Abstract: The method employs a furnace, wherein organic distillation products released from the binder and the gaseous and particulate decomposition products are burned off. Bodies, placed on the ceramic bottom plate of a truck, are introduced into the pre-heating zone of the furnace, covered with protective coverings, and heated to 200.degree.-600.degree. C. in an oxidizing medium. Thereafter, the coverings are removed in a vestibule, in an inert or slightly reducing medium, and the bodies are introduced into the calcining zone, provided with an inert or slightly reducing medium, to be further heated up to a temperature in the 1000.degree. to 1200.degree. C. range. Lastly, the bodies are cooled in a first cooling zone down to 400.degree.-450.degree. C. in an inert or slightly reducing medium, and in a second zone down to room temperature.

Abstract: A method of calcining carbonaceous bodies, in particular electrodes such as those employed in the production of aluminum or steel, in either continuous or intermittent furnaces with the use of containment structures whereinto carbonaceous bodies to be calcined are placed and then covered at least laterally with a carbonaceous powder, is characterized in that the structure walls are caused to collapse from the sides outwards on the occurrence of the expansion whereto the carbonaceous bodies are subjected during calcination.The containment structure which affords implementation of the method comprises a base frame, refractory supports placed on said frame and carrying refractory plates forming the loading platform, and a sideway complying edge formation on expansion of the carbonaceous bodies.

Abstract: The method comprises passing preformed bodies to be calcined, containing pyrolyzable substances, through a furnace having, arranged in succession, a first heating zone, a second or combustion zone wherein volatile substance released by said bodies are subjected to combustion, a third or calcining zone, and a fourth or cooling zone. Separation means between the first and second zones, and between the third and fourth zones, prevent the flue gases from flowing between such zones.

Abstract: An exchangeable solid cathode such that its average density is less than that of the molten aluminum, as a result of which the said cathode floats projecting into the electrolyte from below. At least three vertical, electrically insulating spacers are attached to the work face of the cathode and, due to the upthrust on the floating cathode, press against the work face of the related anode. The said floating cathode also features stabilizing positioning facilities at the side which insure proper lateral positioning of the cathode.

Abstract: An inductor for an electromagnetic mold used for example for continuous casting of long format rolling ingots has a metallic loop with a hollow space in it to convey a coolant. The vertical dimension at the middle of the sidewall (H.sub.1) of the loop is a multiple of the vertical dimension (H.sub.2) at the corners of the loop. Such a device compensates for the shrinkage which occurs at the sidewall of the ingot and yields ingots which do not suffer from the concavity which would otherwise occur there.