Abstract: A flexible cord-like hollow object for the transportation of media is provided with an inner zone enclosed by a casing having an inner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer. A barrier layer, which is impermeable to volatile molecules in the medium to be transported, is integrated into the casing on the outer surface of the inner layer between the inner layer and the middle layer. The barrier layer comprises sub-elements that are arranged in a scale-like manner.

Abstract: This apparatus is a furnace for heating molten material which employs oxygen-fuel burner assemblies. Preferably, the assemblies are submerged in the molten material. They are water cooled top down units with burner nozzles being off-set from the supply column. The apparatus utilizes one or more burners for each top down supply column. The supply column and attached burners can be rotated or moved in a manner to avoid the open chimney effect seen with fixed air-fuel burners of the prior art. These burners with an off-set nozzle like the letter L are rotated at high speed or oscillated to distribute the combustion in the form of gas bubbles or a gas curtain. In another embodiment, the oxy-fuel burners are not submerged. The nozzles are aimed at unmelted batch or the upper surface of the molten material for controlled splashing.