Abstract: A material to be dried is frozen and is efficiently freeze-dried in a short time, thereby increasing production efficiency. A freeze-drying apparatus includes a vertical tube (2) having an inner circumferential surface formed with a frozen surface (2a), a liquid-supply device (5) for supplying a liquid material to be dried (47) onto the frozen surface (2a), a freezing device (10) arranged around the vertical tube (2) and intended for cooling the frozen surface (2a), a pressure-reduction device (12) which puts an interior area of the vertical tube (2) into a state of vacuum, and an internal heating device (41) in the vertical tube (2). The internal heating device (41) is arranged in the vertical tube (2) along a center axis thereof, and has an outer surface formed with a vertically long circular-cylindrical radiation surface (43).

Abstract: A powder filling apparatus that can prevent a screw portion of an auger screw from contacting an inner surface of a metering portion at a funnel lower end portion. The powder filling apparatus includes a funnel that contains powder, and a circular-cylindrical metering portion provided at a lower end portion of the funnel, an auger screw arranged vertically, and a support device that supports the auger screw rotatably. The auger screw has a lower end provided with a screw portion that is arranged within the metering portion. The funnel is suspended from the support device and supported thereto and the metering portion has a center axis made substantially coincident with an axis of rotation of the auger screw.

Abstract: A material to be dried is frozen and is efficiently freeze-dried in a short time, thereby increasing production efficiency. A freeze-drying apparatus includes a vertical tube (2) having an inner circumferential surface formed with a frozen surface (2a), a liquid-supply device (5) for supplying a liquid material to be dried (47) onto the frozen surface (2a), a freezing device (10) arranged around the vertical tube (2) and intended for cooling the frozen surface (2a), a pressure-reduction device (12) which puts an interior area of the vertical tube (2) into a state of vacuum, and an internal heating device (41) in the vertical tube (2). The internal heating device (41) is arranged in the vertical tube (2) along a center axis thereof, and has an outer surface formed with a vertically long circular-cylindrical radiation surface (43).

Abstract: The present invention provides a powder filling apparatus which can prevent a screw portion of an auger screw from contacting an inner surface of a metering portion at a funnel lower end portion and besides facilitate the assembling work as well as can be made compact and put into practice at a low cost. The powder filling apparatus comprises a funnel (2) which contains powder, and a circular-cylindrical metering portion (3) provided at a lower end portion of the funnel (2), an auger screw arranged vertically, and a support device (5) which supports the auger screw (4) rotatably. The auger screw (4) has a lower end provided with a screw portion (18) which is arranged within the metering portion (3). The funnel (2) is suspended from the support device (5) and supported thereto and the metering portion (3) has a center axis (3a) made substantially coincident with an axis of rotation (4a) of the auger screw (4).

Abstract: A method of activating a fiber sheet comprising carbonized filaments or spun carbonized yarn includes causing the sheet to travel horizontally through a furnace including at least one horizontal heat treatment zone in which there is maintained a regular and uniform temperature lying in the range of 800.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. at a linear speed lying in the range 1 to 5 cm/min. over the length of the heat treatment zone and maintaining at least in the zone a constant flow of an oxidizing gaseous fluid that is uniformly distributed therein and at a pressure close to atmospheric pressure. A temperature-raising zone and a temperature-lowering zone are located at opposite ends of the treatment zone relative to the travel direction of the sheet and inlet and outlet sections of the treatment zone are fitted with air locks having cooling and suction systems.