Abstract: Gases are removed from particles, such as ferrochrome, by providing a container having an open top and a vertical wall having closely spaced opening therein so constructed that the particles will not plug or pass therethrough. Preferably a central vertical tubular member is provided in the container with similar holes. The particles are placed in the container between its wall and the vertical member and heated in a furnace to a temperature at which the gases will evolve. The gases may be removed by having the furnace under vacuum or by the atmosphere in the furnace.

Abstract: Coils of strip to be annealed are placed in a furnace with their eye vertical and are heated to the annealing temperature by heating elements on the furnace above and below the level of the coils. An improved convector coil support includes a single metal plate having a central opening and grooves in one side extending from the central opening to the outer periphery when used to support a bottom coil and two such plates fastened together with their grooves facing each other when the convector is used to support a coil on top of a coil.

Abstract: Coils of strip to be annealed are placed in a furnace with their eye vertical and are heated to the annealing temperature by heating elements on the furnace side wall at the same elevation as the coils. An insulation shield is provided between the heating elements and the coil. This may be a cover surrounding the coil in spaced relationship therewith and extending the full height of the coil.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing elongated metal articles by atomizing molten metal in an inert atmosphere and cooling the particles to remove at least some heat of fusion, but not below 40% of the solidus temperature on the centrigrade scale, while they fall onto a bed of particles on a moving support. The particles are then consolidated by means such as passing the bed through rolls to form an elongated metal article.