Abstract: The present invention concerns an analytical method that makes use of an oxygen-containing source having a predetermined content of an isotope of oxygen ZO, which is not the same as natural composition and distribution of oxygen isotopes, to detect and/or quantify oxygen in oxidizable compound(s). The analytical method allows detecting and/or quantification with relatively high precision and accuracy oxygen in oxidizable compound(s), even at low content. The method is easy to implement and can be used for in-line analysis.

Abstract: A thermal evaporation sources are described. These thermal evaporation sources include a crucible configured to contain a volume of evaporant and a vapor space above the evaporant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for manufacturing an orthopedic prosthesis by resistance welding a porous metal layer of the orthopedic prosthesis onto an underlying metal substrate of the orthopedic prosthesis. The resistance welding process involves directing an electrical current through the porous layer and the substrate, which dissipates as heat to cause softening and/or melting of the materials, especially along the interface between the porous layer and the substrate. The softened and/or melted materials undergo metallurgical bonding at points of contact between the porous layer and the substrate to fixedly secure the porous layer onto the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrode and a heating element attached to the electrode. A heat sink is between the electrode and the heating element. A mirror is between the heat sink and the heating element. An aperture reflector surrounds the mirror and the heating element.

Abstract: A vacuum oven or vacuum furnace is disclosed having a heat distribution sleeve that conforms to the shape of an interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve may be of generally annular shape, like a ring, and located in a substantially regularly spaced and offset relationship from a heating element located within walls adjacent the interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve includes a thermal conductive material which absorbs and re-radiates heat emitted from the heating element, thereby providing more consistent and regular radiation fields for heating treating a work piece that is loaded on a work holding tray and, upon the vacuum oven being in an operational position, the work piece is located within the furnace chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum oven or vacuum furnace is disclosed having a heat distribution sleeve that conforms to the shape of an interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve may be of generally annular shape, like a ring, and located in a substantially regularly spaced and offset relationship from a heating element located within walls adjacent the interior heating chamber. The heat distribution sleeve includes a thermal conductive material which absorbs and re-radiates heat emitted from the heating element, thereby providing more consistent and regular radiation fields for heating treating a work piece that is loaded on a work holding tray and, upon the vacuum oven being in an operational position, the work piece is located within the furnace chamber.

Abstract: Graphite is produced from powder as a carbon source by means of a graphitization furnace. The graphitization furnace is comprised of: an electrically conductive crucible including a hollow configured to house the powder; an electrode including a columnar shaft and a head provided at an end of the shaft, the head having a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a hemisphere, a column with a rounded edge, a cone, and a cone with a rounded tip; and a power source configured to apply electric current to the powder through the crucible and the electrode.

Abstract: A heat processing furnace comprises: a processing vessel for receiving an object to be processed by a heat process; a cylindrical heat insulation member surrounding the processing vessel; a helical heating resistor arranged along an inner peripheral surface of the heat insulation member; a support member for supporting the heating resistor. The support member includes a base part positioned on an inside of the heating resistor, and a plurality of support pieces extending radially outward from the base part through spaces between adjacent portions of the heating resistor so as to support the heating resistor, the support member being formed to have a comb-like shape. An upper surface part of each of the support pieces is formed to have a curved shape in order to reduce a frictional resistance generated when the heating resistor is moved upon a thermal expansion and a thermal shrinkage thereof.

Abstract: A dropping model electrostatic levitation furnace which puts a charged sample in levitation state by an electric field generated between electrodes and subjects the sample to heat treatment, in which a drop tube evacuatable in vacuum is connected vertically at the lower side of a furnace body to allow the sample to drop through the drop tube with a beam irradiating optical system having a heating laser beam. This brings experimental results which the influence of an electric field and gravity is eliminated sufficiently by means of a furnace having comparatively simple constitution, and also enables to reduce the cost drastically with high experimental environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a radiation apparatus with capability of preventing heat convection, which comprises a blackbody furnace having a cavity therein and an air pressure adjusting unit. The air pressure adjusting unit coupled to the blackbody furnace for adjusting the air pressure of the open end of the cavity according to the temperature difference between the cavity and the outside environment. By means of the design of the present invention, it is capable of preventing heat convection between the cavity and the outside environment by utilizing the air pressure adjusting unit for controlling the air pressure status around the open end of cavity such that the blackbody furnace is stable for services of calibrations and tests.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a porous ceramic heating element wherein 0.08 to 1.00 wt % of a foaming agent is added in 99.00 to 99.92 wt % of a mixture of an inorganic material, a binder, a conductive material, a hardener, a bonding agent and a dispersion medium and mixed with the mixture. The bonding strength of porous foam formed in the ceramic heating element is increased, thereby providing an effect that the entire structure is hardened.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace adapted to cool a load. The vacuum furnace has one or more means for cooling a fluid and a muffle substantially containing the load. The fluid flows in a substantially unidirectional flow substantially within the muffle.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace adapted to cool a load. The vacuum furnace has one or more means for cooling a fluid and a muffle substantially comprised of carbon fiber composite and substantially containing the load. The fluid flows in a substantially unidirectional flow substantially within the muffle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for heat treatment of powdery products (1), in particular powders, characterized in that said products are heated right up to a temperature of at least 700° C. in a passage tube (5) for current, positioned tilted with respect to a horizontal plane (P) and preferably substantially vertically with respect to this plane, said products flowing in said tube essentially by gravity. A device for applying this method is also described.

Abstract: A heating muffle for a muffle kiln for the production of a dental ceramic product containing titanium, which comprises a hollow unit, which is provided with at least one opening for the uptake of the ceramic product and has completely heatable inner walls, an which can form together with a pedestal a firing chamber in which the ceramic product is heated by the inner walls, wherein the hollow unit comprises at least one spirally bent tube containing a heat conductor for a uniform heat transfer to the product and in order to avoid temperature gradients.

Abstract: A thermal cracking process using tubes, pipes, and coils made of. An outermost surface covering not less than 55% of stainless steel, said surface having a thickness from 0.1 to 15 microns and being a spinel of the formula MnxCr3-xO4 wherein x is from 0.5 to 2 is not prone to coking and is suitable for hydrocarbyl reactions such as furnace tubes for cracking.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a portable blackbody furnace comprising a metallic body, a cylindrical cavity with a tapered end in the metallic body, a shielding plate positioned at an open end of the cylindrical cavity, at least a first heaters positioned in the shielding plate, a plurality of second heaters positioned around the metallic body, and a plurality of thermometers positioned in the metallic body. Preferably, the heat capacity of the metallic body is larger than 200 Joules/K, and has radial thickness larger than 5 mm. There are grooves formed on the outer wall of the metallic body, and the second heaters are heating wires embedded inside the grooves. In addition, the flow direction of the current between two adjacent heating wires is opposite to eliminate the magnetic field generated from the current flow.

Abstract: A resistance furnace has a tubular heating element with a vertically-oriented longitudinal axis. The heating element has a shell surface defined by an upper side and a lower side and surrounding a furnace chamber. The heating element is connected to at least two supply terminals by which heating current is introduced at power supply points into the heating element. The supply terminals include a surrounding upper annular collar adjacent the upper side of the shell surface, and also a surrounding lower annular collar adjacent the lower side of the shell surface.

Abstract: An autoclave is provided for heat treatment of a load whose position relative to the autoclave, whose cross-section and/or whose thermal characteristics may vary along the load, e.g. large panels for an airliner. The autoclave comprises a chamber for receiving the load, a wall of said chamber providing one end thereof and a door providing the other end of the chamber and giving access for insertion and removal of the load. Means is provided for heating gas in the chamber, and a plurality of gas circulation means are provided spaced along the length of the autoclave and each producing a zone for circulation of heating gas. Means is provided for independent control of the rate of heat transfer between the heating gas and the load in said zones and said gas circulation means is arranged to produce a pattern of circulation in which heating gas impinges non-axially onto the load.

Abstract: A crucible for melting a silica for fusion of said silica into a desired shape. The crucible having a main body with inner and outer surfaces comprised of a refractory material. In addition, the inner surface adjacent at least a melting zone of the furnace includes a substantially gas-tight barrier layer comprised of a material selected from rhenium, osmium, iridium, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A blackbody furnace, mainly comprising a radiation cavity, a thermally insulating layer, a heater, a housing, a temperature controller, an airflow controller and a high-pressure air source. Besides, a gas channel is provided at the bottom of the radiation cavity to conduct the interior of the furnace chamber with the exterior. In the process of lowering the temperature of the blackbody furnace, the airflow controller could be actuated by the temperature controller or by an operator. Therefore, the room-temperature high-pressure air will enter the radiation cavity through the gas channel to fast cool down the radiation cavity. Finally, heat air will be vented from an opening at the front end of the radiation cavity. The present invention utilizes forced convection to enhance the efficiency of heat dissipation to fast lower the temperature of the blackbody furnace.

Abstract: A mercury retorting apparatus, a retorting system, and a method for continuous removal of mercury from dry, semi-granular, and sludge materials contaminated with mercury without shutting down the system for removal of accumulated liquid mercury, water, and dust particles. The retorting apparatus comprises a powered screw feed assembly having a feed tube with a closely fitting feed screw therein. The screw feed assembly feeds the material from the lower portion of a hopper configured to contain a quantity thereof into a rotatably powered retorting tube in which a vacuum is drawn. The material forms a seal within the powered screw feed assembly against vacuum loss in the retorting tube during operation thereof. A first rotatable seal between the feed tube and retorting tube prevents vacuum loss therebetween. An elongate electric kiln encloses the mid-portion of the retorting tube.

Abstract: An integral structure is formed having a downstream opening portion of the first furnace tube joined with a second cylindrical furnace tube side face. A structure is provided by a light transmissive window provided in the opening portions at respective ends of the second furnace tube, and a gas discharge section provided in at least one position in the second furnace tube side face.

Abstract: An electric furnace and method thereof for electric calcining of carbonaceous material for the production of graphite or graphite-containing material, wherein the carbonaceous material is supplied to the top of a vertically arranged furnace having a cylindrical cross section. The furnace is equipped with one top electrode and one bottom electrode supplied with electric current for heating of the carbonaceous material. The calcined carbonaceous material is discharged at the bottom of the furnace in one stream in the center of the furnace and one stream near the periphery of the furnace.

Abstract: A graphite furnace element, such as a heat shield or heating element, comprises a plurality of bent, rigid, solid and arcuate-shaped graphite sheets that have been joined together, usually by screws or bolts. The bent graphite sheets typically have a wall thickness between 0.05 and 0.5 inch.

Abstract: A kiln, useful for sintering basemetal capacitors comprises an inner zone having vertically oriented gas dispersion conduits for the inlet and radial dispersion of gas and vertically oriented electrical heating elements. Each gas dispersion conduit comprises a porous or perforated inner tube for a porous or perforated outer tube concentrically positioned around the inner tube. The annular space between is filled with a porous refractory medium, such as a bulk ceramic fiber. The temperature of the inner zone is controlled by the electrical heating elements. The gas is evenly heated as it passes radially from the inner tube through the porous refractory medium and then through the outer tube. Surrounding the inner zone is a multiplicity of stacks of substantially horizontally-oriented trays on which the material or articles to be sintered or otherwise treated are placed. The circle of stacks of trays is surrounded by an outer heating zone comprising an outer ring of electrical heating elements.

Abstract: A sheet of high strength graphite material is bent into an arcuate shape, and the bent sheet is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The bent sheet is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The bent sheet can also be further machined and/or further deformed into other shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the activation or reactivation of carbon in a tubular reactor that consists of two or more sequential sections, each section containing a descending column of carbon, with the inlets to introduce steam into any one or more of the sections, wherein the the bottom of each section is provided with a hollow splitter box that is integral with the vertical reactor and and is furnished with interior pairs of alternately sloped perforated steel plates which direct the carbon in opposing patterns of descending motion to promote intermixing and homogenization.

Abstract: There is disclosed an impedance-heated furnace for processing a nonflowable but conveyable material at the processing temperature comprising a nonrotating shell having electrical-conducting properties, and heated to a processing temperature using electrical impedance as the heat source. The shell includes an inlet and an outlet and a conveyor means, which also may be heated by impedance, for transporting or carrying the material along or through the shell. The resulting solids and any generated or volatilized gases are recovered separately.

Abstract: The fiber-drawing furnace includes a graphite tube positioned vertically, heated by induction, and subjected internally to an inert atmosphere, said tube internally defining a fiber-drawing chamber. In the furnace said graphite tube is a double-walled tube having an inner wall and an outer wall, its inner wall is porous and separates the fiber-drawing chamber from a peripheral chamber defined between the walls and subjected to a flow of inert gas which diffuses through said porous wall into said fiber-drawing chamber. Application to drawing down an optical-fiber preform.

Abstract: A method of testing a dry oxidation furnace for leaks which permit the entry of moisture into the oxidizing ambient is described. Such moisture, when present in sufficient concentration, can cause a high degree of boron depletion in silicon at p-type contact interfaces in the manufacture of p-channel MOSFETs. The depleted silicon presents a high resistance component to the contact thereby compromising its performance. A test wafer is subjected to a non-oxidizing ambient in the furnace according to a prescribed procedure. Measurements of the thickness of an oxide layer on the test wafer before and after the procedure indicate the presence of a leak of sufficient proportions to cause a deterioation of contact performance if the oxide grown during the test procedure exceeds between about 25 to 35 Angstroms. The procedure is also useful as a simple means of monitoring an oxidation furnace to provide a record of performance and signal the development of trends which suggest appropriate remedial maintenance.

Abstract: An inter-network call accounting system for use in a communication network such as the public switched telephone network in Britain allows call records to be sorted according to the network operator to be charged in respect of the calls, prior to being priced and charged. A data analyzer incorporating an expert system is provided for call records which cannot be validated. The data analyzer can apply default or amended data, or can output invalid data to a suspended process awaiting updated reference information. Unfixable data is output to a sump for management purposes. A pricing and charging engine processes data already sorted according to billable entity and incorporates further data analysis for dealing with data invalid by reason of pricing and charging related information.

Abstract: A calcination furnace capable of variably setting calcination conditions such as a size of a calcination chamber, a temperature, a temperature distribution and flowing of gas in the calcination chamber; and the like depending on calcined intermediate products. A furnace body in which a furnace chamber is defined includes two movable sections, which are moved in predetermined directions, to thereby vary an internal volume of the furnace chamber as desired.

Abstract: Ultra high purity materials, particularly metallic materials such magnesium and similarly high volatility materials, are produced by a vacuum distillation method and apparatus to increase purity by approximately five hundred times in a single step. For example, magnesium purity, exclusive of zinc content, is increased from 99.95% to greater than 99.9999%. A distillation column is formed of a high purity (less than 10 ppm ash) graphite, and includes a crucible, a vertical condenser in which horizontal high purity graphite baffles are selectively located at a plurality of levels, for example at nine levels. The column is contained in a three-zone resistance furnace that is controlled to heat the crucible to evaporate the material, maintain the condenser immediately above the crucible to above the boiling point of the material, and maintain the portion of the column thereabove at below the boiling point of the material, preferably with the temperature gradually decreasing with the height of the column.

Abstract: A furnace comprises a furnace shell rotatable about a rotational axis. The furnace shell provides a furnace chamber for holding a solid particulate reagent as the furnace shell rotates. At least two electrodes are exposed to the chamber and are mounted in electrically insulated fashion therein. The electrodes are spaced apart so that solid particulate reagent in the furnace chamber can be heated up by direct resistance heating thereof, utilizing the electrodes.

Abstract: In a fluidized bed reactor for preparing a metal nitride by feeding metal powder and a non-oxidizing gas containing N.sub.2 or NH.sub.3 into a reaction tube (1) to form a fluidized bed (2) therein and heating the fluidized bed for nitriding the metal powder, an envelope (11) encloses the reaction tube (1) for preventing the surrounding air from entering the reaction tube. A heater (9) is disposed outside the envelope (11) for heating the fluidized bed (2) to 1,200.degree. C. or higher. The envelope prevents penetration of the surrounding air into the reaction tube and also prevents deterioration of the heater and surrounding components by scattering of metal fines. The reactor ensures safe operation to prepare metal nitride powder of high purity on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A calcination furnace capable of variably setting calcination conditions such as a size of a calcination chamber, a temperature, a temperature distribution and flowing of gas in the calcination chamber; and the like depending on calcined intermediate products. A furnace body in which a furnace chamber is defined includes two movable sections, which are moved in predetermined directions, to thereby vary an internal volume of the furnace chamber as desired.

Abstract: A process and device for melting scrap in a direct current-driven closed shaft furnace. The scrap is fed with an annular cross-section into one end of the furnace and hot gases which flow against the falling scrap are sucked below the scrap feeding area via an outer cylindrical wall of the scrap column. The inner free surface of the ring-shaped flat cross-section of the scrap is reduced before the scrap reaches the melting zone. In the melting zone, the scrap is exposed to an electric arc at the center of the flat cross-section. The arc furnace has a cathode that is held by an electrode bearing device which is formed as a concentric pipe with respect to the central axis of the furnace vessel. At one end the pipe is conically tapered and at the other end it is supported on the shaft of the furnace by bearing arms.

Abstract: A high temperature vacuum heat treating furnace has a hot zone, including heating elements and thermal insulation, which is movable between a heating location at least partly surrounding a load space and a cooling location remote from the load space. A cooling gas plenum around the hot zone in the heating location can eject cooling gas toward a load in the load space after the hot zone is retracted. Cooling rates approximately comparable to a furnace operable at four bar pressure can thereby be obtained in a furnace rated for no more than two bar internal pressure.

Abstract: A high strength graphite material is fabricated into a sheet, the sheet is bent into a tube, and the tube is retained in that shape for use in a high temperature furnace. The retained tube is rigid and can replace prior art machined blocks of lower strength graphite in a furnace. The tube can also be further machined and/or further deformed to achieve more complex shapes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for limiting the passage of a gas such as air through an opening, particularly an opening through which solid material passes, by providing a sealing chamber in advance of the entrance to the low pressure chamber having a large plenum with a variable speed exhaust blower in its upper portion, and a grate situated in its lower portion for access of air to the plenum. The blower speed is responsive to differential pressure measurements taken in the low pressure chamber and immediately adjacent the exterior of the low pressure chamber. Upstream of the plenum are one or more mechanical seals or flexible baffles which contact the top of the solid charge material and ride over it as the solid material passes beneath the mechanical seal.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating an object such as a nuclear target bundle to release and recover hydrogen and contain the disposable residue for disposal. The apparatus comprises an inverted furnace, a sleeve/crucible assembly for holding and enclosing the bundle, conveying equipment for placing the sleeve onto the crucible and loading the bundle into the sleeve/crucible, a lift for raising the enclosed bundle into the furnace, and hydrogen recovery equipment including a trap and strippers, all housed in a containment having negative internal pressure. The crucible/sleeve assembly has an internal volume that is sufficient to enclose and hold the bundle before heating; the crucible's internal volume is sufficient by itself to hold and enclose the bundle's volume after heating. The crucible can then be covered and disposed of; the sleeve, on the other hand, can be reused.

Abstract: 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: An electrically heated vacuum furnace has a plurality of heating elements (13) distributed in an array extending within the furnace. This allows accurate control of the application of radiant heat energy from the elements (13) of the array to articles (10) within the furnace. The elements (13) are preferably disposed spaced apart across the width of the furnace.

Abstract: A thermal decomposition cell for producing a molecular beam from a material gas, includes: a crucible maintained at a given temperature necessary for thermal decomposition of the material gas which is effused in the crucible in a given direction; and a thermal decomposition baffle provided in the crucible and heated to a given temperature necessary for thermal decomposition of the material gas for producing the molecular beam by thermal-decomposing of the material gas such that the material gas is baffled in substantially all directions, the thermal decomposition baffle being made of a given metal to cause the thermal decomposition of the material gas. The thermal decomposition baffle may comprise a fiber or a cloth made of the metal loaded in the crucible.

Abstract: A furnace for cracking of hydrocarbons, comprising one or several tubes through which the hydrocarbons flow during intensive heating and subsequent cracking. The starting material for the process can be e.g. naphtha or propane, mixed with a small amount of steam. When gases flow through the tube or tubes in the furnace, its temperature is increased up to about 850.degree. C. In order to achieve this, the temperature in the furnace compartment is 1100.degree.-1200.degree. C., and the temperature of the gases in the tubes in the furnace can then exceed 1100.degree. C. The tubes are made from an alloy comprising 15-30 weight % chromium, 3-10 weight % aluminum, the remainder of the composition being mainly iron. This alloy allows significant extension of the possible duration of operation without exchange of the tubes. A further improvement can be achieved by the formation on the inner walls of the tubes of a layer of aluminum oxide, obtained by oxidation of the tubes before the furnace is first used.

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: A silicon-on-insulator substrate having a very low threading dislocation density is made by implanting oxygen ions into a silicon substrate while heating the substrate to form a layer of silicon dioxide buried in the silicon substrate and annealing the implanted substrate at high temperature in a novel furnace incorporating a polysilicon tube to constrain the annealing temperature to be uniform over the entire substrate. The silicon-on-insulator substrate is particularly useful for the manufacture of semiconductor devices formed in thin silicon films.

Abstract: A process for refining aluminum using a segregation solidification process under a positive pressure inert gas protecting atmosphere comprising, maintaining the temperature of molten aluminum in the vessel by a plurality of electric heater sections arranged around the periphery of said vessel in vertically superposed relationship to each other, cooling a narrow peripheral portion of the inner surface of said vessel beneath the level of the molten aluminum therein by means of a peripheral cooling section arranged around the periphery of said vessel between adjacent heater sections to crystallize the molten aluminum onto said peripheral portion of the inner surface of said vessel, scraping off the refined and solidified aluminum on said peripheral portion by scraping and tamping means having a cross-sectional configuration complementary to that of the inner surface of said vessel, tamping the heaped aluminum by said scraping and tamping means, and deenergizing some of said heater sections located at positions a

Abstract: The invention relates to improving the degree of graphitization of carbon black produced by subjecting hydrocarbons which are liquid or gaseous under normal conditions to a thermal conversion reaction in the presence of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas and steam, if desired, at temperatures of 1200.degree. to 2000.degree. C. and pressures of 1 to 80 bars. To this end, the carbon black is conveyed downwardly in a quasi-fluid state, within 1 to 5 hours through a sojourn zone in upright position, the sojourn zone being maintained at a temperature of at least 1200.degree. C.