Abstract: A reaction block is provided that utilizes a refrigerant gas for cooling that includes a plurality of reaction stations each defining a reaction chamber for receiving a reaction vessel and defining a gas conducting passageway for conducting the refrigerant gas through the reaction station in temperature transmitting relation thereto. The reaction block also includes a metering means in fluid communication with a respective one of the reaction stations and is configured to receive a liquid refrigerant and to deliver an amount of refrigerant gas to the gas conducting passageway of one of the reaction stations in order to cool the contents inside the reaction vessel located at that reaction station. The metering means is also configured so that the amount of the refrigerant gas delivered to the gas conducting passageway of one reaction station is independent of the amount of refrigerant gas delivered to another one of the reaction stations.

Abstract: In a multi-station reaction apparatus (1) comprising an annular heat transfer block (30) formed with a plurality of cavities (31) for receiving respective reaction vessels (36), the upper surface of the heat transfer block (30) has a central recess (32) around which the said plurality of cavities (31) are arrayed. The apparatus further comprises a removable cooling module (4), the central recess (32) of the heat transfer block (30) being shaped so as to accommodate the removable cooling module (4) and corresponding surfaces of the central recess (32) of the heat transfer block (30) and the cooling module (4) being shaped such that there is a stepped interface between them. The cooling module (4) comprises a metal block having channels therein through which coolant circulates when the cooling module (4) is in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring temperature dependent changes has a heating arrangement, which includes two pieces of heat insulation material defining a cavity containing a heat sink member and an electrical heater for the heat sink member. The block is perforated to allow entry of a smaple tube and to provide a viewing passage. The arrangement is detachably mounted on a neck portion upstanding from a base.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring temperature dependent changes has a heating arrangement, which includes two pieces of heat insulation material defining a cavity containing a heat sink member and an electrical heater for the heat sink member. The block is perforated to allow entry of a sample tube and to provide a viewing passage. The arrangement is detachably mounted on a neck portion upstanding from a base.

Abstract: There is disclosed an electric heating apparatus comprising a pre-formed body of thermally insulating material defining a cavity for receiving a vessel whose contents are to be heated, the body being provided with an electric heating element in or adjacent the cavity for heating such a vessel in use of the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a housing in which the body is disposed with an air space between the body and the housing, the latter having openings so that convection air currents can flow through the air space in use of the apparatus for extracting heat via the air space.

Abstract: There are disclosed housings for use in weaning piglets including walls, a roof and, at the bottom of the housing, an electrical heater lying flat underneath a surface providing at least a part of a floor for the housing. In one of the examples, the heater is a heater which is electrically insulated to form a panel-shaped structure lying flat on a base of the housing, an upper surface of the structure providing at least part of a floor for the housing. In another example, the housing comprises a box, moulded to form in one piece the said walls and floor, and a lid for the box, to form the said roof, the heater being encapsulated in the floor.