Abstract: A method for processing semiconductor wafers includes processing a semiconductor wafer in a processing chamber having upper and lower chambers, decoupling the upper chamber from the lower chamber, cleaning the upper chamber, determining, while decoupled, that a leak rate and a particle count for the upper chamber meets predetermined criteria, and coupling the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

Abstract: A payload transporter, including a truck frame, a body having at least one waste storage tank storage tank, and a vacuum system, wherein the vacuum system is used to remove waste material from a portable toilet, wherein the waste material is stored in the waste storage tank, and wherein the payload transporter transports both the waste and the portable toilet to a preferred location. Special baffles are placed within the compartments to prevent liquid surge during transport and to provide structural support for both the top of the bed when transporting toilets and while the bed is under vacuum. Optionally, fresh water tanks can be included in the payload transporter and used to clean and replenish the portable toilets.

Abstract: An automated semiconductor processing system has an indexer bay perpendicularly aligned with a process bay within a clean air enclosure. An indexer in the indexer bay provides stocking or storage for work in progress semiconductor wafers. Process chambers are located in the process bay: A process robot moves between the indexer bay and process bay to carry semi-conductor wafers to and from the process chambers. The process robot has a robot arm vertically moveable along a lift rail. Semiconductor wafers are carried offset from the robot arm, to better avoid contamination. The automated system is compact and requires less clean room floor space.

Abstract: A method for producing a formed member made of a steel sheet according to the present invention is characterized by preparing a steel sheet material having tensile strength of 500 MPa or less and containing a nitriding element; forming a formed member having a predetermined shape by performing a plastic forming on the steel sheet material; and performing a nitriding treatment on the formed member so that an average hardness in the sheet thickness direction of the resultant steel sheet member is Hv 300 or more by Vickers hardness, and further characterized in that the difference in hardness between the surface part and the inside center part in the thickness direction of the steel sheet member of the formed member is Hv 200 or less by Vickers hardness, thereby it is possible to reliably obtain a formed member having a sufficiently high strength after a nitriding treatment while ensuring a plastic formability of a steel sheet in obtaining a formed member made of a steel sheet member of high strength by performi

Abstract: In a method of producing on the surface of a component which consists of a titanium alloy or an intermetallic phase on the basis of titanium, a protective layer (according to the formula Ti5,0−xAgx+yAl3,0−yO2), a mixture of Ti powder and TiO2 powder, which has been sintered, is applied to the surfaces of the component or, if the titanium alloy includes 40-60 at % Al, a coating of silver is applied to the component and the component is then heat treated at 500 to 900° C. to form the protective layer on its surfaces.

Abstract: A process for treating a chromium coating and/or the surface of a chromium alloy to increase hardness, and/or to decrease coefficient of friction; chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction; and, components comprising chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A metal surface on which a phosphate conversion coating is to be formed and which has been surface conditioned by contact with a liquid surface conditioner composition that contains dispersed fine particles of solid phosphate of at least one divalent or trivalent cations type and an adhesion promoting agent. After such conditioning, a very high quality conversion coating can be formed on the surface by contact with a nickel-free liquid phosphating composition that contains at least acid, zinc cations, and phosphate anions and optionally and preferably also contains other materials.

Abstract: A soft magnetism metal powder having a majority of particles, each of which, when cross-sectioned, has no greater than ten crystal particles on average, may be coated on an outer surface of each of the particles with a resistive material having a higher resistivity than the underlying parent phase. The soft magnetism metal powder may be prepared by heating a soft magnetism metal powder to a high temperature in a high temperature atmosphere, thereby reducing the number of crystal particles in each of the soft magnetism metal powder particles. A soft magnetism metal formed body may be prepared by pressing the soft magnetism metal particles at a sufficient temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A gray cast iron alloy for a friction element of a friction clutch, which may be brought into frictional contact with a clutch disk by a friction surface of the friction element, contains: 3.0-3.4 percent by weight C, 1.8-2.3 percent by weight Si, 0.4-0.8 percent by weight Mn, 0.0-0.35 percent by weight P, 0.0-0.125 percent by weight S, 0.4-0.6 percent by weight Mo, with the remainder comprising iron and production-related impurities and/or additives.

Abstract: A new soft stainless steel sheet has an austenite-stability index Md30 controlled in a range of −120 to −10 and a stacking fault formability index SFI controlled not less than 30, and involves precipitates whose Cu concentration is controlled not more than 1.0%, so as to maintain concentration of dissolved Cu at 1-5%. The stainless steel sheet preferably contains up to 0.06%(C+N), up to 2.0% Si, up to 5% Mn, 15-20% Cr, 5-9% Ni, 1.0-4.0% Cu, up to 0.003% Al, up to 0.005% S, and optionally one or more of up to 0.5% Ti, up to 0.5% Nb, up to 0.5% Zr, up to 0.5% V, up to 3.0% Mo, up to 0.03% B, up to 0.02% REM (rare earth metals) and up to 0.03% Ca. The stainless steel sheet can be plastically deformed to an objective shape without any cracks even at a part heavily-worked part by multi-stage deep drawing or compression deforming. Md30(° C.)=551−462(C+N)−9.2Si−8.1Mn−29(Ni+Cu)−13.7Cr−18.5Mo SFI(mJ/m2)=2.2Ni+6Cu−1.

Abstract: A cobalt-free martensitic steel exhibiting good response to hardening and resistance to softening at high temperatures, the steel containing sub-micron and nano-structural precipitates and intermetallic compounds of silicon, nickel, aluminum, copper and manganese.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-brittle silicide target for forming a gate oxide film made of MSi0.8-1.2 (M: Zr, Hf), and provides a non-brittle silicide target suitable for forming a ZrO2.SiO2 film or HfO2.SiO2 film that can be used as a high dielectric gate insulating film having properties to substitute an SiO2 film.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy which is able to use not only expensive TiC particles, but also inexpensive dispersed reinforcing particles and which is further raised in high temperature strength without requiring an increase in dispersed reinforcing particles, comprised of Sn: 2 to 20 wt %, Cu: 0.1 to 3 wt %, Ca: 0.02 to 1.5 wt %, at least one element selected from the group comprised of Mg, Cr, Zr, Mn, V, Ni, and Fe: not more than 2 wt % in total, at least one type of reinforcing particle selected from the group comprised of TiC particles, ZrC particles, and Al2O3 particles: 0.1 to 5 vol % in total, and the balance of Al and unavoidable impurities; a slide bearing comprised of that aluminum alloy; and a slide bearing comprised of a bearing body made of that aluminum alloy provided on its surface with a resin coating layer comprised of a heat-curing resin and a solid lubricant.

Abstract: A method, which is used to make controlled defects corresponding to natural flaws and residual stresses in various kinds of test pieces. Defects identical to natural flaws are required to qualify non-destructive testing (NDT) procedures. In the method, sequential, repeated, heating-cooling cycles are used to create defects and residual stresses. The shape of the heating and cooling pattern, the duration of the heating and cooling, and the number of thermal cycles are used to control the size of the defects and residual stresses obtained. The defect is grown without initial flaw or other nucleator. The defects correspond to natural flaws in terms of morphology and also of the signals obtained with NDT methods, and are suitable for use in, for example, NDT-qualification blocks.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic film consisting of giant single crystal grains is disclosed. The method includes depositing the metallic film on a substrate under an atmosphere of an inert gas and a specified additive gas to change a surface energy, grain boundary energy, or internal strain energy of the metallic film. The method also includes annealing step of the resultant of the deposition at a temperature suitable for the grain growth of the metallic film containing the additive gases. According to the method, the metallic film consisting of giant single crystal grains having a grain size whose ratio of thickness to an average grain size of the film is above 50 can be produced without depending upon the kind of substrate and deposition method.

Abstract: Described is a high quality sputtering target and method of manufacture which involves application of equal channel angular extrusion.

Abstract: A steel workpiece maintained at a specified quenching temperature is rapidly cooled to a temperature just above the martensite transformation start point (Ms point) by being immersed in a high-temperature quenching oil. Thereafter, the steel workpiece is taken out of the high-temperature quenching oil so as to be soaked by the heat possessed by the steel workpiece and subsequently cooled by being immersed in the high-temperature quenching oil. Through these processes, a temperature difference between steel workpieces or the portions of a steel workpiece in the martensite transformation stage is reduced, and a cooling speed in a high-temperature region (not lower than about 550° C.) is made to be a slow speed sufficient for restraining a thermal distortion, by which the quenching distortion and quenching variation can be reduced.

Abstract: Quenching a work piece made of a titanium alloy having a temperature higher than 800° C. to a temperature lower than 500° C. at a cooling rate greater than 10° C./second between 800° C. and 500° C. is used to render the cooled work piece containing &agr;″ phase as a major phase. The work piece is preferably a medical implant.

Abstract: A communication system comprises an input-output processor IOP (11) coupled to a plurality of network devices (10) and a protocol processor PP (12), both processors being coupled to a common memory (15). Memory access control means (16) resolves competition between the processors for memory access. Normally, if one of the two processors is accessing the memory, the memory control unit (16) allows that access to be completed before allowing the other processor to access the memory. But if data loss in a network device is imminent, the IOP, is granted a higher priority memory access, the memory access controller aborts (interrupts) any memory access by the PP, allowing the IOP to access the memory immediately.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slow combustion composition for long duration pyrotechnic delays. It comprises an oxidant of the perchlorate type according to a percentage in mass of between 75 to 91%, a reductant selected from among the aromatics according to a percentage in mass of between 5 to 20%, 0 to 6% of a binder and 0 to 5% in mass of a nanometric silica powder. Application to the manufacture of cords or fuses for delays having a combustion rate of around 1 mm/s.

Abstract: A composite substrate in which the surface of the insulating layer is not influenced by the electrode layer and which requires neither a grinding process nor a sol-gel process, is easy to produce and can provide a thin-film EL device having a high display quality when used therein; a thin-film EL device using the substrate; and a production process for the device. The thin-film EL device is produced by forming a luminescent layer, other insulating layer and other electrode layer successively on a composite substrate comprising a substrate; an electrode layer embedded in the substrate in such a manner that the electrode layer and the substrate are in one plane; and an insulating layer formed on the surface of a composite comprising the substrate and the electrode layer.

Abstract: A friction body of porous carbon, which is infiltrated with silicon and reinforced with carbon fibers, includes at least one separate friction layer on a core body. In order to protect the friction layer against damage by outbreaking, carbon fibers in the friction layer are shorter than carbon fibers of the core body. Accordingly, different possibilities for producing a friction body with short fibers in the friction layer are possible.

Abstract: The invention is a method or a device for wrapping the rubber strip around the forming drum while extruding an unvulcanized rubber strip from an injection device, wherein the rubber strip is pressed by a guide roll against the forming drum under tension, as well as a space for absorbing variations in an amount of extrusion of the rubber strip is formed between the guide roll and an extrusion outlet of the injection device, the forming drum is rotated in synchronism with extrusion of the rubber strip so that the guide roll is driven, and the rubber strip guided by the guide roll is wrapped around the forming drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to a segmental tire building drum (10) for laminating tire components (103, 106) having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially movable base segments (30) each having a secondary segment (50) radially movable relative to the base segment for providing a cylindrical flat surface to support each of the tire components as it is applied and spliced on the building drum and to compensate for thickened edges of the tire components applied to the tire building drum.

Abstract: A method for forming a container (7) starting from a web (3) of heat-bondable material wound on a reel (4) comprises the following operations: forming a tubular element (5) of predetermined diameter and height; mounting the tubular element (5) over a support (16); closing one end of the tubular element (5) to form the open container (7); inserting the container (7) into a mould (12) after heating if necessary; forcing the walls of the container (7) against the inner walls of the mould (12); opening the mould and withdrawing the container (7) from the support (16).

Abstract: A liquid pressure transfer printing on a steering wheel rim of an automobile, using a transfer printing sheet having different patterns or brightness at left and right sides, is achieved by preparing a transfer printing sheet for a front surface where patterns having a predetermined shape are arranged at all positions corresponding to transfer printing positions on the front surface of the steering wheel rim, using computer graphics, so that the patterns can be concurrently transfer-printed at transfer printing positions, preparing transfer printing sheets for part of a rear surface where patterns of a predetermined shape are independently arranged to correspond to positions of the patterns of a predetermined shape of the transfer printing sheet for the front surface, using computer graphics, so that transfer printing can be performed without interference on the rear surface of the steering wheel rim where a steering column attachment portion protrudes, performing transfer printing on all transfer printing po

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium including a servo pattern, comprising steps of: (a) providing a non-magnetic substrate including at least one major surface; (b) providing a stamper having a surface with a plurality of recesses forming a negative image of a servo pattern; (c) forming a layer of a partially dried sol-gel material having a first surface in conformal contact with the recess-patterned surface of the stamper and an exposed second surface opposite the first surface; (d) urging the major surface of the substrate into contact with the exposed second surface of the sol-gel layer; (e) removing the stamper from contact with the layer of sol-gel material to expose the recess-patterned surface thereof; (f) converting the partially dried sol-gel layer to a glass-like layer while preserving the recess pattern in the surface thereof; and (f) forming on the recess-patterned surface a laminate of layers constituting a servo-patterned magnetic recording medium.

Abstract: A lamination method, which is a method in which a dry resist film, formed by providing a color resist layer on a base film, is cut based upon the length of a substrate in the feeding direction, and press-bonded onto the substrate, and then the color resist layer is transferred onto the substrate by separating the base film, is provided with the following steps: in the cutting process, cutting the film so that the rear end of the dry resist film, after the press-bonding, extrudes from the rear end of the substrate by a predetermined width; and cutting the dry resist film again at a position inside the rear end of the substrate prior to separating the base film after the dry resist film has been press-bonded so as to eliminate the portion of the dry resist film extruding from the substrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in the art of making high pressure laminated materials utilizing saturating kraft paper. More particularly, the invention relates to release sheets coated with an aqueous polymeric composition which makes the sheets useful in the production of heat and pressure consolidated laminated materials. Papers which are coated with these aqueous polymeric compositions exhibit excellent release properties which, when employed as release sheets, permit high pressure laminates to be easily separated.

Abstract: A microchip fabrication chamber has a pedestal adapted to retain a wafer during processing steps conducted within the chamber. A lift mechanism including a plurality of lift mechanism pins engages and disengages a wafer to the pedestal. A sensor associated with the tip of at least one of the lift mechanism pins detects the presence of the wafer.

Abstract: A plasma etching apparatus includes a worktable disposed in a hermetic process chamber. The worktable has a main surface for placing a wafer thereon, and a sub-surface for placing a focus ring thereon. A cooling mechanism for supplying cold to the main surface and sub-surface is disposed in the worktable. A heat transfer medium made of conductive silicone rubber is interposed between the sub-surface and focus ring. A press mechanism presses the focus ring toward the sub-surface. The heat transfer medium improves thermal conductivity between the sub-surface and focus ring to be higher than in a case with no thermal transfer medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cotton-wool-like cellulose having a basis weight of about 20 to about 80 g/m2 comprising, an embossed ply of 10 to 40 g/m2, including raised designs consisting at least partly of discrete protuberances oriented towards the inside of the structure, and a non-embossed ply. The invention is characterised in that the embossed ply has over at least a surface portion at least 30 protuberances per cm2 whereof the surface is less than 1 mm2, preferably less than 0.7 mm2, and the basis weight of the embossed ply is less than that of the non-embossed ply. Preferably, it is less by 5 to 30%.

Abstract: Addition of a premixed aqueous mixture of anionic dry strength resin and cationic or amphoteric starch to a paper making pulp slurry yields paper with higher dry strength than paper that is the same except that the starch and dry strength resin are added separately.

Abstract: The invention relates to a degassing centrifugal apparatus such as a pump having energy recovery means and to a process for degassing a fluid. The apparatus has a rotatable hollow rotor connected to a fluid inlet at one end and a liquid outlet at the opposite end. A gas exhaust is connected to the center of the apparatus. The apparatus has at its inlet end means for bringing a fluid to rotate on the inner wall of said rotor. The apparatus comprises a turbine at its outlet end recovering excess dynamic energy from the rotating fluid. The apparatus is especially useful for centrifugal degassing of backwater in the production of paper or board machine.

Abstract: A method for threading a material web (3) through a processing plant (1). The material web (3) is divided, by a longitudinal cut, into a first narrow part (31) and a second broad part (32), the first part (31) being passed through the processing plant (1) while the second part (32) is separated. The width of the first part (31) is increased successively so that a growing share of the material web (3) is passed through the processing plant (1). Finally the entire width of the material web (3) is passed through the processing plant (1). The material web (3) is pulled through the processing plant (1) by a controllable force (tension). The magnitude of the controllable force is automatically adjusted to the width of the first part (31) of the material web (3), preferably in such manner that the magnitude of the force is selected proportional to the width of the first part (31).

Abstract: A method of reducing the surface tension on papermaking rolls comprises applying to the papermaking roll an effective amount of a blend of catonic water soluble polymer, nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant. The composition has an overall positive charge. Preferably the cationic polymer is a quatemary ammonium compound.

Abstract: A papermaker's fabric is manufactured by spirally winding a laminated structure in a plurality of turns. The laminated structure has a bottom layer and a top layer, both of which are strips having a common width. The bottom layer and the top layer are laminated to one another in a transversely offset manner, so that an unlaminated portion of the bottom layer is along one lateral edge of the laminated structure and an unlaminated portion of the top layer is along the other lateral edge. When the laminated structure is spirally wound, the unlaminated portion of the top layer in one turn overlies the unlaminated portion of the bottom layer in an adjacent turn. These are joined to one another to form the papermaker's fabric from the spirally wound structure.

Abstract: A system and method for forming a chemically reacted layer proximate an exposed surface of a substrate is disclosed. A gas supply provides a chemically reactive molecular gas to an ion source that generates a divergent ion current directed at a target. The ion current contains at least one species of chemically reactive molecular ion, and the target is disposed in a chamber having a partial vacuum. A voltage source applies a bias to the target such that chemically reactive molecular ions from the ion source are accelerated toward the target with sufficient kinetic energy to dissociate at least some of the chemically reactive molecular ions by collision with the surface of the target.

Abstract: A method for improving a performance of a sputtering target in a magnetron sputtering system having at least one magnet repetitively and retracingly scanning between two sides thereof and receiving a power input changing with a scanning position of the magnet is provided. The method includes the steps of stepwise reducing the power input while the magnet approaches a specific distance range near a retracing point, so as to reduce an erosion rate of the sputtering target by the magnetron sputtering system, and increasing the power input to a specific value while the magnet leaves the specific distance range, wherein the power input changes with the scanning position of the magnet, so as to improve the performance of the sputtering target.

Abstract: A heat treatable coated article (e.g., vehicle windshield, IG unit, etc.) is provided with a dual-silver low-E coating. Before and/or after heat treatment (HT); the coating and/or coated article has a visible transmittance of at least 70%, more preferably at least 75%. Moreover, the coating and/or coated article is designed so as to have approximately the same color when viewed over a wide range of viewing angles. In certain embodiments, at least one contact layer (e.g., of or including NiCrOx) that contacts an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., Ag) is oxidation graded so that it progressively becomes less oxidized through its thickness as it nears the IR reflecting layer. In still other embodiments, a Si-rich silicon nitride layer(s) may be utilized to reduce haze.

Abstract: This cathode (3) contains, within the pores in its structure, a carbon-containing product fired at a temperature of less than 1600° C., improving the erosion resistance by protecting the graphitized binder.

Abstract: A titanium target assembly includes a titanium sputtering target, a copper or copper alloy backing plate and serving as a support member for the target and a silver or silver alloy coating film and formed between the target and backing plate. The coating film is formed on a surface subjected to cleaning treatment on the bonding side or sides of the target and backing plate by physical vapor deposition. The titanium target and backing plate are solid phase diffusion bonded. The face(s) serve as the bonding plane. The assembly can be manufactured by cleaning the surface(s) of the target and/or backing plate on bonding side(s), forming a coating film on the cleaned surface(s) on bonding side(s) and solid phase diffusion-bonding the target and backing plate, while using surface(s) provided with coated film as the bonding plane. The target assembly possesses high bonding strength and excellent bonding stability and reliability.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer in a process chamber to improve power coupling through the substrate. The apparatus contains a pedestal assembly and a pedestal cover positioned over the top surface of and circumscribing the pedestal assembly for electrically isolating the pedestal assembly. The pedestal cover reduces conductive film growth in the wafer process region. As such, RF wafer biasing power from the pedestal assembly remains coupled through the substrate during processing.

Abstract: A sputtering apparatus includes a sputtering chamber, a target disposed in the sputtering chamber, and a magnetic field generator for generating a rotating magnetic field at the front of the target. The magnetic field generator includes a main magnetic field-generating part that faces the back of the target and is horizontally (laterally) offset from a vertical line passing through the center of the target. A magnetic annulus of the main magnetic field-generating part forms a magnetic enclosure having openings therethrough at locations faced in the directions of the central and peripheral portions of the target. The magnetic field-generating part thus produces a magnetic field having a non-uniform distribution at the front of the target. A substrate is positioned within the sputtering chamber facing the front of the target. A metal layer is formed by sputtering atoms from the front of the target onto the substrate. The behavior of the sputtered atoms can be effectively controlled by the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method for detection of a bubble in a liquid which is placed in a measuring chamber and is in contact with a sensor for measuring the partial pressure of a particular gas in a liquid is provided. The method includes performing a first measurement of the partial pressure of the particular gas in the liquid at a first pressure in the measuring chamber. Next, the pressure in the measuring chamber is changed to a second pressure. A second measurement of the partial pressure of the gas in the liquid at the second pressure in the measuring chamber is performed. An expected result of the second measurement based on the first measurement and assuming that no bubbles are present in the measuring chamber during any of the measurements is provided. The actual result of the second measurement is compared with the expected result and a conclusion is drawn on the presence of a gas bubble in the liquid based on the comparison. An apparatus for measuring the content of a particular gas in a liquid is also provided.

Abstract: A gas sensor is created comprising an electrochemical cell having a solid electrolyte layer disposed between an exhaust gas electrode and a reference electrode. A resistor is disposed in electrical communication with a heater and the reference electrode. The resistor can be disposed on a side of the gas sensor; on a side of the gas sensor such that the resistor is electrically connected through a via hole; over at least a portion of at least two sides of the gas sensor; or disposed in a void extending at least from the heater to the pump electrode, such that the void extends to at least a surface of the gas sensor, extends to at least partially through the gas sensor, or extends completely through the gas sensor. A method for using this gas sensor comprises applying a voltage to the heater within the gas sensor. A current is directed through the resistor to the reference electrode to pump oxygen into the reference electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus for the electrodialytic regeneration of an electroless bath electrolyte. There are diluate compartments through which the bath electrolyte is channeled, concentrate compartments through which a regeneration electrolyte is channeled, an anode, and a cathode. The diluate compartments of the first electrodialysis unit are serially connected to the diluate compartments of the second electrodialysis unit via lines through which the bath electrolyte is sequentially channeled. The concentrate compartments of the first electrodialysis unit are serially connected to the concentrate compartments of the second electrodialysis unit via lines through which the regeneration electrolyte is sequentially channeled.

Abstract: A method of electroplating metal onto a low conductivity layer combines a potential or current reversal waveform with variation in the amplitude and duration of the applied potential or current pulse. The method includes, over time, varying the duration of the pulse and continuously decreasing the amplitude of both the cathodic and anodic portions of the waveform across the surface of the low conductivity layer as the deposition zone moves from the center of the surface of the low conductivity layer to the outside edge. By virtue of the ability to vary the amplitude and duration of the pulse, the method facilitates the filling of structures in the center of the low conductivity layer without overdepositing on the outside edge, thus ensuring a controlled deposition of material across the surface of the low conductivity layer.

Abstract: A level sensing system includes a flow control device disposed in fluid communication with a liquid outlet stream of a hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus and a controller disposed in operable communication with the flow control device. The controller is configured to receive and quantify input data corresponding to a measure of the rate of generation of hydrogen gas from a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell. A method of maintaining a liquid level in the hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus includes deriving the rate of generation of hydrogen gas from the electrolysis cell, transmitting a value corresponding to the rate of generation to the flow control device, and adjusting the flow rate of the liquid exiting the hydrogen/water phase separation apparatus correspondingly with the rate of generation of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Insulation assemblies provide reduced heat loss from electrolytic metal production cells such as inert anode aluminum production cells. The insulation assemblies may be located at the end, side and/or center aisles of the cell, and may be supported by the anodes and deckplate of the cell. The assemblies reduce heat loss and bath vaporization losses, and permit stable operation of the inert anode cell.