Abstract: A process and apparatus for the drying of coke fines without the generation of noxious quantities of dust by means of a burner flame and associated flue gases extending along an axis. The wet loose material is moved along the axis toward the burner and rotated to expose it to the flue gases for predrying the material. The major quantity of moisture is removed during the predrying and entrained in the discharged flue gases. The moisture level of the predried material is maintained sufficiently high to prevent dust generation. Thereafter, the movement and rotation of the predried material is continued in an enclosed space heated by the flame and gases, to complete the drying of the material with little or no dust generation.

Abstract: A rotating kiln having two rotating cylindrical chambers, these chambers having colinear axes which slope below the horizontal from the upper or loading end of the first chamber. The material to be processed into lightweight aggregate is introduced to the kiln at the upper end of the first chamber which is of narrower diameter than the second chamber. The lower end of the first chamber unites with the upper end of the second chamber providing an annular inner face for the second chamber.

Abstract: An energy saving and material conserving method and apparatus are provided for expanding and molding expandable thermoplastic polymer particles. Especially significant is the ability to produce molded objects of generally uniform density in the higher density range in the order of 4-15 pounds per square inch, or greater, as well as lower density molded objects due to improved control of the particle expansion.The particles are partially expanded in a vessel in a heated substantially dry atmosphere and agitated in a manner to provide uniform heating thereof. After an initial heating period to soften and partially expand the particles they are subjected to superatmospheric pressure to substantially prevent further expansion and are discharged and conveyed to a mold for further expansion therein.

Abstract: A process for the firing and sintering of granular material in a gas or oil heated shaft furnace is disclosed in which the material, fed from the top of the furnace passes downwards successively through an entry zone, a preheating zone, a firing zone in which burners are disposed around the furnace wall, and a cooling zone, and in which the feeding of the material at the top of the furnace is so effected that a central depression is maintained in the upper surface of the material in the entry zone, said surface sloping downwardly from the periphery of the entry zone into the central depression, so that segregation of the material occurs automatically, the coarser pieces of material rolling into the central depression, whereby a column of the coarser material is maintained along the vertical axis of the furnace.

Abstract: This invention provides a furnace system for and method of melting metal charges which utilizes hot gases generated by a burner, and are ordinarily discharged from the furnace as waste, for the dual purpose of preheating metal to be subsequently melted and preheating combustion air which is used to provide more efficient operation of the furnace burner.

Abstract: A calcinating device, or calcinator, is provided with a rotatable drum, the axis of which is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, and is adapted to be mounted inside a furnace and to be used for mixing and heating a mixture of sintered glass pieces and of radioactive wastes. The calcinator has, at the extremities thereof, two flanges to which are respectively fixed an upper sleeve on a level with which open an inlet conduit for the radioactive liquids, a conduit connected to a hopper for feeding sintered glass and a gas exhaust conduit, and a lower sleeve, the extension of which away from said drum is provided with an opening for expelling the calcinate obtained and transferring it to a smelting furnace. The calcinator is further provided with means for rotating and sealing same.

Abstract: A process is provided for melting glass forming ingredients by supplying all, or at least part, of the total heat required for such melting from the combustion of a combustible fuel which is an admixture of particulate coal and oil. The melting operating can be accomplished without any difficulty of temperature control and with no adverse effects on the quality or composition of the final glass. Excellent results are obtained employing, for example, a combustible fuel mixture of about 40% by weight of particulate coal having a particle size less than about 200 mesh and about 60% by weight of Number 2 fuel oil.

Abstract: A method of flame cutting using an improved industrial fuel gas composition consisting of an industrial fuel gas such as propane, butane, natural gas and acetylene, or a mixture thereof, and a supplemental hydrocarbon additive which, when combusted, emits radiant energy waves within the range of greatest absorbability of the material being cut.

Abstract: A process for the heat treatment of material in dust form in a rotary kiln installation having a condenser connected on the output side of the rotary kiln. One or more heat exchangers are connected on the input side of the kiln.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for direct coal firing of glass tank furnaces wherein pulverized coal entrained in an air stream is impelled through a nozzle into the furnace and combusted in the atmosphere directly above the melt in a glass furnace, to form a luminous flame, the direct coal firing preferably being used in conjunction with supplementary conventional heat sources.

Abstract: Improved white portland cement is made by utilizing briquettes or pellets having a smallest dimension of 1/4 to 3/4 inch to accomplish a uniform optimum heat transfer during the quenching step.

Abstract: In a method for melting a material in a vertical shaft furnace having an upper portion, a lower combustion zone portion and an intermediate post-burning portion, said upper and lower portions being separated by a restriction and wherein coke is burned and the material melted in said lower combustion zone by introducing a blast of air close to the bottom of the lower combustion zone to produce combustion gases containing CO and/or H.sub.

Abstract: In the production of annealed products such as inorganic pigments wherein pigment-forming starting materials are mixed, optionally with the addition of auxiliary substances, thereafter annealed, optionally ground, washed and then dried, the improvement which comprises adding water to the mixture of pigment-forming materials to form an aqueous suspension containing at least about 10% by weight of H.sub.2 O, and applying said suspension to the surface of a hearth which has been heated to at least about 500.degree.C, thereby to heat said materials and to effect annealing. Advantageously the hearth is a horizontal, flat ring rotating about its center and in the course of one rotation of the ring the applied material is heated to the temperature of formation of the desired annealed product, calcined and removed from the surface of the ring before the one rotation has been completed.