Abstract: A radiant tube to be heated by high-temperature gases supplied from its one end. The tube supplys a heat radiation by being thus heated. The gases used for the heating are discharged from the other end of the tube. Inside the tube a heat exchanger is provided in the proximity of the gas outlet of the tube so as to recover thermal energy from the used gases before they come out from the outlet.

Abstract: System for heating the broadwise-end portions of a metal plate in conveyance. The system includes a pair of heater blocks spaced apart from each other with the conveyance line for the material located therebetween. The heater blocks each have a space to receive one of the broadwise-end portions of the material. When the material is conveyed through the system, the broadwise-end portions of the material each are allowed to pass through the space of one of the heater blocks so that they are heated by burners of the heater blocks blowing hot combustion gases against the broadwise-end surfaces of the material.