Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an expanded granulate from sand grain-shaped mineral material (1) with a propellant, wherein the material (1) is fed into a vertically upright furnace (2) from above and said material (1) falls along a drop section (4) through multiple heating zones (5) in a furnace shaft (3) of the furnace (2), wherein each heating zone (5) is heatable using at least one independently controllable heating element (6), and the material (1) is heated to a critical temperature at which the surfaces (7) of the sand grains (15) plasticize and the sand grains (15) are expanded by the propellant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opening and closing device of an autoclave and the autoclave, wherein: supplying and discharging of a product to a chamber having a sealed structure can be performed automatically, and the occurrence of accidents caused by back pressure is structurally prevented; and a product bonded by pre-load is heated and transferred whereby energy loss is minimized and the product is cooled off uniformly, thereby improving the quality of the product.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for cooling a bar (10) comprising:—an outer casing (3),—a passageway (2) defining a crossing direction (X) for the bar (10),—at least one drum (4) comprising a plurality of cooling lines (6) each having at least one respective through cavity (9) parallel to the crossing direction (X) and a respective cover (15) which can move between an open position and a closed position, the drum (4) being accommodated in the casing (3) and rotational about a rotation axis (Y) to move the cooling lines (6) between an operating position (11), in which the cavity (9) is aligned with the passageway (2), and at least one resting position (12), in which the cavity (9) is separated from the passageway (2), the casing (3) being shaped so as to touch and hold the respective cover (15) in the closed position when the cooling line (6) is in the resting position (12).

Abstract: A quenching apparatus is disclosed which has a generally cylindrical base and upper housing. A removable cover is affixed to the top of the upper housing. The quenching apparatus includes means for supporting the removable cover above the upper housing such that a passageway is defined between the upper housing and the removable cover. A generally cylindrical door is dimensioned and positioned within the quenching apparatus to be coaxial within the upper housing and the base. An actuator is coupled to the cylindrical door for moving the door between an open position and a closed position. In this manner, the door is adapted for closing the opening between the base and the upper housing and thereby provides a closed quenching chamber. Redundant retractable seals are provided in the base and the upper housing to seal the door to the upper housing and the base when the door is closed.

Abstract: A continuous furnace has a housing defining an interior chamber, and a plurality of endless rotatable devices within the interior chamber arranged in a series of rows with multiple ones of the endless rotatable devices in each of the rows. Multiple heaters are within the interior chamber adjacent to the plurality of endless rotatable devices. A drive system is configured to drive at least some of the endless rotatable devices at different speeds than others of the endless rotatable devices. Nozzles may be used to dispense fluid onto material sample containers passing through the furnace along the endless rotatable devices.

Abstract: Method for cooling granular solid materials from a continuous curing facility having at least one area for burning a fuel to cure granular materials, wherein the curing of the granular materials, then the cooling of the cured granular materials is carried out in two consecutive steps, a first cooling step in a first cooler and a second cooling step in a second cooler, the method including: providing a cold air source for cooling the granular materials, the cold air source directly supplying air to the second cooler by blowing, and the air heated by the cured granular materials being used during the cooling as combustion gas for the burning area. All gases generated by the first and second coolers are routed to the burning area for use as a combustion gas, and the amount of cold air blown to the second cooler is adjusted to cover the air combustion needs.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the calcining and manufacturing of synthetic pozzolan with desirable color properties. Feed material is dried, crushed, and preheated in a drier crusher. The dry, crushed material is collected and fed to a calciner where it is heated to become a synthetic pozzolan. The synthetic pozzolan is then fed to a cooler where it is maintained for a least a portion of the cooling step in a reducing atmosphere.

Abstract: A tunnel oven and method for heating transported carbonaceous material includes an enclosure with a passage having a first and second length and an interconnection between the first and second length. A transport device in the passage moves solid carbonaceous material through and along the first length of the passage. A water cooling mechanism along the second length of the passage and a cooling controller operatively coupled to the cooling mechanism to provide a quantity of water for cooling the carbonaceous material to a temperature below the oxidation temperature of the carbonaceous material in air and above the boiling point of the water so that the quantity of water is completely vaporized to form steam and the carbonaceous material is discharged at the cooled temperature without any liquid water discharge.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for cooling or quenching slabs and sheets (2) with water in a cooling pond (1, 14) wherein the slabs and the sheets (2), previously set upright by a tilting device (18), are lowered and temporarily maintained in position on edge. The inventive method is characterized in that the slabs and the sheets are sprayed with the cooling water. Therefor, the cooling pond (1) has, on both sides of the lowered slabs and sheets (2) jet devices (10; 11a, 11b) directed towards the surfaces of the large sides of the slabs or sheets and connected to a cooling water circuit which comprises means for reducing the water filling supply from a maximum upper water level (13b) to a lower water level (13a).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating vanishing points from an image, a computer program and a storage medium thereof are provided. One of the methods for detecting the vanishing points from an image includes a dividing step for dividing the image into small patches, a first detecting step for detecting each patch's local orientations, a composing step for composing lines of pencils from which at least one vanishing point is to be computed based on the local orientations detected in the first detecting step, and a computing step for computing at least one vanishing point based on the lines of pencils composed in the composing step. On the basis of the computed vanishing points, the perspective rectification on a document image can be executed accurately and quickly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for short-time heat treatment and/or quenching of bulk materials and can be used for the chemical, food, wood and other industries. The inventive method for a pulse heat treatment of bulk materials consists in evaporating surface moisture, rapidly heating to a required temperature and in subsequently cooling by supplying particles to a rotating surface whose temperature is greater than 100° C., wherein the contact of particles with the hot surface is carried out by means of centrifugal forces, the time of contact and a pressure force are controlled by modifying the speed of rotation of the hot surface and the particle quenching stage is carried out on a cooling plate by the rapid cooling said particles and collecting a final product in an accumulator.

Abstract: A resist processing method includes (a), to a substrate having a circuit pattern with an uneven surface formed thereon, coating a photoresist solution to, by doing so, form a photoresist film, (b) subjecting the substrate to heat processing to cause a portion of the photoresist film to be chemically modified to create a modified resist layer of a substantially uniform thickness from the uneven surface of the circuit pattern, and (c) selectively removing only a resist portion unmodified at the step (b) to leave a modified resist layer on the uneven surface of the circuit pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling heat-treated metallic work pieces, particularly jet engine components that are normally round in shape, have a complex radial cross-section, and are subject to subsequent machining steps, includes a set of concentric air quench delivery tubes for directing a compressed air quench onto specified areas of the work piece for cooling. A first set of tubes is located above the work piece, and a second set of tubes is located below the work piece. The tubes include a multiplicity of bores around their circumference. The air quench tubes are placed in close proximity to the relatively thicker and more massive portion of the work piece, while the thinner and less massive portions are allowed to cool in normal ambient air, thereby cooling the entire part at a substantially uniform rate. Shields placed at specified locations blocks the flow of compressed air and redirect it away from the thin portions of the part.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing insulating glass units is disclosed that comprises delivering a succession of high temperature insulating glass units from an oven and a press, moving successive IGUs along a travel path with the major surfaces of each IGU extending substantially parallel to the major surfaces of adjacent IGUs, establishing an IGU cooling station on the travel path, moving the IGUs into heat exchange relationship with a fluent cooling medium at the cooling station to reduce the IGU temperature, and thereafter closing and sealing a vent opening of each IGU. Successive IGUs are moved along the travel path with their major surfaces disposed in substantially vertical planes and successive IGUs disposed in closely spaced relation. The cooling station comprises at least a blower for directing cooling medium onto IGUs moving through the cooling station. The blower directs cooling medium onto the IGUs in a direction parallel to the major surfaces.

Abstract: A reflow soldering apparatus includes a plurality of heating compartments connected in series for heating objects for soldering; transporting means for successively carrying the objects through the compartments; and at least first and second cooling compartments connected subsequent to the heating compartments for cooling the soldered objects. The first cooling compartment subjects the objects to a first, descending temperature gradient, and the second cooling compartment subjects the objects to a second, descending temperature gradient, wherein the second temperature gradient is steeper than the first temperature gradient. The objects are cooled in the first cooling chamber to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the solder.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a belt type furnace. More specifically, this invention relates to a belt type furnace that sequentially stops the belt at the vicinity of at least one cooling unit, and where the cooling unit comprises at least two cooling elements. The furnace also allows the cooling of parts in such a way that the part cools uniformly.

Abstract: In a grate cooler, the unstable state which is attributable to an unusually strong accumulation of the combustion material is prevented by the fact that the waste air from the cooler, which is to be fed as secondary air to the kiln, is injected with water. This is expediently carried out in the inlet region of the cooler in dependence upon the temperature and/or the pressure of the secondary air in the kiln hood.

Abstract: A furnace body is partly or thoroughly made of a metal material. An inner peripheral face of the metal material portion is covered by a lining. Spray means for cooling the lining of a relatively thin portion via the metal material portion of the furnace body is disposed outside the furnace body. When wastes are to be melted, wastes are melted under a state where the spray means sprays coolant on the outer face of the furnace body and cools the lining, thereby preventing erosion of the lining from occurring.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling hot ceramic articles from above and below with steam and water.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a belt type furnace. More specifically, this invention relates to a belt type furnace that sequentially stops the belt at the vicinity of at least one cooling unit, and where the cooling unit comprises at least two cooling elements. The furnace also allows the cooling of parts in such a way that the part cools uniformly.

Abstract: The method involves passing the ceramics through water, by means of immersion and/or in jets, and/or sprayed, and/or nebulized, and/or in the form of steam. The plant includes a cooling booth (CR) which may be divided into one or more stations: with spray nozzles (2), with packs of revolving disks (5), with immersion (B) and with steam injectors (4). Cooling may take place in a closed cycle.

Abstract: A thermal cycling apparatus having an upper heat chamber and a lower cold chamber positioned vertically beneath the upper heat chamber and vertically coaxial therewith whereby a material to the thermal cycle tested can be transferred between the upper heat chamber and the lower cold chamber. An externally operated flapper door within the thermal cycling apparatus separates the two chambers. The material to be thermally tested is placed in a basket constructed of suitable material which can be translated between the two chambers from a location externally of the chambers. The temperature in the upper chamber is elevated by gaseous nitrogen to a temperature up to about 1000 degrees F. and the lower cold chamber is cooled by a cryogenic liquid. Cycle testing is preformed by alternately transferring the material, i.e. 40 or more specimens at a time, between the upper and lower chambers the number of times desired.

Abstract: A water box is used to cool hot rolled products in a rolling mill. The water box includes a base structure supporting a removable manifold, and a plurality of nozzles removably mounted on and in fluid communication with the manifold. The nozzles are lined with inserts which may be replaced when worn. The manifold is reversible end to end, as are the nozzles, thus enabling the water box to be used on either of two parallel rolling lines.

Abstract: A process for treating high sulfur petroleum coke to inhibit puffing is disclosed wherein particles of the petroleum coke are contacted with a compound containing an alkali or alkaline earth metal selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, at an elevated temperature above that at which the alkali or alkaline earth metal compound begins to react with carbon, but below the temperature at which the coke particles would begin to puff in the absence of the compound. The coke particles are maintained at an elevated temperature for a sufficient period of time to permit the reaction to proceed and allow products of reaction to penetrate into the particles and form an alkali-or alkaline-earth-metal-containing deposit throughout the mass of the particles; and then cooling the so-treated coke particles.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for heating fluid particulate material comprising a heating chamber, heating means associated with the heating chamber, a hopper mounted above the heating chamber, a delivery chamber located below the heating chamber, a set of flow passageways extending through the heating chamber between the hopper and delivery chamber, said delivery chamber having an outlet at its lower portion.

Abstract: Continuous thermal treatment for the strengthening of metallic workpieces is carried out by placing a batch of at least two workpieces on a basket hinged on a continuously advancing conveyor chain; introducing said workpieces in said basket through a first instantaneously opening and closing gate into a uniformly heated first thermal treating step wherein the continuously advancing workpieces are heated at a temperature of about 560.degree. C.; introducing the heated workpieces in said basket through a second instantaneously opening and closing gate into a second thermal treatment step placed immediately after the end of the first step and in communication therewith, by lifting a vat containing a cooling fluid to immerse said workpieces in said basket into the cooling fluid of said vat to rapidly cooling said workpieces to a temperature of about 100.degree. C. and thereafter lowering said vat.

Abstract: In the cooling and further treatment of hot white cement clinker wherein the cooling must be protected against exposure to oxygen so that it retains its white color, it is proposed in accordance with the invention that the hot white cement clinker departing the clinker calcining kiln be sprayed with water in an oxygen-free atmosphere and subsequently conducted in counter-current flow relative to a warm drying gas steam which is withdrawn together with the vapors picked up from the cement clinker, being withdrawn separated from the cooled, dried, white cement clinker. The manufacture of white cement clinker upon application of the clinker cooling and clinker drying of the invention requires a considerably lower overall thermal outlay than the manufacture of white cement clinker utilizing previously known clinker cooling methods employing a water bath.

Abstract: According to the present invention, white cement clinker particles are not burned in a rotary kiln and the burned clinker particles are not immersed in the water to be cooled. White cement clinker raw materials are burned in a fluidized bed burning furnace with a fluid bed or a spouted bed and the clinker particles thus burned are reduced with a reducing gas. The clinker particles thus reduced are first cooled with the water which is sprayed over the clinker particles and then further cooled with the air. The white cement clinker raw material particles fed into the fluidized bed burning furnace are burned into clinker particles while forming a fluidized bed and then the clinker particles thus burned drop through a jet injection pipe into a reduction chamber disposed below the burning furnace and are reduced. The clinker particles thus reduced are rapidly cooled to 600.degree.-700.degree. C.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for hot elongated work is formed by a tubular or generally cylindrical cluster of longitudinally extending tubes having interspaced discharge means and surrounding the work so that when the tubes are supplied with cooling fluid the work is showered on all sides.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cooling hot bulk material, such as red-hot coke, sinter, or clinker, and, in particular, for relieving a gas stream flowing through the hot bulk material to cool the same includes continuously charging hot bulk material into a cooler housing and onto the free surface of spread bulk material already contained within the cooler housing and cooling the hot bulk material by absorbing and removing the intensive heat radiation radiated from the surface of the hot bulk material in a radiation cooling surface extending over in facing relationship to the free surface of hot bulk material.

Abstract: The rotary hearth furnace plant for heating granular high-carbon solids comprises an approximately funnel-shaped hearth, which rotates on a vertical axis and has a central outlet, which is disposed over a rotary table, on which the heated solids are moved by means of blades to an exit. The outlet of the rotary hearth furnace is disposed over the radially outer portion of the rotary table, which has a raised rim and a centrally disposed exit. A gastight hood is disposed between the rim of the rotary table and the rotary hearth.

Abstract: An apparatus for hardening a steel pipe by quenching it with cooling water, comprises a cylindrical assembly including a casing and a cover, said casing being removably mated with said cover so that said cylindrical assembly may be selectively opened or closed, a plurality of supports disposed within said cylindrical assembly for supporting a steel pipe to be hardened so as to align the steel pipe with said cylindrical assembly, and nozzle means disposed at one end of said cylindrical assembly for injecting cooling water into said cylindrical assembly for cooling water to flow both outside and inside the steel pipe in the longitudinal direction thereof. The steel pipe is uniformly quenched over its entire length.

Abstract: Coils of metal strip are cooled by being placed on porous supports with the coil axes vertical. Water is introduced into the coil interiors and most of the water overflows the coil tops and thereby cools the coil tops and peripheries. A small proportion of the water flows out through the porous supports and thereby cools the bottom ends of the coils. The water is preferably introduced from below. Apparatus for performing cooling is disclosed.

Abstract: At the breakdown hoist located in a timber processing operation, between a direct-fired ash-producing combustor for generating the heated gas stream for kilning a pile of lumber and the feed for a downstream operation such as planing, at which hoist the kilned lumber is progressively destacked in a tilting, sliding and tumbling operation that results in the shunting-aside of spacer sticks and the conversion of the pile to a single layer of lumber progressing on a feeding deck toward the downstream operation, the exposed upper face of the pile is sprayed with a fog of water sufficient to wet-down the ash so that it does not become an airborne irritant. As to each course in the pile, this wetting-down is completed before that course slides or tumbles from the pile. Preferably the spraying utilizes a bank of full cone fog nozzles.

Abstract: A continuous process for heating a fluid by recovering heat from a heated, pumpable aqueous slurry of granular material wherein the slurry is passed through an indirect heat exchanger to heat the fluid and then passed to a second indirect heat exchanger to preheat water for forming of further heated, pumpable slurry, with the slurry next passed to a third indirect heat exchanger to heat makeup water to the system and then to a thickener wherein the granular material is separated and the water recovered from the thickener is returned to the system.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a metal shell enclosing a spaced adapted to be heated, low heat retention, thermal shock resistant insulation on one substantially entire surface of the metal shell, a heater to heat the space enclosed by the metal shell, a vent for heated gases from the shell-enclosed space, a conduit and nozzle to supply atomized water into the shell-enclosed space to controllably cool the shell-enclosed space, and a vent for steam from the shell-enclosed space.A method comprising applying a low heat retention, thermal shock resistant insulation on one substantially entire surface of a metal shell enclosing a space, heating the space enclosed by the metal shell by means of hot gases with venting of the hot gases from the shell-enclosed space, supplying atomized water into the shell-enclosed heated space to controllably cool said space, and venting steam from the cooling shell-enclosed space.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for treatment of metallized iron ore produced by direct reduction techniques principally for use in various iron and steelmaking furnaces. The apparatus and process receives the product from a direct reduction facility consisting of hot metallized fine sizes of reduced iron ore such as from a fluidized bed reactor system that can be combined with metallized iron ore pellets or like agglomerates from other types of direct reduction reactors. The present invention involves dry and wet treatment and handling apparatus and procedures wherewith the hot metallized fine sizes, optionally including metallized pellets or agglomerates, are rendered immune from reoxidation and degradation for unlimited periods of time whether in open storage or during transport, whereafter the stabilized product can be readily used in various types of iron and steelmaking furnaces.

Abstract: This apparatus provides a slag handling system wherein slag is transported directly from a cupola furnace to a tank of water. The bottom of the tank slopes upwardly from a lower end to an upper end, and the tank forms part of a vibratory conveyor. The water in the tank is maintained at a level below the upper end of the material-supporting surface of the conveyor so that slag exiting from the cupola is quenched by the water and then conveyed upwardly through and out of the water for discharge from the upper end of the material-carrying surface.

Abstract: A column of hot, particulate char from a shaft furnace is moistened with quench water as it moves downwardly into a vessel which it fills and forms a pile. The material in the pile is shifted from a central core at the base of the column to a zone which surrounds the sides and bottom of the column by material flowing from the lower portion of the column; and steam is exhausted from the upper portion of the vessel.

Abstract: A detachable mounting and support arrangement for the stationary spray tube which extends through a rotary drum. A tension cable extends through the spray tube and is anchored exteriorly of the drum and spray tube at each end of the drum.

Abstract: The specification describes an installation for producing cement in which a mixture of limestone and clay minerals is ground to raw flour and the raw flour is calcined in a rotary kiln with the supply of heat and is kilned to form clinker. Downstream from the rotary kiln an air flow mill is arranged, to which the clinker from the rotary kiln is passed. It has a fresh air supply duct for cooling the clinker during the grinding operation and the outlet for material to be ground is connected with the cement flour bunker with the use for this purpose of a filter and a blower.

Abstract: In the process of beneficiating ilmenite ore by the chloride method the improvement wherein the beneficiate is cooled without oxidation hot finely divided particles comprising using the principle of film boiling to effect volatilization of a non-oxidizing liquid to both fluidize and cool the hot particles.

Abstract: A rotary tubular furnace is provided at its outlet end with a satellite cooler comprising a plurality of cooling tubes uniformly spaced around the end portion of said tubular furnace and/or a tubular extension thereof, and each of said cooling tubes is provided with an influent member which during the rotation of the furnace intermittently dips into a cooling liquid bath to thereby supply cooling liquid to the respective cooling tube in regulatable quantities, said cooling liquid bath being connected with a supply of cooling liquid by a stationary supply conduit.

Abstract: A rotary kiln plant for calcining and sintering mineral materials such as cement raw materials, comprising a separate unit for preheating and at least partially calcining the raw materials, a rotary kiln for sintering the preheated and calcined raw materials, a separate inside airswept rotary cooler means for cooling the materials burnt in the kiln, and a stationary chamber positioned intermediate the outlet of the rotary kiln and the inlet of the rotary cooler means and forming a passage for the burnt kiln product from the kiln to the rotary cooler means in countercurrent with heated cooling air passing to the rotary kiln. Air inlet and outlet means on the chamber make it possible to introduce additional cooling air and to utilize cooling air from the chamber for the preheating and calcining unit while by-passing the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A waveform-adaptive ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter and noise-tracking UWB receiver for use in communications, object detection and radar applications. In one embodiment, the output of an oscillator is gated by a low-level impulse generator either directly or through an optional filter. In a special case of that embodiment wherein the oscillator is zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter. In another embodiment, the low-level impulse signal is approximated by a time-gated continuous-wave oscillator to produce an extremely wide bandwidth pulse with deterministic center frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The low-level impulse signal can be generated digitally. The UWB signal may be modulated to carry data, or may be used in object detection or ranging applications.