Abstract: The present invention achieves energy saving and a decrease in facility cost for a hot water supply device by dividing a water receiving tank. A hot water supply system comprising: a water receiving tank receiving water supplied from a water supply source; a hot water storage tank connected to the water receiving tank via a connection pipe and storing hot water and supplying hot water to a hot water supply load; and a hot water supply device supplying the water stored in the hot water storage tank.

Abstract: A stabilizer has a tip portion at a boundary between the stabilizer and a nozzle, and a projection on the lower side of the tip portion, and a first recess is formed between the projection and the tip portion in a continuously recessed shape in the longitudinal direction of the cross flow fan.

Abstract: A partition member for total heat exchange element (14) includes an ultrafine fiber portion (17) on a porous sheet (18). The ultrafine fiber portion (17) is impregnated with or coated with a moisture permeable substance (21), and water-insolubilized.

Abstract: HVAC module has an air inlet, an evaporator downstream of the blower and a heater downstream of the evaporator, and a rear mixing zone downstream of the evaporator and the heater, wherein a control valve prevents cold air from flowing back towards the hot air by regulating the pressure of the cold air. A method is devised to control anti-backflow control valve of such an HVAC module by the steps of reading pressure and temperatures at various points in the HVAC module; setting air flow and temperature discharge targets; calculating the resistance of the control valve and a bland valve; determining corresponding control valve and blend valve positions; and moving the control valve and blend valve to those corresponding positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that involve detecting a flammable refrigerant associated with a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. In one instance a damper covers an access port allowing a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. In another instance, a multi-probe sensor allows a single sensor to monitor at least two separate spaces. Other systems and methods are presented.

Abstract: A standard schedule creator creates a standard schedule that makes it possible to achieve a target presented by target data. A seasonal schedule updater, monthly schedule updater, weekly schedule updater, and current day schedule updater update the created standard schedule using the corresponding weather forecast data to create an operation schedule of an air conditioner in which the weather forecast is properly reflected.

Abstract: A building control system that includes a central coordinator and one or more discrete air conditioner controllers configured to communicate with one or more discrete air conditioner units. The discrete air conditioner controller may include a wireless I/O block for receiving signals in a first signal format from the central coordinator and for transmitting signals to the one or more discrete air conditioner units in a second signal format. In some instances, the discrete air conditioner controller may be configured to wirelessly transmit a signal to at least one discrete air conditioner unit in response to receiving a signal from the central coordinator. This configuration may provide a measure of distributed control of the building control system in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system control apparatus capable of, even for a room in which a humidity sensor is not installed, accurately estimating an indoor humidity and preventing an indoor temperature and humidity from deviating from comfortable ranges. The air-conditioning system control apparatus includes a thermal characteristic parameter setting unit configured to determine a thermal characteristic parameter of a building thermal model based on a heat equation, a humidity characteristic parameter setting unit configured to determine a humidity characteristic parameter of a building humidity model based on a moisture balance equation in an air-conditioned space, and a control data generation unit configured to generate control data of an air-conditioning apparatus so that a temperature and a humidity of the air-conditioned space are each within a preset range.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may help a contractor pro-actively identify possible issues with its customer's building control systems and may output an alert related to an operation of the customer's building control systems. Within the system, the contractor may able to open a case associated with the customer's building control systems and link related alerts to the case.

Abstract: An insulated HVAC duct component such as a transition box includes a first insulation layer and a second, different insulation layer. The transition box includes at least four sidewalls and one of a top and a back wall, the transition box further including a first access port and a second access port, the first access port having a different cross section than the second access port, one of the access ports being spaced from a nearest sidewall by less than 2 inches. The first insulation layer is located along an inside surface of the box. The second different insulation layer overlies the first insulation layer, the second different insulation layer having an air impervious surface, wherein the combined thickness of the first insulation layer and the second different insulation layer is less than 2 inches.

Abstract: An air conditioning register is provided that includes a case, a downstream fin, a specific upstream fin extending in a direction perpendicular to the downstream fin, and an operation knob. The specific upstream fin includes a fin main body pivotally supported by the case via an upstream fin shaft and a transmission body pivotally supported by the case via a pivot located further upstream than the upstream fin shaft. The fin main body and the transmission body are coupled to each other. The operation knob is mounted slidably on the downstream fin and includes a pair of fork portions sandwiching a transmission shaft portion of the transmission body therebetween. When the operation knob is operated to slide and thereby the transmission shaft portion is moved, the fin main body of the specific upstream fin is tilted.

Abstract: A dehumidifier has a handle that is recessed inward from a top surface of a main body to open both side surfaces thereof and is disposed to stably move the main body of the dehumidifier without deteriorating an outer appearance of the dehumidifier.

Abstract: The cogeneration system includes: a cogeneration apparatus which generates electric power using supplied fuel gas and supplies the electric power and heat; a heat accumulator which accumulates the heat supplied by the cogeneration apparatus; a controller which controls at least start and stop of the cogeneration apparatus; and a display unit that displays a remaining power generation duration which is a length of time for which the cogeneration apparatus can continue power generation. The controller further calculates the remaining power generation duration based on a remaining heat accumulation capacity which is a difference between (a) a maximum accumulable heat amount which is the amount of heat the heat accumulator is capable of accumulating and (b) a current accumulated heat amount that is the amount of heat currently accumulated in the heat accumulator, and causes the display unit to display the calculated remaining power generation duration.

Abstract: An electric heater, and an apparatus, a heating and air conditioning system and a vehicle, each comprising the electric heater, are provided. The electric heater comprises an outer frame; a heating core configured to connect to a power source and disposed within the outer frame; and a sealing-waterproof glue member disposed within the outer frame and configured to encase at least one end of the heating core. The heating core further comprises: a plurality of heat dissipating components and heating components arranged alternately, and each of the heat dissipating component is coupled with a heating component via a thermal conductor. Each of the heating components further comprises a core tube and a positive temperature coefficient thermistor disposed in the core tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating water has a tank for storing water and an air conditioning system that defines a refrigerant flow path through which refrigerant flows. The refrigerant flow path passes through the heat exchanger so that refrigerant heat is contributed to the tank. A control system controls operation of the water heating apparatus.

Abstract: Instant self-heating containers include a combinable reactant and activator used to generate an exothermic reaction for heating contents of the container. One instant self-heating container includes a target container, a pierceable activator container and a reaction chamber. Piercing the activator container causes activator to combine with the reactant and cause an exothermic reaction that heats the target container. The container may be used as depilatory wax dispenser. Another instant self-heating container includes an outer housing containing a contents pouch and a reactant, and capped by a lid having an activator chamber. Rupturing the activator chamber allows activator to combine with the reactant in an exothermic reaction to heat the contents pouch. Another instant self-heating container includes a flexible outer tube containing contents to be heated, a flexible reaction vessel, and a frangible activator vessel.

Abstract: Technical challenges of efficiently and cost-effectively deriving energy from the sun are addressed using a manifold and an array of evacuated tubes in fluid connection, in a butterfly or other planar arrangement. Tube and manifold fluid guides are plumbed for coaxial flow and/or parallel flow, and thermally protected by sleeves, stainless steel piping, and/or vacuum. Tubes are provided with a selective low emissivity coating and/or internal mirror to reduce thermal loss. The solar absorption surface of evacuated tubes may be five square meters or more, with only low-quality concentration optics, or no concentration optics used. The tubes array tracks the sun with a two-axis motion platform. Fluid operating temperatures range from 150 to 300 degrees centigrade, depending on the sunlight exposure, working fluid, and supplemental heat source if any. Fluid may circulate heat between the manifold and heat engine, cogeneration facility, and/or other module.

Abstract: A sun positioning sensor and method of accurately tracking the sun are disclosed. The sensor includes a position sensing diode and a disk having a body defining an aperture for accepting solar light. An extension tube having a body that defines a duct spaces the position sensing diode from the disk such that the solar light enters the aperture in the disk, travels through the duct in the extension tube and strikes the position sensing diode. The extension tube has a known length that is fixed. Voltage signals indicative of the location and intensity of the sun are generated by the position sensing diode. If it is determined that the intensity values are unreliable, then historical position values are used from a table. If the intensity values are deemed reliable, then actual position values are used from the position sensing diode.

Abstract: A cooling water supply system includes a separator (3) that separates high-temperature/high-pressure geothermal water introduced from a production well (1) into steam and hot water; an evaporator (7) that evaporates a heat medium by performing heat exchange with the steam separated by the separator; a steam turbine (9) that is driven with steam of the heat medium evaporated by the evaporator (7); a power generator (9a) that is driven by the steam turbine (9) to generate power; a condenser (16) that condenses the heat medium introduced from the steam turbine (9) by performing heat exchange with cooling water; a cooling tower (20) that cools the cooling water to be supplied to the condenser (16); and a reservoir (11) that supplies the cooling water to the cooling tower, wherein the geothermal water introduced from the production well (1) is used as the cooling water.

Abstract: A turbo refrigerator (1) includes: a turbo compressor (5) to which a gas-phase component (X3) of a refrigerant from an economizer (3) is supplied, wherein the turbo compressor (5) includes a first flow path (R10) through which a compressed refrigerant gas (X1) flows, and a connecting pipe (5b) connected to the first flow path (R10) and a second flow path (R3) through which the gas-phase component (X3) of the refrigerant flows, and the diameter of the connecting pipe (5b) reduces toward the first flow path (R10) from the second flow path (R3).

Abstract: An ejector has a swirling space, a pressure reducing space, a suction passage, a pressure increasing space, a nozzle passage, a diffuser passage, a passage forming member that forms the nozzle passage and the diffuser passage, and a vibration suppressing portion that suppresses a vibration of the passage forming member. The vibration suppressing portion has (i) a first elastic member that applies a load to the passage forming member in a direction in which an area of a cross section perpendicular to the direction of the central axis of the nozzle passage and the diffuser passage decreases and (ii) a second elastic member that applies a load to the passage forming member in a direction opposite from the direction in which the first elastic member applies the load to the passage forming member.

Abstract: An auxiliary heat exchanger may reduce a temperature of a refrigerant allowed to pass through the auxiliary heat exchanger. The operation of the auxiliary heat exchanger may be controlled. In some implementations, the auxiliary heat exchangers may include fluid retention members, thermoelectric coolers, and/or other types of heat exchangers.

Abstract: Refrigerator appliance with movable individually temperature controlled bins are provided. One example refrigerator appliance includes one or more transmitter coils and one or more bins. Each of the one or more bins includes a temperature sensor positioned to read a temperature in a bin storage volume. Each of the one or more bins includes a receiver coil. The receiver coil receives power from one of the one or more transmitter coils through inductive power transfer. Each of the one or more bins includes a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump receives power from the receiver coil. The operation of the thermoelectric heat pump is controlled based on the temperature in the bin storage volume read by the temperature sensor, such that the temperature in the bin storage volume is maintained at a setpoint temperature associated with such bin.

Abstract: When a dehumidifying heating operation is performed by a heat-radiating operation of the interior condenser and a heat-absorbing operation of the exterior heat-exchanger and the evaporator, a control device of an air conditioner for vehicle decreases the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be equal to or less than a predetermined opening degree before opening the solenoid valve for dehumidification in a closed state, opens the solenoid valve for dehumidification after decreasing the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be equal to or less than the predetermined opening degree, and then increasing the valve opening degree of the electronic expansion valve to be greater than the predetermined opening degree after opening the solenoid valve for dehumidification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a unitary heat pump air conditioner (HPAC) system having a refrigerant diversion loop configured to supply sufficient heat to defrost an external heat exchanger while not materially affecting the supply of heat to the passenger compartment of a vehicle. The HPAC system includes a refrigerant loop configured to pump heat from a cold coolant loop that scavenges heat from the external heat exchanger to a hot coolant loop that supplies heat to the passenger compartment. The refrigerant loop includes a condenser in thermal communication with the hot coolant loop, evaporator in thermal communication with the cold coolant loop, and a compressor to cycle the refrigerant through the refrigerant loop. The refrigerant loop further includes means to selectively divert at least a portion of the hot compressed refrigerant exiting the compressor directly to the evaporator to heat the cold coolant loop sufficient to defrost the external heat exchanger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for configuring, on a control unit, operating parameters of a plurality of devices of a refrigeration system. A user selects on the control unit, among the plurality of devices of the refrigeration system, a first device to configure. Information of valid configurable operating parameters of the first device is provided on the control unit. The user selects at least one of the valid configurable operating parameters of the first device, thereby configuring the first device. Information stored about operating parameters of other devices of the refrigeration system, based on the configuration of the first device, is then provided on the control unit. Finally, the user confirms, on the control unit, one or more operating parameters of one or more of the other devices, thereby configuring the one or more other devices. The invention also relates to a control unit and a refrigeration system.

Abstract: An air conditioning system, an outdoor apparatus of an air conditioning system and a method for controlling an air conditioning system are provided. The air conditioning system includes: an indoor apparatus and an outdoor apparatus. The outdoor apparatus includes a variable-frequency compressor and a controller configured to perform a variable-frequency control on the variable-frequency compressor according to operation parameters of the variable-frequency compressor and independent from the indoor apparatus.

Abstract: A compressor crankcase heating control method for a heat pump system includes selectively actuating a first switching device to connect and disconnect first and second power lines to and from second and third switching devices, respectively, the first and second power lines receive a first voltage. The compressor crankcase heating control method further includes, when the first and second power lines are disconnected from the second and third switching devices via the first switching device, actuating the second and third switching devices thereby connecting third and fourth power lines to ends, respectively, of at least one winding of a stator of an electric motor of a compressor. The at least one winding of the stator of the electric motor heats the crankcase of the compressor. The third and fourth power lines receive a second voltage that is less than the first voltage.

Abstract: An ice maker assembly and a method for operating an ice maker are provided. The method includes measuring a temperature of the ice maker and determining a first derivative of the temperature of the ice maker with respect to time. An operating state of the ice maker is established based at least in part on the temperature of the ice maker and the first derivative of the temperature of the ice maker with respect to time. Knowledge of the operating state of the ice maker can assist with preventing damage to a motor of the ice maker and with detecting super-cooled liquid water in a mold body of the ice maker.

Abstract: Ice making system and method for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice making system includes an ice making unit that makes ice cubes, a cold air generator that cools air inside a cooling duct so as to produce cold air, a cold air circulation unit that supplies the cold air from the cold air generator to the ice making unit, and discharges the cold air from the ice making unit to the cold air generator, and a cold air guiding unit that circulates the cold air inside the ice making unit.

Abstract: Safe, stable, non-toxic and recyclable cooling compositions comprising solid particulate compounds undergo an endothermic process when mixed with water such that the resulting mixture is useful for cooling surfaces, liquids and solids. The compositions always include one or more compounds from a group consisting of endothermic compounds that contain potassium; one or more compounds from a group of endothermic compounds that contain nitrogen; and at least one compound from a group consisting of ammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, ammonium pyrophosphate and ammonium metaphosphate such that the compound or mixture of compounds in this group is at least 1% by weight of the final composition.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the cabinet, a freezer compartment disposed within the cabinet, an ice compartment disposed within the cabinet, and an electronic control system associated with the refrigerator and adapted to monitor and control the fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment and the ice compartment. The control system provides for energy efficient control and operation through various means, including by monitoring state of an ice maker associated with the ice compartment and controlling temperature within compartments of the refrigerator based on the ice maker state. A damper controls air flow between the fresh food and freezer compartments. The control system can direct heat to the damper if the damper becomes frozen.

Abstract: Surged heat pump systems, devices, and methods are disclosed having refrigerant phase separators that generate at least one surge of vapor phase refrigerant into the inlet of an evaporator during an on cycle of the compressor. This surge of vapor phase refrigerant, having a higher temperature than the liquid phase refrigerant, increases the temperature of the evaporator inlet, thus reducing frost build up in relation to conventional refrigeration systems lacking a surged input of vapor phase refrigerant to the evaporator. The temperature of the vapor phase refrigerant is raised in relation to the liquid phase with heat from the liquid by the phase separation, not by the introduction of energy from another source. The surged heat pump systems may operate in highest heat transfer efficiency mode and/or in one or more higher temperature modes.

Abstract: A refrigerated appliance having a cabinet defining at least one interior compartment, the cabinet having a metal inner liner, a framed thermal break member having four corner joinery elements coupled to four side thermal breaks, and a cabinet face plate. The refrigerated appliance also has a door coupled to the cabinet where the door has a framed profile having four corner joints coupled to four side profiles, an inner panel, two or more ladders, a gasket, and an outer door panel. The framed thermal break member is coupled to the metal liner and the cabinet face plate. The framed profile is coupled to the inner panel, two or more ladders, the gasket, and the outer door panel.

Abstract: A refrigerator may include a main door pivotably mounted to the cabinet to allow access to a storage compartment, the main door having an opening for an auxiliary storage compartment; a sub door pivotably mounted to the main door; a support shelf having at least one rotating shaft pivotably mounted at a lower vicinity of the opening; a case mounted in a recess formed in the main door, the case having an opening through which a slider slides, and a rotating gear provided with a pinion and coupled to the at least one rotating shaft. The slider includes a rack engaged with the pinion such that a movement of the sub door to close the auxiliary compartment rotates the support shelf to a vertical position, and a movement of the sub door to open the auxiliary compartment rotates the support shelf to a horizontal position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator which includes a carbonated water production assembly, wherein the carbonated water production assembly includes a structure in which purified water or carbonated water which overflow from a carbonated water container in which the carbonated water is produced is discharged by detouring. Through this, cleanliness of the carbonated water container may be improved, and safety may be improved during the carbonated water production.

Abstract: A refrigeration device including a heat-insulated housing, which contains a storage compartment, a water tank, a fan for propelling a stream of cold air that passes through an evaporator and a distribution unit for the controlled distribution of the stream of cold air along at least two circulation paths, the first of which is in closer thermal contact with the water tank than the second.

Abstract: A variable speed liquid LNG expander (X1) and a variable speed two-phase LNG expander (X2) in line, downstream from X1. The rotational speed of both expanders can be controlled and changed independent from each other. The speed of expander X1 and expander X2 is determined in such way that the amount of liquid LNG downstream from the PHS compared to the feed gas supply is maximized and the amount of vapor and boil-off downstream of X2 is minimized.

Abstract: This invention is about a natural gas isobaric liquefaction apparatus, which is based on the Rankine cycle system of similar thermal energy power circulation apparatus at cryogenic side, a cryogenic liquid pump is used to input power and the refrigerating media makes up cold to the natural gas liquefying apparatus, so as to realize the isobaric liquefaction of natural gas. The natural gas liquefying apparatus of this invention can save energy by over 30% as compared with the traditional advanced apparatus with the identical refrigerating capacity, therefore it constitutes a breakthrough to the traditional natural gas liquefaction technology, with substantial economic, social and environmental protection benefits.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling and liquefying a hydrocarbon stream using a liquefaction process wherein a hydrocarbon stream is cooled and at least partially liquefied to obtain a liquefied hydrocarbon stream. In the method, one or more compressors are driven with one or more electric drivers, that are powered with one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators. These dual-fuel diesel-electric generations are operated by passing one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams to the one or more dual-fuel diesel-electric generators, wherein at least one of the one or more hydrocarbon fuel streams comprises a stream that is generated in the liquefaction process. The apparatus may be provided on a floating structure, a caisson, or off-shore platform.

Abstract: A method and device for continuously drying and crystallizing water-flushed granulate. The method comprises the steps of: feeding water-flushed granulate into a pre-dryer, pre-drying granulate in the pre-dryer, conveying pre-dried granulate into a dryer/crystallizer, and discharging crystallized granulate from the dryer/crystallizer. An air conditioning means produces temperature-controlled and humidity-conditioned air that is delivered to the dryer/crystallizer, wherein the exhaust air of the dryer/crystallizer is delivered to the pre-dryer, and wherein the exhaust air of the pre-dryer is returned to the air conditioning means forming a closed air circuit is formed by the dryer/crystallizer, pre-dryer, and air conditioning means. The device comprises a pre-dryer, a dryer/crystallizer, an air conditioning means, and optionally a control unit.

Abstract: A system and method for removing moisture from a fibrous material includes applying microwave radiation combined with RF to the fibrous material to heat and evacuate moisture from the fibrous material during a heating cycle and optionally alternating heating cycles with drying/cooling cycles. The fibrous material can be, for example, sawn or dimensional lumber. The application of alternating microwave and RF in a controlled and continuous process advantageously mimics the heating, rewetting and drying cycles of a conventional kiln without the need for batch processing. Accordingly, a faster and more cost-efficient drying process is possible with no defects imparted to the wood in the process.

Abstract: A method to monitor a secondary drying phase of a freeze-drying process comprises initial steps in which is provided to perform pressure rise tests at different time and to calculate a respective value of experimental desorption rate of product (steps 1 to 3). Subsequently, the method provides to estimate initial conditions and kinetic constants of a kinetic model of the process (step 4) and to calculate at time t=t2 a respective residual moisture content and a respective desorption rate (step 5). The method can be performed in a freeze-dryer apparatus which includes a drying chamber that contains a product to be dried and can be isolated to perform pressure rise tests.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous sublimation of a substance includes cascading a material containing a substance capable of sublimation, such as water, between a plurality of trays vertically stacked within a processing zone provided within a processing chamber. A substantially atmospheric environment is maintained within the processing zone at a temperature whereby the substance sublimes forming a sublimate within the environment. The environment containing the sublimate is contacted with a drying agent such as a desiccant to maintain the environment whereby the substance sublimes at substantially atmospheric pressure and at the controlled temperature.

Abstract: A coat drying device dries a coated film that is coated on a continuously transported coating object having first and second parts, where the second part has a greater heat capacity than the first part. The coat drying device includes a drying furnace, a hot air supply device and a control unit. The coating object is conveyed inside of the drying furnace main body. The hot air supply device heats the coating object by blowing hot air to the drying furnace. The control unit controls the hot air supply device based on a heat capacity of the coating object. The control unit controls the hot air supply device such that, when heating the second part, hot air with a greater amount of heat is supplied to the second part than an amount of heat in the hot air that is supplied to heat the first part.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus for performing heat treatment of treatment objects inside a cylindrical body by heating the cylindrical body and rotating the cylindrical body around an axis, includes a pair of movable support parts provided on opposite ends of the cylindrical body along the axis of the cylindrical body so as to be able to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis, and a fixed support part provided between the pair of the movable support parts along the axis so as to be unable to move along the axis and rotatably support the cylindrical body around the axis. The cylindrical body is supported by a three-point support of the pair by the movable support parts and the fixed support part.

Abstract: A method and plant for thermally treating braking elements after a forming step, including a convective heating step at 150-300° C. and a infrared irradiation heating step, immediately in succession one relative to the other. A tunnel convection furnace is crossed by at least a first conveyor belt which translates along a first direction and on an upper face of which the braking elements are placed, is arranged laterally adjacent, with respect to the first direction, to an infrared heating tunnel furnace crossed by a second conveyor belt which translates along a second direction, parallel and opposite to the first one, and on an upper face of which the braking elements are placed. The first conveyor belt is larger than the second conveyor belt, and the braking elements appear in multiple side-by-side rows in a transverse and oblique direction with respect to the first and second directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting gas into a vessel is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a gas flow duct from which to discharge gas from the duct, an elongate central structure extending within the gas flow duct, and a plurality of flow directing vanes disposed about the central structure adjacent the forward end of the duct to impart swirl to a gas flow through the forward end of the duct. The apparatus also comprises cooling water flow passages in the vanes that have inlets at the forward ends of the vanes and outlets at the rear ends of the vanes.

Abstract: A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: Gas purging element (10) for metallurgical applications, comprising the following features in its mounted state: a ceramic refractory body (10, 30) with a lower end and an upper end, the upper end features an upper front surface, the lower end features a lower front surface (12), a depression (20) extends from the lower front surface (12) into the lower end of the ceramic refractory body (10), the depression (20) comprises a first part (16, 16?, 16?) of a detachable, form-fit connection to a gas connection element (50), a fluidic connection for a treating gas through at least one gas permeable section (30) of the ceramic refractory body (10) is provided between the depression (20) and the upper front surface.