Abstract: A heat transfer system for refrigeration and/or heating of products includes a housing having an internal chamber, a baffle, a spiral pathway around the baffle, a gas flow pathway and a blower to circulate gas along the gas flow pathway. The baffle separates the chamber into upper and lower portions. The spiral pathway includes an upper spiral pathway within the upper portion, and a lower spiral pathway within the lower portion. The gas flow pathway includes an upper gas flow pathway across the upper spiral pathway and a lower gas flow pathway across the lower spiral pathway in which gas flow in the upper and lower gas flow pathways defines a circulation loop. The width of the upper gas flow pathway and upper spiral pathway are similar, and the width of the lower gas flow pathway and lower spiral pathway are similar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for selective soldering, including at least one nozzle and a soldering channel surrounded by a vertically moveable hood, which immerses in a soldering bath or which is sealed against a surface of the soldering bath. The hood includes a passage for each nozzle, at least one gas feeding device for providing protective and/or active gas underneath the hood, and flow plates which are attached to the hood to extend substantially downward in the direction of the soldering bath from the hood.

Abstract: A conveyor belt for transporting a product, includes a plurality of transport assemblies, each one of the plurality of transport assemblies comprising a side link assembly; a support assembly connected to the side link assembly; a product support member supported on the support assembly and adapted for displaceable movement with respect to the side link assembly and the support assembly; and an actuation member supporting the product support member with respect to the side link assembly and the support assembly, the actuation member coacting with the side link assembly for moving the product support member between a first position wherein the product support member is in a first plane of travel with respect to the side link assembly for conveying the product, and a second position wherein the product support member transitions to a second plane of travel with respect to the side link assembly different from the first plane of travel for providing a space between the product support member of each one of the p

Abstract: A conveyor belt includes a conveying surface comprising a plurality of rod-shaped members each of which is constructed and arranged for vertical displacement with respect to each other for providing a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of rod-like members. The conveyor belt may also include a side link disposed at opposed ends of each one of the plurality of rod-shaped members, each one of the side links having at least one central aperture therein for receiving a corresponding end of the rod-shaped member for vertical displacement therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a two-phase fluid flowing within a conduit includes a chamber having at least one transparent wall in fluid communication with the conduit; a high-speed imaging system in visual communication with the at least one transparent wall; a thermocouple and a pressure transducer for obtaining a temperature value and a pressure value of the two-phase fluid flowing within the conduit; and a processor for determining the flow rate of the two-phase fluid by analyzing the images obtained by the high-speed imaging system, and from the temperature and pressure values for the two-phase fluid flowing within the conduit. A process is provided for determining the flow rate of a two-phase fluid flowing within the conduit.

Abstract: A method for operating a hearth furnace encompassing a furnace chamber heated by at least one burner, including: a) introducing metal-containing material into the hearth furnace, b) melting the metal-containing material in a first melting phase until a melting bath surface has formed, c) melting the metal-containing material in a second melting phase after the melting bath surface has formed, d) removing and/or holding the melted metal, characterized in that the at least one burner is operated during the phase (b) such that a larger portion of burner capacity is emitted in convection rather than in radiant energy, and that respective portions of convection heat and of radiant heat emitted by the at least one burner are adjusted specifically via adjustment of brightness and/or size, in particular length of a flame of the at least one burner.

Abstract: A method of refining a ferroalloy includes the step of blowing molecular oxygen or a gas mixture including molecular oxygen into a melt of the ferroalloy. A metallurgically acceptable particulate material is introduced from above into the melt. The particulate material is carried into the melt in a first supersonic gas jet which travels to the melt shrouded by a second gas jet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing mineral wool, wherein a mineral base material is melted in a cupola furnace having a shaft to hold the base material, the lower section of said shaft being provided with a grate, and beneath said grate there is a combustion chamber. The combustion chamber is heated by one or a plurality of burners, the burner or burners being run on liquid or gaseous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas. The burners are operated such that the length of the flames occurring during combustion of the fuel with the oxygen-containing gas is between 60% and 100% of the combustion chamber diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to operating a shaft furnace, in particular a cupola furnace, for melting starting material, wherein the shaft furnace is heated by combustion of a solid fuel and wherein an injection gas, which has an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is injected into the shaft furnace. The shaft furnace is heated by means of at least one burner, wherein a gaseous or liquid fuel and a gaseous oxidant, which encompasses an oxygen portion of more than 21%, is supplied to the burner.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a device for wave soldering workpieces, encompassing means for moving the workpiece, which is to be soldered, along a specific path across at least one solder wave generated above a solder reservoir, with a protective and/or active gas atmosphere of a first composition being located above the solder reservoir so as to exclude oxygen and with means for introducing the protective and/or active gas as well as an enclosure being provided, with the enclosure being configured in such a manner that it encloses at least the essential parts of a solder zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the controlled storage of liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas in an enclosed insulated container, in which part of the liquid is withdrawn and fed to an external refrigeration unit for subcooling and the subcooled liquid is reintroduced into the container via one or more valve-controlled headers under the control of a control system operated in response to pressure and temperature signals from within the container, wherein the level of subcooling is matched to the heat inleak into the container and most or all of the subcooled liquid is reintroduced directly into the stored liquid so as to maintain stable conditions in the stored liquid and to minimise evaporation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for analyzing gases such as carbon dioxide, and includes passing a gas stream containing impurities into a gas adsorption means for a length of time at ambient or higher temperatures to adsorb the impurities therein, stopping the flow of the gas stream, and desorbing and analyzing the impurities using a detector.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing temperature of items includes an enclosure having an inlet and an outlet for the items within the enclosure; a conveyor for conveying the items within the enclosure from the inlet to the outlet; one or more delivery nozzles positioned to deliver gaseous cryogen and liquid or solid cryogen at supersonic velocity to the items on the conveyor. The apparatus delivers supersonic gaseous cryogen and fine liquid cryogen droplets onto the surface of food items to cool or freeze the food items.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of workpieces in a heat treatment furnace, wherein the treatment atmosphere in the heat treatment furnace is circulated. According to the invention, a propellant is injected into the heat treatment furnace in such a manner that the treatment atmosphere is essentially circulated by the injected propellant.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device and a method for sealing a package with a sealing seam by partially fusing together the packaging material, and a supply system for protective gas. The device includes a gas supply for inert gas and an inert gas outlet opening, wherein the gas supply for inert gas and the inert gas outlet opening are arranged such that an inert gas current resulting therebetween flows around the sealing seam during sealing of the package. The method provides a flow of inert gas around the sealing seam during sealing of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing products by chilling or freezing includes a conveyor for conveying the products along a plane of travel; lifting means disposed for intermittent contact with the conveyor during processing; cam means rotatable for contacting and displacing the lifting means to contact and displace the conveyor from the plane of travel, thereby displacing the products on the conveyor to prevent the products from adhering to the conveyor and other of the products; and drive means operatively associated with the cam means to impart rotational movement to the cam means for intermittently contacting and displacing the lifting means.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a gas curtain assembly which comprises at least one structure of substantially vertical tubes on both sides of and supporting a vertical tube, forming an interconnected frame comprising at least one row of apertures for gas or fluid to pass through and forming a curtain of gas or fluid under the vertical portion of the assembly.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace has a gas inlet positioned proximate to a charging section oxy-fuel combustion region to introduce gas into the region and to at least partially displace gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region, and optionally a gas outlet is adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere. A method for reducing alkali vapor corrosion of glass furnace refractory structures includes providing a gas inlet proximate to the oxy-fuel combustion region; introducing a volume of gas from the inlet into the region, displacing a volume of gas having a partial pressure of alkali vapor from the region; and, optionally providing a gas outlet adapted to provide an exit for a volume of furnace atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a bath of metallurgical liquid comprises a step of introducing a solid particulate reagent into a main supersonic gas jet. The main supersonic gas jet is directed at the surface of the bath and is surrounded with a jet of shrouding gas, preferably of a burning hydrocarbon fluid fuel, provided at a supersonic velocity. The main supersonic gas jet is formed at a velocity which is in the range of minus 10% to plus 10% of the velocity at which the jet of shrouding gas is formed, preferably in the range of Mach 2 to 3.