Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing an optical fiber preform are disclosed. According to one aspect, an apparatus may generally include a muffle defining an interior volume enclosed by at least one sidewall and a handle assembly for supporting the optical fiber preform in the muffle. The handle assembly may be removably coupled to the muffle and extend into the interior volume. At least one baffle may be positioned in the interior volume and define an upper portion of the interior volume and a lower portion of the interior volume. The at least one baffle may define at least one flow channel between the upper portion of the interior volume and the lower portion of the interior volume.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfur containing dust particles from particulate material exiting a material preheater in which the particulate material is heated by kiln off gases may include a number of steps. Off gases from the kiln are directed through a gas conduit to the preheater to preheat particulate material traveling through the preheater in a direction countercurrent to the direction of off gas flow through the preheater. Material exiting the preheater is directed to a material bypass conduit that is separated from the gas conduit and is flow connected to a material inlet to the kiln. A stripping gas is directed through the conduit to entrain dust particles in the preheated material and to carry said dust particles away from the preheated material.

Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing system, an interface system, a carrier, and a method for providing an ambient controlled environment is disclosed. The semiconductor manufacturing system comprises a plurality of process chambers; at least one interface system, wherein the interface system includes a first ambient control element; at least one carrier, wherein the carrier comprises a second ambient control element; and a control module coupled to the plurality of process chambers, the at least one interface system, and the at least one carrier.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive adhesive label manufacturing device has a thermal head for heating and thermally activating the heat-sensitive adhesive layer of a heat-sensitive adhesive sheet, and a platen roller for conveying the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet between the platen roller and the thermal head to transport the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in a transport direction. At least one discharge roller is disposed on a downstream side of the thermal activation section and is configured to undergo rotation at a peripheral speed different from a peripheral speed of the platen roller to convey the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet in the transport direction. A guide member is disposed opposite and spaced apart from the at least one discharge roller to provide a space therebetween along which the heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is conveyed by the at least one discharge roller without being sandwiched between the at least one discharge roller and the guide member.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for heating at least one workpiece in a furnace by which the workpiece is heated by heating facilities. An exemplary method comprises heating a complete workpiece with the heating facilities. The exemplary method also comprises moving the workpiece out of the furnace such that a first portion of the workpiece is still inside the furnace while a second portion of the workpiece is outside the furnace and holding the workpiece at this position for a predetermined time period. Finally, the exemplary method comprises moving the complete workpiece out of the furnace.

Abstract: In a loading area below a vertical furnace of a thermal treatment apparatus, a gas stream flows along a first direction from one side to the other side of the loading area into a first evacuation opening provided in the other side of the loading area. A thermal evacuation part is located, along the first direction, between a first evacuation opening and an upstream end of a substrate holding member located at an unload position that is located between the one side and the other side of the loading area. The thermal evacuation part includes a second evacuation opening that is arranged to oppose at least an upper part of the substrate holding member located at the unload position and evacuates an environment around the substrate holding member located at the unload position.

Abstract: There is provided a slag discharging system having high flexibility in layout and capable of stable slag discharge in low cost with high reliability. The slag discharging system is configured to rapidly cool slag, discharged by producing combustible gas in a gasification furnace, within cooling water into glassy slag, collect the slag along with the cooling water discharged out of a system of the gasification furnace into a slag reservoir, and thereafter convey the slag from the slag reservoir to a slag storage tank; and this slag discharging system includes a slag slurry tank for collecting the slag from the slag reservoir into water so as to make the slag into slurry therein, slag slurry piping for making a connection between the slag slurry tank and the slag storage tank, and a pump so disposed in the slag slurry piping as to suck the slag slurry within the slag slurry tank and feed the slag slurry to the slag storage tank.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfur containing dust particles from particulate material exiting a material preheater in which the particulate material is heated by kiln off gases may include a number of steps. Off gases from the kiln are directed through a gas conduit to the preheater to preheat particulate material traveling through the preheater in a direction countercurrent to the direction of off gas flow through the preheater. Material exiting the preheater is directed to a material bypass conduit that is separated from the gas conduit and is flow connected to a material inlet to the kiln. A stripping gas is directed through the conduit to entrain dust particles in the preheated material and to carry said dust particles away from the preheated material.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus for processing medical waste to form feedstock useable in the manufacture of other products, such as diesel, gas, plastics, and the like. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may heat the medical waste to sanitize the medical waste; provide the sanitized medical waste to a densifier; and process, at the densifier, by heating and shredding the sanitized medical waste to form a feedstock. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot asphalt recycling system for adding any used and then ripped asphalt from its original place into new asphalt production, characterized by comprising a heat-insulated frame (2) with a closed volume; at least one RAP material transmission channel (2.1) within said frame (2), said channel being embodied so as to produce a geometrical shape with at least three edges; a transmission line (2.3) displacing within said RAP material transmission channel (2.1) and comprising a plurality of transmission plates (2.3.1) positioned thereon (2.3) at certain intervals; optionally a feeding mechanism (2.6) feeding RAP material to said transmission line (2.3); heating means used to heat the RAP material in the transmission line (2.3) up to a certain temperature; an actuation mechanism to displace said transmission line (2.3) at a certain speed; an accumulation reservoir (2.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive adhesive label manufacturing device includes: a thermal head (3) (thermal activation unit) for thermally activating a heat-sensitive adhesive layer while being in contact therewith; a platen roller (4) which is situated opposed to the thermal head (3); and a discharge roller (5) which is situated on a downstream side of the thermal head (3) and the platen roller (4) and rotates at a peripheral speed different from a peripheral speed of the platen roller (4). When the discharge roller (5) includes a plurality of discharge rollers (5), at least a discharge roller (5) closest to the thermal head (3) and the platen roller (4) is rotated at the peripheral speed different from the peripheral speed of the platen roller (4).

Abstract: A thermal processing system is disclosed. The thermal processing system includes a transfer stage, one or more thermal processing chambers and an interface to a deposition equipment. The transfer stage is provided to receive workpieces for thermal processing. Further the transfer stage is provided as a mechanism to move workpieces from one chamber to another chamber. The thermal processing chamber includes a heat manipulation system to heat up or cool down the workpieces. The thermal processing chamber is designed to accommodate a platform that positions each of the workpieces vertically. As a result, all workpieces are moved together with the platform to be transferred, for example, from one chamber to another chamber. Depending on implementation, the platform may be implemented to include a fixture or a plurality of fixtures, where all of the workpieces may be removably held up by the fixture or each of the workpieces is removably held up by one of the fixtures.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring hot material between a preprocessing plant and an electric furnace has an enclosed housing extending between the plant and the furnace and within which a controlled atmosphere is maintained, at least one bin having at least one compartment receiving feedstock material at a delivery station from the plant, mechanism for shuttling the at least one bin along a path within the housing between the delivery station and discharge tubes above and leading into the furnace at distributed locations, and discharge mechanism for dropping material from each compartment into a discharge tube. The path may be horizontal, vertical, or inclined to suit the relative locations of the preprocessing plant and the battery. Each bin is usually each divided to feed multiple tubes. The shuttling mechanism may be a hoist or a railway or cable span, and the discharge mechanism is typically a means for tipping the bin.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring hot material between a preprocessing plant and an electric furnace has an enclosed housing extending between the plant and the furnace and within which a controlled atmosphere is maintained, at least one bin having at least one compartment receiving feedstock material at a delivery station from the plant, mechanism for shuttling the at least one bin along a path within the housing between the delivery station and discharge tubes above and leading into the furnace at distributed locations, and discharge mechanism for dropping material from each compartment into a discharge tube. The path may be horizontal, a vertical, or inclined to suit the relative locations of the preprocessing plant and the battery. Each bin is usually each divided to feed multiple tubes. The shuttling mechanism may be a hoist or a railway or cable span, and the discharge mechanism is typically a means for tipping the bin.

Abstract: A furnace assembly for heating an optical waveguide preform includes a furnace. The furnace includes a muffle and a heating device. The muffle defines a furnace passage. The furnace passage has a length extending from a first end to a second end. The heating device is operative to heat the furnace passage. A process gas supply provides a process gas to the furnace passage. A handle is disposed in the furnace passage and is adapted to hold the waveguide preform. A flow shield is positioned between the first and second ends and extends across the furnace passage between the handle and the muffle. The flow shield is arranged and configured to restrict flow of the process gas from the first end to the second end of the furnace passage.

Abstract: A heat-treating apparatus is arranged to perform a reforming process and a crystallizing process for tantalum oxide deposited on a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus includes a worktable with a heater incorporated therein. Under the worktable, there is a heat-compensating member formed of a thin plate and having a counter surface facing the bottom surface of the worktable along the periphery. The counter surface is formed of a mirror surface having a surface roughness of Rmax=25 &mgr;m or less. Heat rays and radiant heat are reflected by the counter surface and applied to the periphery of the worktable, thereby compensating the periphery for heat loss.

Abstract: A method for depositing sequential thin films on glass substrates by single substrate deposition comprising loading a batch of substrates into a load lock chamber and evacuating the chamber, transferring the substrates to a batch heating chamber for heating the substrates to elevated temperatures; transferring the glass substrates singly to one or more single substrate processing chambers, and sequentially transferring the substrates back to the load lock chamber where they are batch cooled.A vacuum system for carrying out the method includes a load lock/cooling chamber for evacuating a plurality of glass substrates; a heating chamber for heating a plurality of substrates to elevated temperatures; one or more single substrate processing chambers; and a transfer chamber having access to all of said chambers and having automated means therein for transferring the glass substrates into and out of said chambers in a preselected order.

Abstract: A method of treating, in a vertical grate furnace, raw materials in an iron reduction process is disclosed. The raw materials are fed onto a grate-containing section which is separated from at least one other section of the grate furnace. Subsequently, the grate-containing section is attached to the other section or sections by moving the other section or sections upwardly or downwardly so as to achieve and maintain gastight conditions between the grate-containing section and the other section(s). The raw materials then undergo preliminary heat treatment in the grate furnace. Finally, the grate is tilted to discharge the treated materials from the grate furnace through an outlet provided on the side wall of the furnace.