Abstract: A heating apparatus includes at least a pair of regenerative burner units having a fuel injection nozzle and a heat regenerator provided for a combustion air supply path. One regenerative burner unit is supplied with fuel through a fuel shut-off valve and a fuel change-over valve, and supplied with combustion air through a supply and exhaust change-over valve to perform combustion operation. The other regenerative burner unit performs heat regenerating operation by passing a combustion waste gas. Operations of the fuel shut-off valve, the fuel change-over valve and the supply and exhaust change-over valve are controlled depending upon an operation parameter of the heating apparatus.

Abstract: A skid beam for use in a walking beam type heating furnace which has operating temperature exceeding 1000.degree. C. comprises a hollow skid pipe of heat resistant alloy, skid buttons provided upright on the skid pipe and arranged axially thereof at a predetermined spacing, and a refractory lining covering the outer peripheral surface of the skid pipe and each of the skid buttons over the base portion thereof toward its upper portion. Each of the skid buttons comprises a first member attached to the skid pipe and made of a heat-resistant alloy, and a second member to be brought into contact with the material to be heated. The second member is made of a composite material composed of a heat-resistant alloy and ceramic particles dispersed therein in an amount of 30 to 70% by weight based on the composite material. The skid button has a height exceeding 120 mm.