Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically heatable packed pressure-bearing apparatus for conducting endothermic reactions having an upper (3), middle (1) and lower (3) apparatus section, where at least one pair of electrodes (4, 5) in a vertical arrangement is installed in the middle section (1) and all electrodes are disposed in an electrically conductive solid-state packing (26), the upper and lower apparatus sections have a specific conductivity of 105 S/m to 108 S/m, and the middle apparatus section is electrically insulated against the solid-state packing, wherein the upper and lower apparatus sections are electrically insulated from the middle apparatus section, the upper electrode is connected via the upper apparatus section and the lower electrodes via the lower apparatus section or the electrodes are each connected via one or more connecting elements (10, 16) that are in electrical contact with these sections and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the upper and lower electrode to the cr

Abstract: A water treatment system includes an adsorption column including granular activated carbon (GAC) that adsorbs contaminants from untreated water onto the GAC, thereby producing treated water, a first electrode disposed at a proximal side of the adsorption column, with a gap between the first electrode and the GAC, a second electrode disposed at a distal side of the adsorption column, a drain outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for draining water out of the adsorption column, a gas inlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for injecting a displacement gas into the adsorption column, a high voltage power supply electrically connected to one of the first electrode and the second electrode for generating a plasma discharge within the GAC, thereby regenerating the GAC within the adsorption column, and a gas outlet in fluid communication with the adsorption column for venting waste gas produced by the plasma discharge.

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 method rebakes and graphitizes pitch-impregnated carbon bodies in an encapsulated Castner-type lengthwise graphitization furnace in one step. A furnace shell is constructed of element modules and can carry out the method. A furnace utilizes the furnace shell. The oxygen content in the interior of the furnace is kept below 4% by volume. The method is carried out under atmospheric pressure or at pressures that differ only slightly from the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A carbon powder inlet and a graphite powder collecting are oppositely arrange on a furnace body. At least a pair of electrodes are oppositely arranged in the furnace body with respect to a graphitizing area at an intermediate position between the inlet and the collecting port and are engaged with different timing.

Abstract: An apparatus for the activation or reactivation of a descending column of carbon in a tubular reactor that consists of two or more sequential sections, each section provided with an steam inlet, a graphite block positioned at its top, means to effect homogenization of the carbon granules, and a separate and independently controlled electric circuit, wherein the descending carbon in each section is channeled to a diameter that is about half of the diameter of the main portion of the vertical tubular reactor, the slope of the constricting channel being about 45.degree., the lower electrical terminal of the electric circuit serving said section being positioned above or at the upper portion of the homogenizing device.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the production and reactivation of activated carbon comprising the passing of a substrate through one or more zones defined by electrodes. Electrical energy passing through the bed of substrate creates heat that supports the devolatilization and activation of the substrate. Steam, carbon dioxide, or an alternative gas can be used to support the activation process, while other zones can be filled with inert gas such as nitrogen to promote pyrolysis reactions. Preferably, these gases pass through the bed in a co-current downward flow with the carbon to prevent fluidization and arcing within the bed.

Abstract: A heating apparatus for an enclosure including at least a ceiling and a side wall, the apparatus includes a plurality of electrical resistance heating wires or sections of electrical resistance heating wire, and support means therefor. The support means include support members each having a first part adapted to be secured relative to the ceiling or side wall and a second part which projects inwardly of the enclosure, the second part including a plurality of spaced apart heating wire support formations. The support members and the heating wire support formations are arranged such that in use substantial portions of the length of each of the plurality of the heating wires or sections of heating wire, are supported side by side by the support members each parallel to or generally parallel to each other and to the ceiling or side wall of the enclosure.

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: A furnace for pre-heating carbon bodies prior to pitch impregnation utilizing electrical current flow through the body along its longitudinal axis. The furnace is an apparatus which includes a structural steel framework with roller assemblies to support a carbon body. Electrical contacts and pressing assemblies are provided for establishing pressing forces on the carbon body and the apparatus is configured so that a carbon body can be received on the roller assemblies and contacted by the electrical contact means by adjustment of the pressing assemblies.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus and method for the lengthwise graphitization (LWG) of carbon bodies are provided which utilize U-shaped metal furnace sections mounted on stationary rib supports to contain carbon electrode bodies and surrounding thermally insulating pack material. Vertical flues are provided between parallel rows of U-shaped metal furnace sections to accelerate cooling of graphitized electrode bodies and in a further embodiment water droplets are additionally sprayed on the metal furnace sections.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying moist or wet carbon particles in a series of tubular drying sections by electrical resistance heating where the current is introduced into the column of carbon particles through a graphite block positioned at the center of the top of the column and suspended above the top of the column by attachment to a steel plate that includes a flat or a V-shaped shelf and that is provided with openings to allow the moisture to escape in the form of steam, and wherein the section consisting of graphite block, carbon column, and steel plate may provide entry of the carbon into a second or into a sequential plurality of similar sections provided with similar graphite blocks similarly positioned.

Abstract: A direct resistance heating electrical furnace of the type in which a bed of electrically conductive elements are located between two spaced electrodes in the furnace, and a method of controlling the operation of same, are provided. The furnace is of the type having a generally tubular heating chamber with a pair of spaced electrodes associated therewith and conveniently located one at each end of the tubular heating chamber. The furnace has feed or discharge control means and the rate of feed or discharge is controlled according to the electrical resistance or current flow between the electrodes. No temperature measurement is required to control the furnace operation.

Abstract: A lengthwise graphitization furnace for the conversion of a string of amorphous carbon bodies to graphite has an open semi-cylindrical shell of corrugated steel modules lined with cast refractory. The combination of the corrugated shell and cast refractory liner contributes to faster heat transfer by both convection and radiation, and to greater mechanical and thermal stability. The furnace is designed in modules allowing for easy replacement of worn components.

Abstract: Carbon bodies to be graphitized are clamped together in a horizontal train, n which adjacent end faces of said bodies adjoin each other, and are heated by a flow of electric current in a graphitizing zone and subsequently cooled in a cooling zone. Individual carbon bodies are added to the train at the entrance of the graphitizing furnace and individual carbon bodies which have been graphitized are removed from the train at the exit of the furnace. To ensure that the train will desirably be held to be self-supporting, adjacent carbon bodies are interconnected at adjoining end faces by axial plugs.

Abstract: A silicon carbide whisker production apparatus manufactured by placing a plurality of lidded reaction vessels in the longitudinal direction of an Acheson furnace at intervals, packing graphite grains in the gaps between the adjacent reaction vessels and around the reaction vessels along the longitudinal direction of the furnace starting with the furnace-side ends of terminal electrodes to form a surrounding heating zone, and packing a heat insulating packing around the surrounding heating zone.

Abstract: Carbon bodies to be graphitized are clamped together in a horizontal train, n which adjacent end faces of said bodies adjoin each other, and are heated by a flow of electric current in a graphitizing zone and subsequently cooled in a cooling zone. Individual carbon bodies are added to the train at the entrance of the graphitizing furnace and individual carbon bodies which have been graphitized are removed from the train at the exit of the furnace. To ensure a desirable handling of the train in the furnace, the train being moved through the graphitizing furnace is moved at least in a portion of the cooling zone through a bed of carbonaceous bulk material and outside said bed of bulk material is moved in said furnace through a protective gas atmosphere and the train is held to be self-supporting at least in the graphitizing zone between the furnace electrodes.

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: The present invention relates to a method and a means for continuous production of elongated carbon bodies having a constant or substantially constant cross-section where a casing filled with unbaked paste consisting of carbon and a carbon containing binder is continuously baked to a solid carbon body by heating by means of direct electric current. The first terminal of the direct current source is being slidably connected to the casing through a plurality of vertical ribs extending radially outwards from the casing, said ribs being made from a current conducting material, and the second terminal of the direct current source being connected to the baked part of the carbon body or to a bottom contact in a smelting furnace in which the carbon body is consumed. The casing containing the carbon containing paste is continuously or substantially continuously moved in axial direction by means of slipping- and holding means.

Abstract: For use in the graphiting of carbon bodies, a graphiting furnace is proposed, which contains inert gas and in which carbon bodies forced together to form a train are fed in feeding steps. The train is axially gripped to set up therein an axial compressive stress which is sufficient to render the train self-supporting. That axial compressive stress is also maintained while a graphited carbon body is removed from the train and a carbon body to be graphited is added to the train between consecutive feeding steps.

Abstract: A moveable graphitizing furnace to graphitize several columns of electrodes at the same time in two side by side tanks. The furnace has a metallic cage construction and a covering of firebricks arranged at sight on said cage construction and self-compensating the thermic expansion and the thrust exerted from outside on each column of electrodes to be graphitized. The furnace is further provided with screens protecting the framework and the wheels from heat, air forced cooling system to cool the bottom of the tanks, as well as water circulation cooling system to cool the bus bar electrodes also during the movement of the furnace after the graphitizing process.

Abstract: A furnace for treating granular activated carbon comprises a single vertical column having a pair of electrodes arranged at vertically spaced locations within the column. The electrodes extend across the column and are so constructed that the particulate material can pass with ease through the electrodes. Suitable connectors connect the electrodes to a source of rectified three phase electric power. Pointed prongs are provided below the upper electrode. A valve controls the outlet from the column so that the furnace can operate continuously. A central cone is provided above the outlet to control the flow of granular carbon down the column.

Abstract: A method of calcining carbonaceous bodies, in particular electrodes such as those employed in the production of aluminum or steel, in either continuous or intermittent furnaces with the use of containment structures whereinto carbonaceous bodies to be calcined are placed and then covered at least laterally with a carbonaceous powder, is characterized in that the structure walls are caused to collapse from the sides outwards on the occurrence of the expansion whereto the carbonaceous bodies are subjected during calcination.The containment structure which affords implementation of the method comprises a base frame, refractory supports placed on said frame and carrying refractory plates forming the loading platform, and a sideway complying edge formation on expansion of the carbonaceous bodies.

Abstract: Furnace head for heavy-current resistance furnaces of refractory masonry and at least one cooled electrode inserted into the masonry. Cooling devices extending over the entire length of the electrode are inserted into the latter and the temperature of the electrode can be set by controlling the cooling to the temperature of the masonry.

Abstract: The method of the invention concerns continuous graphitization of long pre-cooked carbon-containing products.It comprises displacing the carbon-containing products in a column, along a horizontal axis of passage, inside a furnace where the packing is a fragmented carbon-containing material which is not displaced within the furnace. The column is put under stress by rams and is heated by the Joule effect.The method can be applied particularly to the production of graphite electrodes for arc furnaces in steel works.

Abstract: Port for a longitudinal or Castner-type graphitizing furnace, the masonry of which consists of a bottom section, lateral blocks and a yoke. The electrode rests on the bottom section and is pressed by the superimposed yoke against the bottom section. The lateral blocks are clamped to the electrode. Horizontal or vertical gaps cannot develop between the electrode and the masonry of the port in the operation of the graphitizing furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous production of metals and/or carbides by thermal reduction is described. In the process, a mixture of metal oxide and carbon is agglomerated, each piece of agglomerate encased in carbon and/or graphite, the carbon casing serves as a housing of the agglomerate during the reducing reaction and as an electrical resistance element for heating of the agglomerate, the encased agglomerates are coked and reduced to metal carbide in a tightly-packed form. Extraction of the metal from the carbide is effected with a halide of the same metal.

Abstract: In an electrode arrangement utilized for heating electric crucibles in glass melting processes, each electrode consists of several spaced electrode plates arranged in parallel and attached to connecting elements. The connecting elements of two neighboring electrodes are disposed in parallel to one another, and the electrode plates of each electrode are staggered with respect to those of the adjacent electrode by half the plate spacing. By using this arrangement, the electrode plates project into the space between the neighboring electrode plates. Consequently, a larger heat output per unit volume of glass melt is achieved without endangering the integrity of the refractory material of which the crucible is made.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically heating conductive bulk materials by resistance Joule effect heating includes end and side walls defining an oven chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of pairs of generally planar electrode plates are angularly mounted with respect to the opposed end walls of the chamber and are electrically disconnected from one another. The electrode plates mounted to each end wall are disposed at the same angle and are arranged such that the upper edge of each electrode plate is at a different distance from the end wall than the lower edge of the plate, so that the planes of the plurality of electrode plates mounted to each end wall are substantially parallel and vertically displaced from each other. The electrical supply for each pair of electrodes plates is electrically isolated from that of each other pair. The amount of energy supplied to each pair of electrode plates is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing high purity silicon melts utilizes a solid silicon body which is drilled to provide bores into which electrodes are inserted. The electrodes preferably are also of silicon and an electric arc-current is passed through the electrodes to generate an arc which melts out the body to define a cavity therein containing the melt. The melt may be used for the drawing of a silicon bar or for the deposition of silicon in vapor form from the melt upon a substrate in a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus 12 is specially adapted to conserve time, energy, labor and enhance safety when loading a column 10 of cylindrical carbon electrodes or carbon bodies of uniform cross section in end-abutting relationship into a lengthwise graphitization furnace 20.After aligning a column of electrodes 10 on a stock aligning conveyor, a rigid truss 12 is fitted with chain slings 16, actuator mechanisms 14 and positioning jigs 59 holding the column 10 in precise axial alignment. Support or gooseneck structure 54 rests on the furnace structure and may be adjusted to center the column 10 vertically by shims 64 with respect to the head electrodes 22 of the furnace.

Abstract: Electrical resistance furnace and manufacturing plant for the preparation of silicon carbide utilizing a resistance core of carbon horizontally inserted within the load and having a broken ring configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for regenerating activated carbon comprises a desorption tank having at its bottom an elongate channel-form passage sloping downwardly from an inlet end to an outlet end. A pulse voltage is applied to electrodes extending along the passage to regenerate the activated carbon as it flows from the inlet to the outlet. Flow of the activated carbon is intercepted by transverse weirs provided at spaced intervals along the length of the passage. An oscillatory swinging motion imparted to the tank by eccentrics on a rotating shaft promotes flow of the activated carbon along the passage from the inlet to the outlet and in particular causes carbon particles which have become lighter by virtue of regeneration to pass preferentially over the weirs and thereby progress more rapidly toward the outlet.

Abstract: Amorphous carbon bodies forming a lengthwise series horizontal string or column 26 are converted to graphite by the Joule effect in a semi-cylindrical metal shell 20 with a refractory lining 22 and containing particulate thermal insulation medium 28. When the conversion to graphite is complete the insulation medium is dumped through the bottom of the metal shell into a hopper 50 and transferred for re-use while hot. Air pollution control is facilitated and energy and capital costs are lowered by specialization of equipment, retention of sensible heat and shorter cycle times, allowing operation with less equipment and higher production rates.

Abstract: An electric furnace for fusing of fusible metal/non-metal oxide compounds, for example slag, having a side wall of steel, a plurality of electrodes depending into the furnace, a coolant distributing conduit surrounding the furnace near its upper end, and a tapping valve located in the side wall of the furnace between its upper and lower ends, the furnace being operated by melting the slag to form a melt, the outer layer of which is in contact with the inner surface of the furnace side wall which is frozen by the chilled coolant flowing over the outer surface thereof, to thereby form a frozen slag lining on the side wall inner surface which is continuously replenished as it is depleted.

Abstract: An electric installation for heating molten metals and/or salts, as well as for heating solutions with direct heating of the baths by means of resistance heating elements partly dipped in the bath being heated.The heat necessary for heating the charge is generated in a heating element partly immersed in the bath being heated, in contact materials being in contact with the heating elements as well as in the bath being heated. Electric potential difference is applied by the electrodes and current supply means to the contact materials in contact with a first surface of the heating element and to the bath being heated which is in contact with a second surface of the heating element, the contact materials being included in the electric circuit of the heating element.

Abstract: In the fusion of vanadium pentoxide powder heat is generated in a melt of the powder by passing an electrical current along a current path in the melt and additional vanadium pentoxide powder is fed onto the surface of the melt. A furnace is used which has an overflow weir.