Abstract: A method for heating ware in a kiln. The ware space of the kiln includes a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a second direction. The method includes heating the ware space in a first heating stage, a second heating stage, and a third heating stage. At least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) in one of the heating stages, a temperature control zone oriented in the first direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the first direction; and (ii) in one of the heating stages, one temperature control zone oriented in the second direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a set point temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the second direction, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction and the second direction is a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A port assembly for controlling the delivery of gases into the horizontal rotating reactor such as kiln gasifier is disclosed for introducing reactant gases. The port assembly comprises a cylindrical conduit is divided into noncommunicating four or more sections extending through the entire length of the kiln and supported by the stationary end plates of the rotating kiln gasifier. Each section of the conduit communicates with external supply of the reactant gases and each supply of reactant gases is independently controlled in terms of the composition and quantity. Each section of the port assembly communicates with the interior of the kiln gasifier through the plurality of nozzles are confined in the lower part of the conduit. The number and the size of the nozzles in individual section of the conduit is based on the desired flow of gases and available pressure for the supply of the reactant gases.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed gas heater (110) includes a heater main body, an introduction hole (132) configured to introduce a fuel gas into the heater main body, a combustion chamber (136) configured to combust the fuel gas flowing from introduction hole, and a discharge section (138) into which an exhaust gas generated by combustion in the combustion chamber is guided. The heater main body includes a radiation surface (140) heated by the exhaust gas flowing through the discharge section and configured to transfer radiant heat to a heating target (156). An ejection port (142a) configured to partially or entirely eject the exhaust gas to the heating target is formed at the radiation surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for firing a porous ceramic structure of the honeycomb type on a firing setter, said structure comprising a plurality of longitudinal through-channels terminating in two ends of the structure, the end bearing on the setter having a maximum width LS before firing, in a longitudinal sectional plane passing through the principal axis of the structure, said process being characterized in that the setter has, in said longitudinal sectional plane: a first level corresponding to a first face of the setter serving as bearing surface for the structure to be fired, said level having a maximum width L1; a second level, spaced away from said first face of the setter by a thickness E1-2, said second level having a maximum width L2; the width L1 being equal to or greater than LS; and the width L2 being less than L1, and also to the setter as described above.

Abstract: A method of making ceramic bodies includes systematically orienting the bodies during firing relative to a temperature gradient in a kiln. The systematic orientation of the bodies relative to the temperature gradient can allow for an average deviation of a measured shape of the ceramic bodies from a predetermined target contour shape to be less than what they would be if the bodies were oriented randomly relative to the temperature gradient.

Abstract: A method for fabricating ceramic honeycomb structural bodies that includes conveying at least one green honeycomb structural body of a first type and at least one green honeycomb structural body of a second type through a kiln in a manner which reduces cracking or fissures in the fired objects.

Abstract: Ceramic nanopowder was sealed inside a metal container under a vacuum. The sealed evacuated container was forced through a severe deformation channel at an elevated temperature below the melting point of the ceramic nanopowder. The result was a dense nanocrystalline ceramic structure inside the metal container.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally debinding a cellular ceramic green body includes a duct preferably defined between a first housing and a second housing. A carrier assembly for the green body is adapted for arrangement within a channel such that the green body is positioned between a first portion of the channel and a second portion of the channel. The apparatus further includes a nozzle positioned to inject gases from the duct into a first portion of the channel and a recirculation fan positioned to draw gases out of a second portion of the channel and discharge the gases into the duct. Also described is a carrier assembly including a base support comprising a plurality of spaced stringer beams having spaces between adjacent ones; and a plurality of ring supports including openings, said ring supports mounted on, and bridging the spaces between, the stringer beams, the ring supports having a surface adapted to support the green body.

Abstract: A method for bonding an electrically conductive silicon carbide structure to an electrically conductive siliconized silicon carbide structure by temporarily securing the siliconized silicon carbide structure to the silicon carbide structure; placing the silicon carbide structure with secured siliconized silicon carbide structure into an induction heating furnace having an induction coil which heats electrically conductive material in the furnace when sufficient electrical power at a frequency of from about 300 to about 1000 KC is passed through the coil; and causing sufficient electrical power at a frequency of from about 300 to about 1000 KC to be passed through the coil to raise the temperature of the siliconized silicon carbide structure and silicon carbide structure to a temperature above about 1500° C.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a sulfoaluminate or ferroaluminate cement, and an apparatus for the manufacture. The cement is manufactured from a mixture containing CaCO3, Al3 and/or Al(OH)3, CaSO4, SiO2 and/or a product containing silica or silicates such as clay, these compounds being present in the anhydrous or hydrated form. In this process, the mixture is treated up to clinkering by movement in a center of a kiln, in a sheet with approximately constant thickness, at approximately constant speed, along a treatment path having a positive temperature gradient, and for a treatment time during which the mixture remains below its melting temperature. The mixture is clinkered to produce a clinkered mixture that is cooled upon exit from the treatment path.

Abstract: An alumina-based porous support with uniform physical properties is obtained in a rapid sintering process. An alumina raw material including a raw alumina powder and an inorganic binder is molded into an article, and the article is then sintered for 5 to 8 hours at 1520 to 1560.degree. C. using a roller hearth kiln.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of ceramic articles having a thickness of at least about 2.5 cm, which comprises:a) selecting the ceramic composition from the group consisting of silicate material, metal oxides, nitrides and carbides, and mixtures thereof, optionally adding ceramic fibers, such as boron nitride or silicon carbide fibers, to the ceramic composition,b) autoclaving the ceramic composition to increase its hydrogen form contents, which increases the composition's microwave absorptivity,c) forming the ceramic composition into the desired shape, andd) subjecting the composition so shaped to microwave energy to internally heat and thereby dry and sinter the composition, optionally with external heat applied by means of electrical resistance or gas fired heating. Novel apparatuses for the extrusion and vibrocompaction of ceramic compositions, the drying of ceramic masses, kilns for microwave-assisted firing of the ceramic articles, cars, and a hydraulic air handling system for tunnel kilns.