Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas catalyst, wherein it consists of about 50 to about 95% by weight of silicon carbide and about 5 to about 50% by weight of an alloy of silicon with one or more metals of the group copper, iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium, vanadium, molybdenum, manganese, zinc, silver, platinum, palladium or other catalytically-active metals, the catalytically-active surface of which has optionally been activated by oxidation and/or chemical after-treatment.The present invention also provides processes for the production of this catalyst.

Abstract: An apparatus for firing ceramic shaped products, particularly porcelian tableware, comprising a kiln provided with a through tunnel and a heating device, grid-like pallets for holding the shaped products during their passage through the through tunnel, feed means for feeding the unfired shaped products onto the pallets, and discharge means for discharging the fired shaped products from the pallets. The pallets are covered with product holder plates, preferably plane parallel product holder plates, adapted approximately to the format of the respective shaped products. More uniform action of the firing atmosphere on the shaped products is thereby acheived. The product holder plates are more easily produced than the kiln furniture hitherto used.

Abstract: Ceramic components of a burner-heat exchanger or like types, in which two fluids are passed in indirect heat exchange along opposite sides of ceramic walls through respective passages in a ceramic body defining these walls and passages, are interconnected by extending the outer plates within which the ceramic body is enclosed at each end of each pair of components to be joined so that the extensions can be connected together, e.g. with a sleeve and between the ceramic bodies, chambers can be formed.

Abstract: A heat exchanger of a ceramic body, or the like, having a plurality of elongate flow passages in parallel relationship with the placement of the passages staggered with respect to the opposite end cover walls of the ceramic body, transversely extending parts of both cover walls being absent to expose those staggered passages that pass closer to the respective cover wall, thereby to permit access for fluid media to the flow passages; particular characteristic features of the passages are disclosed.