Abstract: An electrically heated vacuum furnace is provided with special lead-through devices for transmitting current to the heating elements. In order to recognize gas discharges which can occur between a lead-through and a tank wall, the insulation of the lead-through is surrounded by an auxiliary electrode. A thermocouple can also be used instead of an auxiliary electrode. A signal derived from the auxiliary electrode can be used to shut off the furnace power to avoid damage thereto.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing an active carbon using a carbon-containing material inclusive of an used active carbon as a raw material wherein the carbon-containing raw material is carbonized in a carbonizing unit to produce a carbonized material having electric conductivity and the carbonized material is then activated in an activating treatment unit installed downstream of the carbonizing unit in an atmosphere of steam with a power of electricity induced by electric discharge as well as a function of self-heating of the carbonized material with its own electric resistance are disclosed. The carbonizing unit is constructed in the form of a thermal radiation type batch furnace including an outer wall and a vessel mounted on a firing lattice in the outer wall while a heating chamber is formed therebetween.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: The system comprises at least one coolant-carrying tubular support carrying at least one rider. The latter consists of a heat-resistant cast housing provided with at least one cutout into which a ceramic carrier is inserted. The carrier is of sufficient compressive strength even at a temperature in excess of 1,200.degree. C. The housing remains at a temperature below 1,200.degree. C. and therefore provides a very good support for the carrier which it holds and transfers the loads that occur into the tubular support. The housing is detachably connected with the tubular support by means of a bolt.

Abstract: A method for electric refining of lead with alternating current in which the basic stage of the process is preceded by two stages, a preparatory stage and an initial stage. The preparatory stage involves pretreatment of the electrode surfaces by means of alternating current of equal width and amplitude of the forward and reverse pulses. During the initial stage there is effected an electric refining with alternating current having reduced current density.A circuit for electric refining of lead with alternating current has two controllable current rectifiers, each of which is connected to a separate group of electrolytic baths. The groups of electrolytic baths and the controllable current rectifiers are connected in series and opposite to one another.

Abstract: This is a process for producing high quality zirconium or hafnium sponge. It is especially useful for producing the very high purity zirconium which may be used to line the inner surface zirconium of Zircaloy tubing for nuclear fuel rods. The process uses a combination reduction-distillation vessel which is directly fed with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride from a molten salt sublimer. A precharge of magnesium chloride is used to prevent reduction of metal outside the inner liner, and thereby facilitate removal of the inner liner after reduction and distillation. The agitator for the molten salt sublimer preferably utilizes a molten metal seal around the agitator shaft.

Abstract: A charge-load support for use in a glow discharge furnace comprises first and second coaxial tubular members joined at one end and capped at the other end to provide a re-entrant entry to the space between the members, the outer member serving to protect the inner member against conductive deposit build-up thereon and the members together defining a relatively long convoluted path from the capping member to the other end thereby serving to reduce the risk of tracking in use of the support.

Abstract: The heater member of a furnace for heating the crucible used for fusing raw materials for a semiconductor single crystal is provided with reinforcing members made of a material such as alumina or pyrolytic boron nitride which excels in electric insulating property, resistance to heat, and strength. When a magnetic field with an alternating current or pulsating current of electricity is applied to the site of single crystal growth for the purpose of stabilizing the growth of the single crystal, the furnace tends to sustain breakage. These reinforcing members thus used on the heater member impart improved durability to the furnace and enable the apparatus as a whole to enjoy a long service life.

Abstract: Apparatus for the continuous making of steel in an electric steelmaking furnace, having a charge material preheater, continuous charging means, and means for removing refined steel without removing the furnace electrodes from operation, wherein charging and tapping are accomplished while maintaining full electric power, and allowing for good control over both product quality and product chemistry.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a workpiece at elevated temperatures both under vacuum and under superatmospheric pressures comprises a vacuum pressure vessel comprising a cylindrical pressure shell having an inner cylindrical sealing face near the upper edge thereof and a cover at one axial end and a bottom plug at the other axial end. Both are arranged to be placed within a reaction frame bearing thereupon. A furnace within the shell has an insulating hood for protecting the shell from the heated workspace. A vacuum manifold is mounted to the top edge of the cylindrical shell and is sealed thereto. The manifold has a cylindrical interior through which the cover passes and an inner cylindrical sealing face at the upper end thereof. Mechanically powered means are provided for raising and lowering the cover and placing it in a first or a second position.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for the continual zonal heating or cooling of perably elongate treatment members within at least one zone extending perpendicular or transverse to the longitudinal axis, which programmatically traverses the treatment member in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A diffusion furnace (11) includes a typical process tube (12) and an outer envelope (26) which forms an annular chamber (37) with the process tube. A heating element (29) of high purity graphite substantially surrounds the process tube within the chamber (37). Inner surfaces of the chamber (37) are made of materials such as, for example, silicon, pyrolytic graphite or quartz. Such materials are essentially free of harmful impurity elements such as iron, nickel, copper calcium or gold, which have an energy level about halfway between the valence and the conduction band of a semiconductor material to be processed within the process tube. A nonoxidizing gas within the heater chamber protects the graphite elements therein from oxidation. A small gas flow within the chamber (37) is preferred to purge such harmful impurity elements as may penetrate into the chamber during the operation of the furnace.