Abstract: A graphitization furnace has a furnace structure including a support part within a furnace chamber, and a gate valve. The gate valve in an open state thereof after a graphitization process dumps a pack material within the furnace chamber in a state in which carbon bodies are located within the furnace chamber, and the support part catches the carbon bodies as a level of the carbon bodies lowers with a decrease in an amount of the pack material remaining within the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A heater having an insulating terminal mounting block, a thermostat and a terminal bushing mounted to a frame. The insulating terminal mounting block supports a plurality of removable terminal members. Each terminal member has a crimping structure at one end and a connection structure at its other end. A temperature sensitive fuse is crimped within the crimping structure of a first and a second of the terminal connection members. A unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the second and a third of the terminal members. A fourth terminal member is supported by the terminal bushing. A second unitary jumper strap connects between the connection structure of the fourth terminal member and a terminal of the thermostat. One terminal of a resistive heating wire is crimped within the crimping structure of one of the terminal connection members supported by the terminal mounting block.

Abstract: A heater having a frame supporting a heater element resistance wire and an in-line thermostat. The in-line thermostat has substantially flat connection terminals or terminals, each having a though hole. A substantially flat blade connects to each thermostat terminal by a single screw. The end of each blade distal from the screw is crimped to an end of the resistive wire or another conducting element. An insulating support mounts each blade to the frame. The blade may have bendable tabs for securing it to the insulating support.

Abstract: A batch type furnace includes a furnace body, a floor being removably attachable to the furnace body for forming a furnace chamber, and radiant tubes being substantially and uniformly arranged in the furnace body and the floor. The radiant tubes are controllable to a predetermined temperature independently of each other. The radiant tubes are made of an alloy having a heat resistance of such a degree as to tolerate quick heating and cooling.

Abstract: An electric furnace includes a heating element which is a hollow element made of a lanthanum chromite ceramic having an interior with two open ends in an longitudinal direction, terminal portions at the two ends, and a heat-generating portion between the terminal portions. The terminal portion has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the heat-generating portion on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The heating element is provided with high-temperature electrodes and metallic lead wires attached to the terminal portions to generate heat in the heat-generating portion. The electric furnace further includes a heat-insulating material surrounding the heating element, and a hollow ceramic member placed in the interior of the heating element.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: The electric furnace operating cycle time is substantially reduced by directing water into the porous pack of carbonaceous material surrounding the electrodes at a water rate adjusted to maximize vaporization of water into steam within the porous pack while allowing the steam to escape without contacting the electrodes.

Abstract: An electrode for a plasma carburizing furnace is disclosed which is adapted to provide a dynamic gas shroud for inhibiting the buildup of carbon soot on the insulating elements of the electrode. The reduction of carbon soot buildup on the insulating components dramatically reduces the frequency of electrical short-circuits across the insulating component, thereby increasing the availability of the furnace for processing of workpieces.

Abstract: A heat treating furnace in which an electrical resistance heating element is disposed in a chamber and is energized by way of a power feed through conductor which extends slidably through the wall of the furnace. An insulating washer and a retaining washer may be installed on and removed from the inner end portion of the feed through conductor from inside the furnace without either removing the conductor from the furnace wall or disconnecting the conductor from the heating element. A power terminal block and inlet and outlet lines for cooling water are adapted to be quickly and easily disconnected from the outer end portion of the feed through conductor to permit the conductor to be easily pulled inwardly through the furnace wall for servicing.