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 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: 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: A reverberatory furnace for melting aluminum or other metals which includes a preheater (12) which utilizes exhaust flue gasses from the furnace (10) to preheat the metal before it enters the furnace. A set of horizontal flue ducts (18, 20, 22) conduct the flue gasses to a preheater chamber (26) where they heat the metal. An air entrance port (50) is provided in the preheater chamber (26) to allow secondary combustion of the volatile flue gasses for additional efficiency.

Abstract: An optical fiber drawing furnace includes a graphite element of generally cylindrical shape with a reduced central cross-sectional configuration having a flange at opposite ends thereof and having an axial hole therethrough including a central internal element chamber for receiving a glass preform, means for water cooling the flanges, and means for applying electric power across the flanges to resistively heat the reduced cross-sectional configuration and, hence, the central internal element chamber so that an optical fiber can be drawn from the preform. The invention relates to prolonging the useful life of the graphite element by suitable methods and apparatus. The water used for cooling the flanges can be regulated to a temperature such as to avoid condensation of atmospheric moisture within the room (in which the furnace is located) upon the furnace. The application of electric power across the flanges can be increased and decreased at a gradual rate so as to avoid thermal shock to the graphite element.