Abstract: A method of injecting at least one reagent into a high temperature material includes providing a heat pipe assembly, permitting gravity flow of the liquid working substance from a condenser to an evaporator of the heat pipe assembly through a discrete impermeable liquid return passage therebetween, providing a reagent delivery conduit through the evaporator and emerging at a leading end thereof, conveying the reagent through the reagent delivery conduit and injecting the reagent into the high temperature material. The evaporator of the heat pipe assembly comprises a flow modifier therein adapted to cause swirling of a working substance flow in the evaporator. The condenser is cooled to condense the vaporized working substance received from the evaporator.

Abstract: A method of extracting heat using a heat pipe assembly is provided. The method includes selecting a working substance, providing a heat pipe assembly, selectively permitting the gravity flow of a liquid working substance from a condenser to an evaporator of the heat pipe assembly through a discrete impermeable liquid return passage therebetween, and placing the evaporator and the condenser in heat transfer communication with a first material and a second material respectively, such that heat is exchanged therebetween. The evaporator comprises a flow modifier therein adapted to cause swirling of the working substance flow in the evaporator, and the condenser is cooled to condense the vaporized working substance received from the evaporator.

Abstract: A heat pipe assembly (10/110), under vacuum and having a working substance charged therein, comprising generally an evaporator (12/112) adapted to evaporate the working fluid and a condenser (16/116). The heat exchanging condenser is in fluid flow communication with the evaporator. The condenser is adapted to condense evaporated working substance received from the evaporator and has a reservoir (30/130), located at a higher elevation than the evaporator, for collecting liquid working fluid therein. A discrete, impermeable liquid return passage (36/136, 20/120) permitting the flow, by gravity, of the liquid working substance from the reservoir to the evaporator. The liquid return passage extends through the evaporator and terminates near the closed leading end thereof, and is fitted with a vent line (38/138) that diverts ascending vapor to the top of the condenser.

Abstract: A heat pipe assembly (10/110), under vacuum and having a working substance charged therein, comprising generally an evaporator (12/112) adapted to evaporate the working fluid and a condenser (16/116). The heat exchanging condenser is in fluid flow communication with the evaporator. The condenser is adapted to condense evaporated working substance received from the evaporator and has a reservoir (30/130), located at a higher elevation than the evaporator, for collecting liquid working fluid therein. A discrete, impermeable liquid return passage (36/136, 20/120) permitting the flow, by gravity, of the liquid working substance from the reservoir to the evaporator. The liquid return passage extends through the evaporator and terminates near the closed leading end thereof, and is fitted with a vent line (38/138) that diverts ascending vapor to the top of the condenser.

Abstract: A self-cooling lance or tuyere for the conveying of gases, liquids or solids into or onto a metallurgical bath comprises a heat pipe or thermosiphon made of two tubular members adapted to be immersed in a furnace environment at one end, such tubular members defining a closed annular chamber therebetween for containing a working substance adapted to evaporate in the region of the heat pipe which is in the furnace environment and flow toward the end which is out of the hot environment where it condenses and flows back to the evaporator region. Means are provided for introducing the gases, liquids or solids to be conveyed into the bath through the inner tubular member of the lance.

Abstract: A melt dispersible, floatable, solid additive for molten metal comprises an elongated body of the additive with a band or bands of a thermal barrier providing material therearound which is preferably heat decomposable and gas evolving at the temperature of the molten metal. When the additive is dropped or released and urged forcibly into the molten metal the formation of a solid casing of the molten metal on the body at the position of the band or bands is retarded so that melted additive is released at the position of the band or bands and the body separates into discrete parts thereby rapidly releasing the additive into the molten metal.