Abstract: An apparatus for use in direct resistance heating of a molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a finer or connecting pipe, is provided. The apparatus comprises a flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall during use of the flange and an outer ring that receives electric current during use of the flange. The innermost ring comprises a high-temperature resistant metal preferably comprising at least 80% platinum, and the outermost ring preferably comprising at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. Either one or both of the width or thickness of one or both of the inner or outer rings varies as a function of angular position relative to the vessel. The width and/or thickness of the inner and the outer rings with relation to each other produces a uniform current distribution in the flange and the vessel.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for use in conveying molten glass from a first vessel to a second vessel, wherein at least a portion of the first vessel is nested within the second vessel without contact between the first and second vessels, and a flexible member comprising a gas-tight seal separates an atmosphere enclosed by the sealing apparatus and an ambient atmosphere. The sealing apparatus is useful for flexibly sealing a non-contact joint between conduits for supplying molten glass to a forming body.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in direct resistance heating of a molten glass-carrying vessel, such as a finer or connecting pipe, is provided. The apparatus comprises a flange comprises a plurality of electrically-conductive rings that include an inner ring joined to the vessel's exterior wall during use of the flange and an outer ring that receives electric current during use of the flange. The innermost ring comprises a high-temperature resistant metal preferably comprising at least 80% platinum, and the outermost ring preferably comprising at least 99.0% nickel. This combination of materials both increases the reliability of the flange and reduces its cost. Either one or both of the width or thickness of one or both of the inner or outer rings varies as a function of angular position relative to the vessel. The width and/or thickness of the inner and the outer rings with relation to each other produces a uniform current distribution in the flange and the vessel.

Abstract: A chamber (101, 201), for holding molten glass (113, 202) having a free surface (114, 203), includes a bellows (4, 204), a sealing ring (10, 210), and a cover (30, 50, 230). The bellows is coupled to the chamber, and the sealing ring is coupled to the bellows. The sealing ring may include one or more various devices, associated with operation of the chamber, including: an atmosphere supply tube (14, 214), an electric lead (12), a pressure differential sensor (16, 216), a thermo couple, an oxygen sensor, and/or an auxiliary port (18). The sealing ring further includes an upper opening (21) having an inner diameter (22). The cover is removably coupled to the sealing ring and extends over the sealing-ring-upper-opening inner diameter, wherein the sealing ring is disposed between the cover and the chamber. The cover may include various separately removable sections (30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 50, 52, 54).

Abstract: An oblong conduit (13) for conditioning molten glass is disclosed. The wall (23) of the conduit is composed of a precious metal, e.g., a platinum-rhodium alloy, and can be equipped with precious metal tabs (29) for supporting the upper surface (25) of the wall so as to reduce sag of that surface at such times as the conduit is at an elevated temperature and is not filled with glass. The precious metal tabs (29) can be received in channels (31) formed in a refractory support structure (27). The refractory support structure (27) can be a laminate of two layers (33,35), where one of the layers (33) has a smaller grain structure than the other layer (35), the layers being held together by an adhesive (37).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is set forth for packaging substrates in a monolith reactor, wherein the substrates are positioned in a stacked relationship along a longitudinal axis of the reactor housing. The stack of substrates is supported in a fixed position at the bottom of the stack, and the upper end of the stack is provided with a predetermined constant compression to not only compensate for different expansions between the stacked substrates and the reactor housing, but also to hold the stacked assemblies together in a tight relationship so as to prevent deleterious vibration of the substrates. The compression is preferably applied by spring-loaded means, which may be adjusted by threading a nut against the loading spring.

Abstract: A chemical reactor for catalytically processing a fluid feed stream comprises a reactor vessel incorporating a structured catalyst bed, and additionally comprises one or more catalytically active, fluid-permeable seals provided in gaps between the catalyst bed and the walls of the reactor vessel to treat portions of the fluid feed stream otherwise by-passing the structured catalyst for treatment.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus is set forth for packaging substrates in a monolith reactor, wherein the substrates are positioned in a stacked relationship along a longitudinal axis of the reactor housing. The stack of substrates is supported in a fixed position at the bottom of the stack, and the upper end of the stack is provided with a predetermined constant compression to not only compensate for different expansions between the stacked substrates and the reactor housing, but also to hold the stacked assemblies together in a tight relationship so as to prevent deleterious vibration of the substrates. The compression is preferably applied by spring-loaded means, which may be adjusted by threading a nut against the loading spring.