0075] In the embodiment of the heat exchanger 64 shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the four separating partitions 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 and 80.4 define the four flow passages 72.1, 72.2, 72.3 and 72.4 and the three redirection areas 74, and only the second and third redirection areas 74.2 and 74.3 are visible. In the third redirection area 74.3, the WT housing 68 is shown in perspective. The WT housing 68 is formed, for example, as an elongated pipe with a circular cross section.

[0076] In this configuration of four flow passages 72 , the inlet 84 and outlet 86 of the heat exchanger 64 are located at a common connecting end 88 .

[0077] In a variant not specifically shown, one or more other flow passages 72 and a respective direction change region 74 in front of each flow passage 72 are provided in the passage arrangement 70 such that the process gas 64 flows through two adjacent flow passages 72 in different main flow directions.

[0078] Common to all embodiments of the heat exchanger 64 having at least three flow passages 72, the at least three flow passages 72 define a serpentine flow path 94. The serpentine flow path 94 may extend across one or more mutually parallel planes.

[0079] 8a to 8c show a variant of the heat exchanger 64, in which the WT housing is formed as an elongated pipe with a circular cross section, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, but here again, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the three flow passages 72.1, 72.2 and 72.3 are arranged displaced relative to one another.

[0080] Plane E already mentioned above S One of the planes E is defined between the two geometric centroids 96.1 and 96.2 of the cross sections of the flow passages 72.1 and 72.2, as shown in FIG. 8a. Sis perpendicular to the paper plane. The third geometric center of gravity 96.3 of the third flow passage 72.3 is, as explained above, in this plane E S 1. The 3D-series ... are arranged in a displace

[0081] 8a, the cross-sections of the flow passages 72.1, 72.2, 72.3 have the shape of a sector, which in this embodiment is defined by the flat separating partitions 80.1, 80.2 and the housing outer wall 82 of the WT housing 68. Starting from the flow passage 72.1, these flow passages 72.1, 72.2 and 72.3, which are sector-shaped in cross-section, are each rotated by an equal angle of 120° around the center point M of the circular cross-section of the WT housing 68.

[0082] The three separating partitions 80.1, 80.2, 80.3 arranged along a common axis form equal or different inclination angles α, β, γ with respect to one another, in which case, if the inclination angles are different, these are preferably α=100°, β=120° and γ=140°.

[0083] In figure 8b a different embodiment of the heat exchanger 64 is shown in cross section, where the cross sections of the flow channels 72.1, 72.2, 72.3 have chamfered corners 97 and different cross-sectional areas.

[0084] 8c shows core structures 98 formed in the flow passages 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, which in this embodiment are provided by a core body 100. By means of these core structures 98, the area of ​​the heat exchanger 64 involved in the temperature transfer, with which the process gas 54 can flow while passing through the heat exchanger 64, is increased with respect to a heat exchanger 64 without the core structures 98. Furthermore, the cross-section of the flow passage through which the process gas 54 can flow is reduced in comparison, so that the process gas 54 can flow through the heat exchanger 64 at a higher flow velocity and the volume fraction of the process gas 54 in direct contact with the temperature transfer area is increased. Furthermore, the higher flow velocity improves the efficiency of the temperature transfer.

[0085] 9a and 9b show an embodiment in which the nozzle arrangement 76 is included in the heat exchanger 64. For this purpose, the injection nozzle 76a of the nozzle arrangement 76 is integrated into the housing outer wall 82 of the WT housing 68. As shown, a third flow passage 72.3 provided therein communicates with a distribution passage 102, via which the process gas reaches the injection nozzle 76. In this simple embodiment, the injection nozzle 76 can be a through hole in the WT housing 68. The distribution passage 102 can also act as part of the heat exchanger 64, in which case, in addition to its function as a distribution passage, it also defines a fourth flow passage 72.4 of the heat exchanger 64, into which the process gas 54 flows via a third deflection area 74.4 provided upstream.

[0086] To simplify the manufacture of the heat exchanger 64, in the embodiment shown in Figures 10a and 10b, the WT housing 68 has housing caps 104 which can be attached to its opposite end faces. These can provide the passage arrangement 70 and part of the WT housing 68. The housing caps 104 here provide the direction change area 74 and can further have one or more inlets 58 and / or one or more outlets 60. The heat exchanger 64 can therefore be formed as separate parts and can be completed only by attaching the housing caps 104 during assembly.

[0087] In another variant, not specifically shown, a separate flow guiding structure is inserted into the WT housing 68 and secured therein, thereby forming the passage arrangement 70 in the WT housing 68. In that case, the flow guiding structure can be removably secured so that it can be replaced by another flow guiding structure if necessary, for example if the passage arrangement formed by the flow guiding structure being used proves to be insufficient for heating the process gas 54 to the temperature of the process chamber atmosphere 66.

[0088] The above-described concepts of having a housing cap 104 or an insertable and optionally replaceable flow structure may be embodied in all of the embodiments described above.

[0089] In accordance with the present invention, the heat exchanger housing 68, the isolating partitions 80.1, 82.2, 82.3, the core structure 98 and / or the housing cap 104 are adapted to have a λ≧50 Wm -1 K -1 , λ ≥ 75Wm -1 K -1 Or λ≧100Wm -1 K -1 The thermal conductivity of the material is determined by the thermal conductivity of the material, which is determined by the thermal conductivity of the material. The thermal conductivity of the material ... The following are some embodiments of the present invention. [Aspect 1] an injection device for discharging a gas (54), in particular a process gas, onto a material (12), in particular a battery cathode material (14) to be calcined, a) having at least one inlet (58) through which a gas (54) can be supplied to an injection device (56) and at least one outlet (60) through which the gas (54) can be discharged from the injection device (56), the inlet and the outlet being connected to each other by a flow path (62) for the gas (54); In things, b) the flow path (62) comprises a heat exchanger (64) having a heat exchanger housing (68) through which the ambient atmosphere (66) can reach from the outside, said heat exchanger housing containing a passage arrangement (70); c) the passage arrangement (70) comprises a first flow passage (72.1) and a second flow passage (72.2), between which a direction change area (74.1) is formed so that gas (54) having different main flow directions can flow through the first and second flow passages (72.1, 72.2); An injection device comprising: [Aspect 2] The injection device according to aspect 1, characterized in that the passage arrangement (70) has a third flow passage (72.3), and between the third flow passage and the second flow passage (72.3, 72.2) a second direction change area (74.2) is formed so that the second flow passage and the third flow passage (72.2, 72.3) can be passed through by gas (54) having different main flow directions. [Aspect 3] 3. The injection device according to embodiment 2, wherein the first, second and third flow passages (72.1, 72.2, 72.3) define a serpentine flow path (94). [Aspect 4] The first and second flow passages (72.1, 72.2), the first and third flow passages (72.1, 72.3) or the second and third flow passages (72.2, 72.3) are in a common plane (E S ), and the third (72.3) or the second (72.2) or the first (72.1) flow passage (72) is in said plane (E S 4. The injection device according to claim 2, wherein the injection port is disposed at an angle relative to the first axis. [Aspect 5] 5. An injection device according to any one of aspects 2 to 4, characterized in that the passage arrangement (70) comprises one or more other flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4), each having a direction change area (74; 74.1, 74.2, 74.3) before each other flow passage (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4), such that gas (54) having different main flow directions can flow through two consecutive flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4). [Aspect 6] 6. The injection device according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that a core structure (98) is formed within one or more of the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4). [Aspect 7] 7. The injection device according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that at least two flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) extend parallel to each other. [Aspect 8] 8. An injection device according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the heat exchanger (64) and / or one or more of the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) have, at least in part, a cross-section in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, an arcuate, a sector, a polygon, in particular a triangle, a square, in particular a trapezoid, a trapezoid or a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon or a higher polygon. [Aspect 9] 9. An injection device according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that one or more of the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) have a cross-section which varies at least partially in the respective main flow direction. [Aspect 10] The walls of the heat exchanger housing (68) and the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) formed therein are made of one or more materials, said materials having a thermal conductivity of λ≧50 Wm -1 K -1 , preferably λ≧75 Wm -1 K -1 , particularly preferably λ≧100 Wm -1 K -1 10. The injection device according to any one of the preceding aspects, having an inherent thermal conductivity of [Aspect 11] An injection device as described in any one of aspects 1 to 10, characterized in that the passage arrangement (70) is at least partially formed by a flow guiding structure, the flow guiding structure being insertable into the heat exchanger housing (68) and removably securable therein. [Aspect 12] An injection device according to any one of aspects 1 to 11, characterized in that the heat exchanger housing (68) has at least one housing cap (104), said housing cap in particular providing part of the passage arrangement (70). [Aspect 13] The injection device according to aspect 12, characterized in that the housing cap (104) has at least one inlet (58) and / or outlet (60) through which the gas (54) can be supplied to the heat exchanger (64) and through which the gas (54) can flow out of the heat exchanger (64). [Aspect 14] 14. The injection device according to any one of the preceding aspects, characterized in that the injection device (56) has a nozzle arrangement (76) with one or more injection nozzles (76a) by means of which the gas (54) can be emitted towards the material (12) to be treated. [Aspect 15] 15. The injection device according to embodiment 14, wherein the nozzle arrangement (76) is surrounded by a heat exchanger (64). [Aspect 16] A process gas system for supplying a process gas (54), in particular a process gas (54) for thermally or thermochemically treating, in particular calcining, a material (12), in particular a battery cathode material (14), into a process chamber (20), comprising: 16. A process gas system (52) comprising at least one injection device (56) according to any one of the first to fifteenth embodiments. [Aspect 17] 1. An apparatus for thermally or thermochemically treating, in particular for calcining, a material (12), in particular a battery cathode material (14), comprising: a) a housing (16; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d), b) a process chamber (20) located within a housing (16; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d); c) having a transport system (28) by means of which the material (12) or a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12) can be transported in a transport direction (30) into or through the process chamber (20); d) a heating system (45) by means of which the process chamber atmosphere (66) prevailing in the process chamber (20) can be heated; e) a process gas system (52) by means of which process gas (54) required for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of the material (12) can be supplied to the process chamber (20); In things, f) the process gas system (52) is the process gas system (52) of embodiment 16, wherein the process gas (54) can be delivered by an injection device (56) to the material (12) or to a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12), as desired; g) an injection device is arranged such that the process chamber atmosphere (66) can flow around and / or be thermally irradiated onto the heat exchanger (64) and the process gas (54) can be passively heated. [Aspect 18] A method for the thermal or thermochemical treatment, in particular for calcination, of a material (12), in particular a battery cathode material (14), comprising: a) the material (12) or a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12) is transported through a process chamber (20) to an apparatus (10) for heat treating the material (12); b) the process chamber atmosphere (66) prevailing within the process chamber (20) is heated; c) the process chamber (20) is supplied with process gases (54) required for the thermal or thermochemical treatment; In things, d) the process gas (54) is heated by a heat exchanger (64) arranged in the process chamber (20). [Aspect 19] 20. The method of embodiment 18, wherein the process gas (54) is supplied to the process chamber (20) at a temperature substantially corresponding to a temperature of the process chamber atmosphere (66). [Aspect 20] The method according to embodiment 18 or 19, characterized in that the device (10) according to embodiment 17 is used.

Claims

1. An injection device for discharging a gas (54) or a process gas onto a material (12), comprising: a) having at least one inlet (58) through which the gas (54) or the process gas can be supplied to the injection device (56) and at least one outlet (60) through which the gas (54) or the process gas can be discharged from the injection device (56), the inlet (58) and the outlet (60) being connected to each other by a flow path (62) for the gas (54) or the process gas; In the injection device, b) the flow path (62) comprises a heat exchanger (64) with a heat exchanger housing (68) through which the ambient atmosphere (66) can reach from the outside, and a passage device (70) is accommodated in the heat exchanger housing; c) the passage device (70) has a first flow passage (72.1) and a second flow passage (72.2), between which a change-of-direction area (74.1) is formed in order that the gas (54) or the process gas having different main flow directions can flow through the first flow passage (72.1) and the second flow passage (72.2), d) the first and second flow passages (72.1), (72.2) and the change in direction area (74.1) in the heat exchanger housing (68) are defined by the flow guide element (78) such that a passage arrangement (70) having the first flow passage (72.1), the change in direction area (74.1) and the second flow passage (72.2) is defined by the housing outer wall (82) of the heat exchanger housing (68) and the flow guide element (78). An injection device comprising:

2. 2. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that the passage arrangement (70) has a third flow passage (72.3), and between the third flow passage (72.3) and the second flow passage (72.2) a second direction change area (74.2) is formed so that the second flow passage (72.2) and the third flow passage (72.3) can be passed through by gas (54) having different main flow directions.

3. 3. The injection device of claim 2, wherein the first flow passage (72.1), the second flow passage (72.2), and the third flow passage (72.3) define a serpentine flow path (94).

4. The first flow passage (72.1) and the second flow passage (72.2), the first flow passage (72.1) and the third flow passage (72.3), or the second flow passage (72.2) and the third flow passage (72.3) are arranged in a common plane (E S ), and the third flow passage (72.3) or the second flow passage (72.2) or the first flow passage (72.1) is in the plane (E S 4. The injection device according to claim 2, wherein the injection port is disposed at an angle relative to the injection port.

5. 5. The injection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the passage device (70) has one or more further flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) each having a direction change area (74; 74.1, 74.2, 74.3) before each further flow passage (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4), such that a gas (54) or a process gas having different main flow directions can flow through two consecutive flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4).

6. 6. An injection device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a core structure (98) is formed in one or more of the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4).

7. 7. An injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) extend parallel to one another.

8. An injection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that one or more of the heat exchangers (64) and / or flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) have, at least in part, a circular, elliptical, arcuate, sector-shaped or polygonal cross-section.

9. 9. An injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more of the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) have a cross-section which varies at least partially in the respective main flow direction.

10. The walls of the heat exchanger housing (68) and the flow passages (72; 72.1, 72.2, 72.3, 72.4) formed therein are made of one or more materials, said materials having a thermal conductivity of λ≧50 Wm -1 K -1 10. The injection device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has an inherent thermal conductivity of 0.1 to 0.

5.

11. An injection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the passage device (70) is at least partially formed by a flow guiding structure, the flow guiding structure being insertable into the heat exchanger housing (68) and removably fixed therein.

12. An injection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the heat exchanger housing (68) has at least one housing cap (104), the housing cap providing part of the passage device (70).

13. An injection device as described in claim 12, characterized in that the housing cap (104) has at least one inlet (58) and / or outlet (60), through which gas (54) or process gas can be supplied to the heat exchanger (64) and through which gas (54) or process gas can flow out of the heat exchanger (64) through the outlet (60).

14. An injection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the injection device (56) has a nozzle device (76) with one or more injection nozzles (76a), and the injection nozzles (76a) can be used to release a gas (54) or a process gas toward the material (12) to be treated.

15. An injection device as described in Claim 14, characterized in that the nozzle device (76) is surrounded by the heat exchanger (64).

16. A process gas system for supplying a process gas (54) for thermally or thermochemically treating a material (12) into a process chamber (20), comprising:

16. A process gas system (52) comprising at least one injection device (56) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. 1. An apparatus for thermally or thermochemically treating a material (12), comprising: a) a housing (16; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d); b) a process chamber (20) located within the housing (16; 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d); c) a transport system (28) by means of which the material (12) or a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12) can be transported in a transport direction (30) into or through the process chamber (20); d) a heating system (45) by means of which the process chamber atmosphere (66) prevailing in the process chamber (20) can be heated; e) a process gas system (52) by means of which process gas (54) required for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of the material (12) can be supplied to the process chamber (20); In an apparatus comprising: f) the process gas system (52) is a process gas system (52) according to claim 16, wherein the process gas (54) can be discharged as desired by an injection device (56) into the material (12) or into a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12); g) the injection device (56) is arranged such that the process chamber atmosphere (66) can flow around and / or be thermally irradiated to a heat exchanger (64) and the process gas (54) can be passively heated.

18. A method for the thermal or thermochemical treatment of a material (12), comprising: a) the material (12) or a support structure (40) loaded with the material (12) is transported through a process chamber (20) to an apparatus (10) for heat treating the material (12), the apparatus (10) being an apparatus according to claim 17, b) the process chamber atmosphere (66) prevailing within said process chamber (20) is heated; c) the process chamber (20) is supplied with process gases (54) necessary for the thermal or thermochemical treatment; In the method, d) the process gas (54) is heated by a heat exchanger (64) located within the process chamber (20).

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the process gas (54) is supplied to the process chamber (20) at a temperature substantially corresponding to the temperature of the process chamber atmosphere (66).

Images