Abstract: The invention relates to a hardening furnace, in particular for sheets of glass (2) and the like. In the furnace, the glass sheets (2) are sustained and transported by a conveyor plane (1) of the roller type above and beneath which plane an upper radiating surface (3) and a lower radiating surface (4) are arranged. The upper radiating surface (3) is composed of a plurality of longitudinal strips (31) arranged side-by-side and parallel to the movement direction of the plane (1), while the lower radiating surface (4) is constituted by a plurality of transversal strips (41) arranged transversally to the said movement direction. Each of the strips (31 and 41) is separated from the contiguous strips and represents the lower and upper walls of chambers (32 and 42) separated one from the other. In each said chamber (32 and 42) there is a device which confers regulatable thermal energy, for example, a radiating tube (15).

Abstract: A fast tempo firing process for ceramic tiles is disclosed, in which material to be fired is exposed to a limited number of sharp rises and falls in temperature, occurring in quick succession and followed in each instance by a short stabilization period. The kiln adopted for such a process features a string of individual stages (2, 3, 4, 5), each held at a given set temperature, through which the tiles (8) are conveyed on a roller hearth (6) with transfer from one stage into the next being brought about at high speed.

Abstract: In the modular kiln, which is designed for the firing of ceramic tiles etc., one has a series of single treatment zones (16) arranged in a continuous succession and interconnected by a conveyor (6); heat exchange is brought about by radiation between special surfaces built into the various zones of the kiln, and the material being fired.