Abstract: In a calciner of the type having a screw conveyor for advancing material to and through a calcining reaction zone, and wherein the screw conveyor comprises an internally cooled support shaft which is provided within an outer screw flight shaft, an improvement comprising means for controlling the bending stress between the inner and outer shafts is provided. Further, means are also provided for allowing axial movement of one of the shafts relative to the other. The bending stress ranges between the inner and outer shafts are controlled by means of a plurality of bearing members which extend in a generally radial direction with respect to the shafts and which extend between the shafts. The bending stress range is also controlled by the axial position of the bearing members along the shafts. Axial movement of one shaft relative to the other is permitted by the provision of bearing cages around the inner shaft with axial slots formed in the cage.

Abstract: A vortex burner includes a first feed pipe and a second feed pipe disposed within the first feed pipe. A first set of gas distribution tubes extends from an end of the first feed pipe and extends towards a radiant cup portion of the vortex burner. Also, a second set of gas distribution tubes extends from the second feed pipe also toward the radiant cup portion of the vortex burner. A first fuel gas is capable of flowing through a portion of the first feed pipe not occupied by the second feed pipe, i.e. an annulus area of space, and through the associated first set of gas distribution tubes. A second fuel gas, of either a higher or lower Wobbe index than the first fuel gas is capable of flowing through the second feed pipe and its associated second set of gas distribution tubes. Thus, the vortex burner is capable of burning either high or low Wobbe fuel gases. The first and second fuel pipes may also be separately disposed within the vortex burner.

Abstract: A fluid velocity measurement system includes a thermal generation means operated for short durations of time and disposed within a conduit suitable for guiding at least a portion of a fluid whose velocity is to be determined. Disposed downstream in the fluid guide means is at least one of a first and second thermal sensing means. The sensing means are spaced from each other. The first and second thermal sensing means are differentially coupled. The time period starting with the thermal generation means being turned on and heating a slug of fluid and extending to the generation of a differential electrical signal from the sensing means detecting the heated slug of fluid is the flight time of the heated slug of fluid. In one embodiment of the invention circuitry is provided to measure the actual flight time and divide it into a predetermined period of time resulting in a quotient which is proportional to the fluid velocity.

Abstract: Material to be used as a furnace lining, comprising a block of ceramic fibers in a desired shape said surface having been fused with a flame at a temperature higher than any temperature to which it is intended that the material will be subjected when in use.

Abstract: A burner adapted for use with alternative fluid fuels is provided. The burner includes a cartridge that comprises a nozzle with passage means therein. The nozzle passage means include an entrance adapted to receive a liquid fuel and a plurality of exit ports to discharge the liquid fuel in the direction of the combustion zone. An annular channel is formed around the nozzle and is adapted to supply a gaseous fuel or an atomizing agent for the liquid fuel to slot means, which tangentially communicate with each exit port so that the respective fluids passing through the exit ports and slot means intimately mix and are directed to the combustion zone. Fin means associated with the cartridge impart a swirling pattern to combustion air admitted into the furnace cavity.

Abstract: A partition of high thermal conductivity is provided to separate a furnace heating zone from a furnace reaction zone, the reaction zone being at least partially heated by radiant heat from the heating zone. In a preferred embodiment, the partition means comprises a plurality of individual panels which are arranged in horizontally extending rows across the furnace. A ceramic seal plate is secured over the longitudinal interface between the adjacent panels in the same horizontal row. The seal plates in one horizontal row which extend across the width of the furnace are slightly offset from the seal plates in adjacent rows to compensate for thermal expansion forces which may tend to move the panels and sealed expansion spaces are provided between adjacent panels in the width-wise and longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The method for making material to be used as a furnace lining, comprising forming a block of ceramic fibers in a desired shape and fusing the surface thereof with a flame at a temperature higher than any temperature to which it is intended that the material will be subjected when in use.

Abstract: A pilot assembly for a furnace burner includes a housing having a first port capable of mating with a flame detector which can monitor the pilot or main flame of the furnace burner. The housing further includes an air-fuel mixture inlet port coaxially disposed with respect to a second port, which serves the purpose of mating with a spark ignition means. The axes of the fuel mixture inlet port and second port are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the first port. The second port is adapted such that any portion of the spark ignition means extending through the second port and into the housing will not interfere with the monitoring performed by the flame detector means. The housing further includes a third port which can accommodate means for visually sighting the pilot flame. The third port can also serve the purpose of providing manual ignition of the pilot burner.

Abstract: Sealing means for preventing metal vapor, and in particular zinc vapor, evolution from the surface of a bath into a furnace is provided at the exit end of the heat processing industrial furnace through which a continuous metal sheet is advanced. Upon exiting the furnace the metal sheet is dipped into a bath for hot dip coating thereof. At the zone of the industrial furnace from which the continuous metal sheet exits the furnace and advances into the coating bath, there is provided therein an atmosphere having a low dew point and a relatively high hydrogen content to thereby reduce the oxidation of the metal vapor which may have migrated into the furnace. Furthermore, sealing means are provided between zones of the furnace to retain the integrity of this atmosphere, and thus isolating zones having different atmosphere compositions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fibrous and substantially non-porous shield that is placed around a burner block in a furance wall in order to prevent the flow of combustion gases or combustible gases back from the block to the casing of the furnace wall where they could burn and damage said casing.

Abstract: A refractory burner block having a generally cup shaped depression is adapted for mounting in the furnace wall, with the depression facing the furnace interior. The block is provided with a bore that extends from the cup shaped depression to accommodate a burner nozzle. Resilient means connect the burner block with the cover plate so that both block and cover plate may independently contract and expand, minimizing stress loads on the cup, resulting in less cup cracking and failure.A joint is provided with a step between the furnace wall and the burner block, reducing the possibility of gaps opening up and forming a barrier to radiant heat and to convection flow.A central locating collar relieves the anchor bolts from undue stress in supporting the burner block. A resilient seal is used to seal the block against the central locating collar.Pilot means to light the main burner and plenum means to buffer the pilot from the main burner are provided to reduce pilot "blowout.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for press bending and tempering thin glass sheets. The sheet is heated in a furnace to a temperature sufficient to effect deformation thereof, is kept heated in a holding area immediately after the sheet has left the furnace and is then bent by being sandwiched between the press bending members and quenched.

Abstract: Rotary furnace and preheater structure, wherein a billet is heated on an enclosed preheat conveyor where waste gases from the rotary hearth furnace preheat the billet counter to the billet travel direction. The preheated billet is inserted into the rotary hearth furnace wherein combustion gases, exiting from burners mounted in the furnace roof or sidewalls, flow counter to the hearth rotation direction and exit into the enclosed preheat conveyor. A baffle, depending from the stationary furnace roof, controls combustion gas movement counter to the billet travel direction in the furnace, and forces the combustion gases out of the furnace through a flue communicating with the preheat conveyor. A source of aspiration is provided to communicate with the preheat conveyor, and thus to facilitate combustion gas movement therethrough.

Abstract: The invention relates to a means for supporting a tube in a tube heater in such a manner that the tube can move bodily and the convolutions thereof can move individually.