Abstract: The invention concerns the internal structure of a high temperature furnace. That structure includes a dome made of refractory bricks that are capable of withstanding the high temperature within a coal gasification generator. The structure also includes a supporting brick wall under the dome. And, it includes an inner wall made of refractory bricks. The latter is inside of the supporting wall. The inner wall shields the supporting wall from the highest temperature while it is free to expand without being subject to any compressive load from the dome.

Abstract: An arc furnace is provided with a variable-capacity ring which is placed at the top of a furnace body and which is split into a plurality of circumferential sections which in turn define in combination a top furnace wall portion, and a driving mechanism for causing the ring to move horizontally. As the ring is moved radially outwardly or inwardly of the furnace body, the height of the furnace body is varied and consequently the capacity or the volume of the furnace body can be varied. As a result, the overcharging of the charge (scrap) is much facilitated; that is, the number of back charges can be reduced. Furthermore, when the pile of the charge in the furnace body is lowered, the capacity or volume of the arc furnace is decreased so that unwanted thermal losses and oxidation and resulting wear of electrodes can be reduced to a minimum.

Abstract: A high temperature induction furnace (10) for drawing lightguide fiber (52) from a silica preform (44) has an axially located tubular zirconium dioxide susceptor (34) therein. Prior to use, at least a portion of the inside surface of the susceptor (34) is coated with a vapor deposited silica "soot" (54). The silica soot (54) is then consolidated at an elevated temperature. Surprisingly, such a technique substantially eliminates migration of zirconium dioxide particles from the susceptor (34) to the preform (44) and/or the fiber (52) without deleteriously affecting the susceptor (34) and/or the operation of the furnace (10).

Abstract: A pin for holding and/or cooling of a ceramic coating in hot reaction chambers has a pin shaft and a pin cap connected with one another in firm and heat-conductive manner, wherein the pin shaft is composed of material corresponding to the reaction conditions in the hot reaction chamber, and the pin cap is composed of a material corresponding to the material of the wall of the hot reaction chamber.

Abstract: In a shaft furnace having a metal shell, a refractory furnace lining inside the shell and a taphole construction comprising a drilled taphole extending through a plug located in an aperture in the shell and a taphole brick structure forming part of said furnace lining, the taphole brick structure at least partly consists of at least one taphole brick of high thermal conductivity material selected from the group comprising graphite, semi-graphite and material of equivalent heat conductivity, there further being screening means comprising material of substantially lower heat conductivity coefficient than graphite and semi-graphite located between said taphole brick and said furnace shell.

Abstract: A protective refractory member for protecting heat-absorptive elements in a high-temperature furnace comprises a refractory shape, an interconnected, reticulated metal mesh embedded within the shape and positioned substantially adjacent an inner surface of the shape and at least one opening extending through a thickness of the shape and through the mesh. A tubular insert is located within the opening and is welded to the spirals which define the mesh. Both the insert and certain of the spirals engage the heat-absorptive element and the insert is welded to the element to retain the member thereto.

Abstract: A lightweight cover provides heat insulation for a heated vessel such as a soaking pit. The cover can be readily assembled in a manner providing for ease of repair plus simplicity of maintenance. The cover has a pair of opposing frame members with ceramic fiber insulation positioned therebetween. The insulation is secured in movable engagement such as a draped and swinging engagement. In this mode, compression can be exerted against the insulation to most desirably reduce heat loss otherwise caused by heat induced ceramic fiber shrinkage. Moreover, with this structure a ceramic fiber heat seal can be achieved around edges of the soaking pit.

Abstract: A furnace lining in which insulation fibers are formed into mats which in turn are formed into prefabricated modules each of which is installed by forcing it into interlocking engagement with a matingly configured clip that has been previously secured to an interior surface of the furnace. Each insulation module includes a tray having a bottom portion including a plurality of openings capable of interlocking engagement with projections of a complementary clip. The tray further includes projections which secure rods that pass through the ceramic fiber insulation to secure it to the tray. A preferred tool for the installation of such a furnace lining is also described and the method of installation of such a lining.

Abstract: A blast heating apparatus includes an inner metal shell having therein a refractory lining. An outer metal shell surrounds at least a portion of the inner metal shell and defines therewith a double shell structure. Spacers are positioned between the outer and inner metal shells to define therebetween a gap. At least a portion of such gap is filled with a pourable dry material having a grain size of up to 8 mm and a heat conductivity of at least approximately 1.5 W/Km.

Abstract: The outside walls of the regenerator of a glass melting furnace is coated with a high temperature silicone elastomer. Several coats are applied in those areas of high differential pressure and low relative resistance to air flow therethrough. The cleanout panels in particular are provided with several coats.

Abstract: A blast heating apparatus includes an inner metal shell and an outer metal shell defining therebetween a gap filled with at least one pourable dry material, for example a mixture of SiC and graphite. To prevent excess pressure in the gap and to prevent condensate from entering the gap and attacking the outer shell, a piping system connects the gap to an area below the grate chamber of the blast heating apparatus.

Abstract: A high frequency induction furnace (10) for reflowing a portion of a lightguide preform (44) in order to draw a fiber (52) therefrom. The furnace (10) has a centrally located tubular susceptor (34) therein having a thin coating of the preform material (e.g., silica) on at least a portion of the inside surface thereof. A cylinder (62) is positioned in concentric, spaced relation about the susceptor (34) and is surrounded by an insulating grain (36). A high frequency coil (38) is energized to couple its electromagnetic field to the susceptor (34) to heat and reflow a portion of the preform (44) in order to draw the fiber (52) therefrom. The thin coating prevents contaminating particulates from migrating from small cracks in the inside surface of the susceptor (34) onto the preform (44) while the cylinder (62) prevents small particulate emanating from the insulating grain (36) from being drawn through larger cracks in the susceptor and onto the preform and/or the fiber 52.

Abstract: A tie back assembly for holding in place loose bricks forming an interior furnace wall is disclosed comprising a hold back plate, an adjustable stud holder assembly attachable at one end to the plate and extending through the furnace wall, and a locking means positioned outside the furnace for securely fixing the plate against the loose bricks.

Abstract: A support vessel for a metallurgical furnace having circumferentially spaced vertical support members which are laterally removable, as desired, from the area of the vessel wall. In one embodiment of the invention, the vertical supports are pivotally positioned at one end of the vessel wall.

Abstract: A method of lining an interior surface of a furnace with roll-type insulation by attaching a plurality of hooks onto the interior surface to be lined, folding back portions of the roll-type insulation on themselves to create folds in the roll-type insulation, and pressing the folds onto the hooks to thereby attach the roll-type insulation to the interior surface. Each of the plurality of hooks includes a hook member for passage through portions of the roll-type insulation. Each hook member is fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace either by being welded directly thereto when the interior surface of the furnace is metal or by being fixedly attached to a plate member which is in turn bolted, riveted, or otherwise fixedly attached to the interior surface of the furnace. The hook member includes a leg portion having a pointed first end for passage through the roll-type insulation and having a second end.

Abstract: A method of making thick-walled heat insulation modules by vacuum accreting ceramic fibers from an aqueous solution onto a mold and the product provided thereby. The dimensionally stable generally rigid modules have a thickness of 3"-8" and a density of 10-12 lbs. per cubic foot and are readily subdivided and/or tailored if desired for overlapping intermeshing assembly to provide a continuous lining for a high temperature chamber withstanding operating temperatures between 1600.degree. and 3,000.degree. F.

Abstract: A tank block has an inner surface facing a glass melt, an outer surface facing away from the melt, an upper or head portion and a lower or base portion. An inner layer is formed of a material which is highly resistant to corrosion by the glass melt. A central layer is formed of a material which is less resistant to corrosion and is joined to the inner layer. An outer insulating layer is firmly joined to the central layer. The tank block is designed so that the inner layer is thickest at those areas most subject to corrosion.

Abstract: The lining of conically narrowing or widening walls with brick is facilitated by laying the brick in courses which are closed rings, the bricks subtending an angle of about 5.degree. to 30.degree. with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A furnace lining formed from a plurality of blocks each comprising an assembly of stacked parallel plates and at least one profiled or toothed end member. The profiles are shaped to be capable of receiving in spaced relationship in the stack of plates. The profiled teeth of the end members are arranged perpendicularly to the stacking planes of the plates and extend individually laterally over at least a portion of the peripheral edge or corner of each plate so that an effective bond is obtained for the plates, as well as their assemblies.

Abstract: A shaft casing has a funnel-shaped widened upper portion connected to a cupola casing. Between the widened portion and a refractory shaft lining is a supporting frame having a platform on which a cupola lining rests. The frame is connected to the lower end of the widened portion.

Abstract: Basic refractory shapes in selected critical wear areas of a working lining in a basic oxygen furnace are protected from spalling due to thermal shock during "burn-in" and initial operation of the working lining and during the early part of a furnace campaign. A plurality of securing means comprising relatively thin, elongated, flat, generally rectangular anchors are positioned in selected joints in the working lining during installation. The anchors extend a distance beyond the hot faces of the working lining. A reticulated reinforcing means comprising a metallic grid is fastened to the anchors in spaced relationship to the hot faces. A layer of a pulverulent basic refractory material having a thickness sufficient to cover the anchors and metallic grid is sprayed over the working lining in the critical wear areas. The layer of sprayed material provides an effective insulation over the basic refractory shapes in the critical wear areas during "burn-in" of the working lining in the furnace.