Abstract: Durable antimicrobial coatings which may be deposited on a substrate. Such coatings may include a plurality of particles which are fused to the substrate and/or other particles. The particles may be provided using a single-sided electrode arrangement, which is configured to produce an electrical arc or discharge at one end of an electrode and to emit the particles from the electrode, where the arc or discharge can be produced without the end of the electrode being in proximity to a grounded object. The particles may be provided as one or more layers of nanoscale particles having an average size of less than about 1000 nm. Such coatings may have a thickness that is less than about 1000 nm. Thicker coatings may also be provided. The coatings may preferably include silver, tungsten, noble metals, nonstoichiometric compounds including ceramics, other metals including rare earth metals and compounds, and compositions thereof.

Abstract: A coil-in-coil electric heating assembly for industrial applications heats any gas through an annular space between the coils to very high temperatures. Gas is introduced into the annular space through one open end of a tubular enclosure and leaves through an opposite end after being significantly heated. Coils may be made from several heating element materials and may be wound in the same direction or opposite direction. The opposite winding direction often gives a higher temperature of the exit gas. Temperatures even as high as 1500° C. in the exit gas have been recorded. The heating system may be utilized to generate superheated steam for industrial applications even in a recirculating manner.

Abstract: A sterilizing apparatus (10, 80) includes an enclosure (18, 84) defining an interior chamber (20, 86) and a door (22) for accessing the interior chamber (20, 86). A fluid source (42, 88) communicates with the chamber (20, 86) to supply a working fluid thereto. A heater (64, 102) heats the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) and a pump (62, 82) moves the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) by the heater (64, 102). A valve (50, 150) communicates with the chamber (20, 86) and with the exterior of the chamber (20, 86) and is configured to vent the fluid in the chamber (20, 86) to the exterior at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere. Such provides superheating and concentrating of the working fluid in the chamber (20, 86). A method of sterilization includes introducing a working fluid into an interior chamber (20, 86) and circulating the fluid through at least one recirculation loop (54, 96) having a heater (64, 102) for heating the fluid to an operational temperature suitable for killing microorganisms.

Abstract: Durable antimicrobial coatings which may be deposited on a substrate, and method and apparatus for producing them. Such coatings can include a plurality of particles which adhere to the substrate and/or other particles. The particles can be provided using a single-sided electrode arrangement, which is configured to produce an electrical arc or discharge at one end of an electrode and to emit the particles from the electrode, where the arc or discharge can be produced without the end of the electrode being in proximity to a grounded object. The particles can be provided as one or more layers of nanoscale particles having an average size of less than about 1000 nm, 800 nm, 500 nm, or 200 nm. Such coatings can have a thickness that is less than about 1000 nm, 800 nm, 500 nm, or 250 nm. Thicker coatings may also be provided.

Abstract: An apparatus (200, 300, 400) for generating superheated steam capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms associated with an item (230) includes a gas heater (10) for heating a gas, a steam generator coupled to the gas heater (10) and having a reservoir (216, 304) for supplying water, wherein the heater (10) heats the gas such that when water is combined therewith, a mixture of superheated steam and gas capable of reducing or eliminating microorganisms is discharged from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The generation of the steam-gas mixture may be done at one atmosphere of pressure and the mixing may be done prior to expelling the fluid from the apparatus (200, 300, 400). The apparatus (400) may be configured as a hand-held device, A method of treating an item (230) for microorganisms includes generating a superheated steam at approximately one atmosphere of pressure, directing a flow of the steam onto the item (230), and reducing or eliminating microorganisms using the steam.

Abstract: Even a very small amount of air plasma can reduce the dross during melting. A method and device is shown, whereby substantial saving in the cost of melting aluminum and the energy to melt aluminum is possible by the technique of introducing a small amount of air plasma in the melting environment. In this manner even though the air contains oxygen, and the common practice is presently directed at air being eliminated from the melting environment, an air plasma is able to very effectively be utilized.

Abstract: A cell of advanced design for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of an aluminium compound dissolved in a molten electrolyte, has a cathode (30) of drained configuration, and at least one non-carbon anode (10) facing the cathode both covered by the electrolyte (54). The upper part of the cell contains a removable thermic insulating cover (60) placed just above the level of the electrolyte (54). Preferably, the cathode (30) comprises a cathode mass (32) supported by a cathode carrier (31) made of electrically conductive material which serves also for the uniform distribution of electric current to the cathode mass (32) from current feeders (42) which connect the cathode carrier (31) to the negative busbars.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A cell of advanced design for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of an aluminium compound dissolved in a molten electrolyte, has a cathode (30) of drained configuration, and at least one non-carbon anode (10) facing the cathode both covered by the electrolyte (54). The upper part of the cell contains a removable thermic insulating cover (60) placed just above the level of the electrolyte (54). Preferably, the cathode (30) comprises a cathode mass (32) supported by a cathode carrier (31) made of electrically conductive material which serves also for the uniform distribution of electric current to the cathode mass (32) from current feeders (42) which connect the cathode carrier (31) to the negative busbars.

Abstract: A body of carbonaceous or other material for use in corrosive environments such as oxidising media or gaseous or liquid corrosive agents at elevated temperatures, in particular in molten salts such as cryolite, is coated with a protective surface coating which improves the resistance of the body to oxidation or corrosion and which may also enhance the bodies electrical conductivity and/or its electrochemical activity. The protective coating is applied in one or more layers from a colloidal slurry containing reactant or non-reactant substances, or a mixture of reactant and non-reactant substances, in particular mixtures containing silicon carbide and molybdenum silicide or silicon carbide and silicon nitride, which when the body is heated to a sufficient elevated temperature reaction sinter as a result of micropyretic reaction and/or sinter without reaction to form the protective coating.

Abstract: A cell of advanced design for production aluminum by the electrolysis of an aluminum compound dissolve in a molten ectrolyte, has a cathode (30) of drained configuration, and at least one non-carbon anode (10) facing the cathode both covered by the electrolyte (54). The upper part of the cell contains a removable thermic insulating cover (60) placed just above the level of the electrolyte (54). Preferably, the cathode (30) comprises a cathode mass (32) supported by a cathode carrier (31) made of electrically conductive material which serves also for the uniform distribution of electric current feeders (42) which connect the cathode carrier (31) to the negative busbars.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a prebaked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte, is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by immersing the body in a treating liquid containing a soluble boron compound and at least one additive from the group consisting of aluminum compounds, calcium compounds, sodium compounds, magnesium compounds, silicon compounds, elemental carbon, and elemental aluminum, said additive being in the form of a powder, in suspension such as a colloid, or in solution, e.g., at 80° to 120° C. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Söderberg anode and to cell sidewalls. The additives increase strength and improve oxidation resistance compared to impregnation with boric acid alone.

Abstract: A component of an aluminium production cell, in particular a cathode or a cell lining of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in cryolite, having an aluminium-wettable refractory coating on a heat-stable baked carbon-containing body, is produced from a part-manufactured cell component which is a layered composite of two precursors. A precursor layer of the aluminium-wettable refractory coating contains at least one aluminium-wettable refractory material in particulate form, or a particulate micropyretic reaction mixture which when ignited reacts to form at least one aluminium-wettable refractory material, or a mixture thereof, and non-carbon fillers and binders. A non-baked or part-baked precursor of the heat-stable carbon-containing body comprises particulate carbon compacted with a heat-convertible binder which when subjected to heat treatment binds the particulate carbon into the heat-stable carbon-containing body of the fully-manufactured cell component.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A method of producing a self-sustaining body of refractory boride from the group consisting of the borides of titanium, chromium, vanadium, zirconium, hafnium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum and cerium. This body includes a refractory boride and a dried colloid from the group consisting of colloidal alumina, silica, yttria, ceria, thoria, magnesia, lithia, monoaluminium phosphate and cerium acetate and is obtained from a slurry of the refractory boride in one or more of said colloids by casting the slurry on a porous plaster layer, and drying the cast slurry by draining through the plaster, or by pressing/drying. Subsequently, the dried body is subjected to heat treatment to bond the refractory boride in the dried colloid. The bodies are useful as components of aluminium electrowinning cells.

Abstract: High emissivity molybdenum silicide-containing ceramic and metal-ceramic products are provided, especially for use as heaters in rapid solidification processing (RSP) and rapid thermal processing (RTP). Novel designs incorporating such heaters are also provided.

Abstract: Carbon-containing components of cells for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a cryolite-based molten electrolyte are protected from attack by liquid and/or gaseous components of the electrolyte in the form of elements, ions or compounds, by a refractory boride coating applied from a slurry composed of pre-formed particulate refractory boride in a colloidal carrier which is dried and heated to consolidate the coating.

Abstract: A carbon body, in particular a pre-baked anode of an electrolytic cell for the production of aluminium by the electrolysis of alumina in a molten fluoride electrolyte is treated over its surfaces to improve the resistance thereof to deterioration during operation of the cell by air and oxidizing gases released at the anode, by treating the body with a treating liquid comprising a precipitable boron-containing compound and an additive, said additive being present in an amount so that substantially no separate phase from said the precipitate of said boron-containing compound is formed upon curing. Suitable boron oxide additives include colloidal alumina, silica, yttria, ceria, thoria, zirconia, magnesia, lithia, monoaluminium phosphate, cerium acetate and mixtures thereof. The same treatment can also be applied to a carbon mass forming a Soderberg anode and to cell sidewalls.