Abstract: A gasification melting furnace includes a gasification part into which the combustible material inputs, a sedimentary part communicating with a lower part of the gasification part, and a melting part communicating with a lateral face of the sedimentary part and having a heater, wherein the sedimentary part is filled with the combustible material and a gas generated in the melting part passes through the combustible material and inputs into the gasification part, thereby stably and rapidly treating the combustible material, reducing energy consumption of the heater, and providing a synthetic gas containing decreased hazardous substances.

Abstract: This invention aims at providing a silicon electromagnetic casting apparatus for accurate and easy manufacturing of high quality silicon ingots. This apparatus uses a furnace vessel 100, a conductive crucible 200 installed in the internal part of the furnace vessel 100 and an induction coil 300 installed on the outer circumference of the crucible 200. Constant pressure is maintained in the internal part of the furnace vessel 100 using a prescribed gas and the silicon inside the above mentioned crucible 200 is solidified after melting it by induction heating by applying voltage on the induction coil 300. The induction coil 300 is made by placing 2 induction coils 310 and 320 having different induction frequencies one above the other.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing fused silica includes at least one anodic plasma arc electrode and at least one cathodic plasma arc electrode adjustably arranged with respect to one another so that the plasma arcs formed thereby couple together to form a plasma arc coupling zone. A feedstock material is fed into a region between the electrodes or to a region near the electrodes where the plasma arc coupling zone is formed. A platform is located beneath the plasma arc coupling zone to receive the silica product which is formed in the plasma arc coupling zone. The platform may be rotated about its axis and move up and down along its axis. A cooling device also may be included with the platform. The plasma anode torch used in the apparatus includes a cylindrical nozzle with a non-consumable, copper, blunt ended electrode disposed therein. A channel is provided between the electrode and the nozzle wall to allow the plasma gas to pass through the torch.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the synthesis of ultra-free (submicron) ceramic carbides in a thermal plasma torch reactor using primarily silica, boron oxide, titanium dioxide or other oxides as metal sources and methane as a reductant. A plasma torch operated with both argon and helium as plasma gases and having methane as a primary carrier gas is connected to the plasma reactor for providing the heat necessary to carry out the reaction. A collection chamber with both interior and exterior cooling is connected to the reactor for quenching of the reactants. Cooling is provided to the torch, the reactor and the collection using coils, baffles and jackets.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the thermal conversion of methane to hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight, comprising an elongated reactor 1 provided with an inlet 5 for supplying a gas mixture containing methane (process gas) and an outlet at the opposite end, the reactor over a first part towards the inlet end having a plurality of electric heaters 3 surrounded by sheaths 4. The heaters, e.g., electric resistors, which are spaced apart and are substantially parallel with respect to one another, are arranged in substantially parallel rows perpendicular to the axis of the reactor so as to permit circulation of the process gas and/or effluent between the sheaths and/or between the sheaths and walls 22 separating two consecutive rows. The heaters heat the passages by successive independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reaction. Towards the outlet end, the reactor further comprises an injector for supplying cooling fluid, which cools the effluent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed, for treating dross containing a metal such as aluminum, in order to recover this metal, In this process, the dross to be treated is introduced into a rotary or oscillating furnace, in which it is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the metal to be recovered while the furnace is rotated or oscillated to cause the metal to be recovered to separate from the dross. After the separation is completed, the metal to be recovered is removed from the furnace prior to removing the balance of the dross. In this process, the furnace that is used is a radiating arc furnace having two opposite electrodes which are preferably made of graphite, between which an electrical arc is generated and maintained in order to provide the desired heating.

Abstract: An electric furnace comprising a container having electrically isolated wall segments useful for melting materials, particlularly ceramics, is disclosed.The electric fornace's side walls are constructed from electrically isolated segments, which cause electric current from a plasma torch to be concentrated on the material in the furnace to be melted rather than diverted to the walls of the furnace.

Abstract: A process for treating metal comprises applying a positive DC potential to an ionic melt layer disposed on the surface of a liquid metal. The application of this potential provides a plasma phase above the ionic melt layer and induces a flow of electrons from the liquid metal towards the plasma phase. The ionic melt layer is capable of being maintained in a liquid state when it is in contact with the liquid metal. The process can be used either to remove impurities from the liquid metal, to alloy the liquid metal by adding metal compounds in the ionic melt layer, to recover metals from waste, or to perform a combination of these functions. An apparatus for treating liquid metals is also provided.

Abstract: A process for the sintering of silicon carbide refractory or ceramic articles using plasma arc gases. In the process of the invention, a formed silicon carbide article is heated in a plasma fired furnace to a sintering temperature of between 2000.degree. C.-2500.degree. C. at a heating rate of 300.degree. C./hr-2000.degree. C./hr, and held at the sintering temperature for 0.1-2 hours. The enthalpy of the plasma gas is 2000 BTU/lb-4000 BTU/lb, when nitrogen is used as the plasma gas. The total cycle time for the process of the invention, including cooling and loading, is 1.5-20 hours. Silicon carbide articles, produced in accordance with the invention, have high strength, high density, high corrosion resistance and high dimensional stability.

Abstract: Method for heating the reducing gas of a blast furnace by means of a plasma generator. The reducing gas flows through a pipe into which issues the nozzle of the plasma generator. The pipe leads towards a tuyere of injection into the blast furnace, and the axis of said nozzle converging towards that of the pipe. The method is characterized in that the acute angle A between the axis of the nozzle and the axis of the pipe is at the most equal to 50.degree., in that the distance 1 separating the point of intersection of the axis of the pipe with the axis of the nozzle from the center of the outlet orifice of the nozzle is at the most equal toD/2sinA,D being the inner diameter of the reducing gas inlet pipe, and in that the ratioD/d,in which d is the inner diameter of the outlet orifice of the nozzle is at least equal to 1.5. The object of the method is to eliminate wear of the reducing gas pipe by means of the jet of plasma.

Abstract: A melting furnace or cupola utilizing electric arc heaters to provide an arc-heated air stream to melt loose metal chips as well as larger pieces of metal scrap. In one embodiment, the arc-heated gas stream and metal chips are directed into a melting segment with the melted chips and gas stream passing therefrom into the furnace through a tuyere. In another embodiment an electric arc heater serves as a tuyere for the furnace with the metal chips being fed into the arc-heated stream at the outlet of the arc heater. The chips and arc-heated air stream immediately enter the furnace wherein melting of the metal chips occurs. With either embodiment, recycling of the gases in the furnace and metal chip preheat can be provided.