Abstract: In various embodiments, refractory-metal glass melt electrodes are single-crystalline, at least within an outer layer thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective antioxidative barrier on the furnace electrodes using a chemically altered cooling liquid containing an antioxidant additive. This method can be applied to electrodes used in electric arc furnaces and ladle metallurgy furnaces. The method can involve spraying the cooling liquid onto the electrode, thereby forming the protective antioxidative barrier and reducing the oxidation of the electrode.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrode has a shaft extending from an electrode head and a cooling passage extending from an open end disposed at an attachment end of the shaft to a closed end disposed within the electrode head. The electrode head has an approximately teardrop shape with a smoothly rounded outer contour.

Abstract: A method of making an electrode assembly for a furnace includes providing a heating element within the furnace. The method further includes providing a power feedthrough having an end portion that extends into the furnace to couple with the heating element. The power feedthrough includes a conductive member for transmitting electricity to the heating element. The method includes cleaning an exterior surface of the conductive member proximate the end portion of the power feedthrough. The method further includes a step of applying an electroless nickel plating to the exterior surface of the conductive member for preventing corrosion of the conductive member within the furnace. The method also includes connecting the end portion of the power feedthrough to the heating element.

Abstract: An electrode comprises a shaft extending from an electrode head. A cooling passage extends from an open end disposed at an attachment end of the shaft to a closed end, which is disposed within the electrode head. The electrode head is formed to have approximately a teardrop shape, which may be formed according to a radial profile rotated about a centerline of the shaft, where the radial profile has a center disposed within the electrode head and on the centerline. The radial profile may exhibit a single maximum within a middle portion of the radial profile. Alternatively, or in addition, the middle portion of the radial profile may be negatively curved.

Abstract: The use of blocks (1, 2, 3, 4) based on sintered tin oxide for producing the throat of a glass furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the melting or purifying of inorganic substances, in particular of glass, which comprises a number of metal tubes which may be attached to a cooling medium and which are arranged next to each other, in such a way that together they form a container, a high frequency coil for the injection of energy into the container contents and a plastic coating for the metal tubes, the decomposition temperature of which lies below the temperature of the melt. The cooling system is configured and arranged, such that the temperature of the boundary layer of the melt, immediately surrounding the component, lies beneath that of the decomposition temperature of the coating material.

Abstract: In a glass melter, a precious metal insert is used to protect a gas bubbler from corrosion at the orifice of the bubbler through which gas is injected into the melt. The use of a precious refractory metal insert at the bubbler orifice prevents the attack of molten glass on the bubbler. The precious metal is chosen from the refractory group of metals and the platinum group of metals. Preferably the precious metal from the platinum group is platinum or one of its alloys or one of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium and iridium. The precious metal from the refractory group is preferably chromium.

Abstract: Device to cool and protect a cathode in an electric arc furnace, wherein the cathode comprises at least a consumable column, a structure, hollow on the inside and containing a cooling liquid, arranged around the column and provided with a first lower chamber in which a liquid is suitable to evaporate and a second upper chamber in which the condensation of steam is suitable to occur, at least two vertical conduits being provided to connect the two chambers.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for glass tank furnaces comprises a rod electrode inserted in a cylindrical electrode holder, through which it can be advanced. Along at least part of its length the said electrode holder is fitted with a device for forced cooling and is installed in an electrode block in the furnace. In order to dispense with and in order to operate the electrode holder at a constant temperature the holder is inserted with the bottom face below a filling level determined by the design of the furnace, and provided with a seal between it and the electrode above the filling level. Preferably the electrode holder has an outer tube and an inner tube, which create an annular gap between them for a cooling medium, whereby the inner tube protrudes out of the upper end of the outer tube and a sealing unit is provided between the inner tube and the electrode.

Abstract: A support for a melting electrode used in a glass melting bath. The support includes concentric tubes which provide for the circulation of a cooling fluid within the support. A current is provided through the outer tube to the electrode. The surface of the outer tube is electrically insulated and may be protected by a second cooling system outside the electrical insulation.

Abstract: A glass melter having a lid electrode for heating the glass melt radiantly. The electrode comprises a series of INCONEL 690 tubes running above the melt across the melter interior and through the melter walls and having nickel cores inside the tubes beginning where the tubes leave the melter interior and nickel connectors to connect the tubes electrically in series. An applied voltage causes the tubes to generate heat of electrical resistance for melting frit injected onto the melt. The cores limit heat generated as the current passes through the walls of the melter. Nickel bus connection to the electrical power supply minimizes heat transfer away from the melter that would occur if standard copper or water-cooled copper connections were used between the supply and the INCONEL 690 heating tubes.

Abstract: An improved sulfider is provided for receiving high temperature catalysts from a hydrocarbon cracking operation and subjecting the catalyst to a sulfur-containing gas. The treating unit includes an outer metal housing and first refractory layer within the metal housing for minimizing heat loss from the treatment unit. A second refractory layer is provided within the first refractory layer and defines an interior chamber within the treatment unit, and a plurality of heating units are spaced circumferentially along the interface of the first and second refractory layers. The heating units substantially minimize the temperature differential across the second refractory layer and thereby minimize the heat loss from the high temperature catalyst within the chamber. The catalyst is continually passed into and out from the chamber, and the sulfur-containing gas is injected into a lower portion of the chamber to pass through the high temperature bed formed by the catalyst.

Abstract: In a melting furnace (1), toxic, volatile chemical compounds from introduced filter dust from industrial incineration units are vaporized at about 1300.degree. C. and forced to leave the reaction space. The non-vaporizing residue forms a glassy melt which is discharged continuously or intermittently from the reaction space. Heating of the melt and of the filter dust is affected by resistance heaters in protective ceramic sheaths (4) above the melt (2). In order to prevent corrosion of the resistance heater protection sheaths (4) by exit gases (7) especially in the flow lee thereof, the exit gases are forced, by partitions (10) and an exit gas extraction pipe (9) with an inlet orifice (16) at a low level, to flow below the resistance heater protection sheaths (4) to an exit gas outlet (5).

Abstract: The metallurgical vessel, such as a direct-current arc furnace, comprises a metal housing (1) lined on its inside with refractory material (2), at least one electrode (3) passing through the bottom of the vessel and connected to a terminal of an electrical power supply, the electrode being fastened to the metal housing by a mechanical fastening arrangement and insulated electrically from the housing. A leaktight wall (20) surrounding the fastening zone of the electrode prevents a liquid flowing over the inner surface of the housing from coming into contact with the electrode fastening arrangement, and orifices (26) are provided for discharging the liquid collected out of the housing. The invention is particularly applicable to direct-current arc furnaces and prevents the molten lead originating from the scrap metal of the charge and infiltrating through the refractory from damaging the electrical insulation of the fastening of the electrode.

Abstract: The service life of a bottom electrode for a direct current arc furnace for producing steel is prolonged by using ZrB.sub.2 type sintered bodies for a contacting pins which constitutes a major part of the bottom electrode wherein the ZrB.sub.2 type sintered bodies have a corrosion-resistance to molten steel and slag. Further, the number of contacting pins to be used is reduced by forming each of the pins into a form of pillar with a through hole at the axis, or by assembling a plurality of longitudinally divided pin portions to form a contacting pin, whereby the diameter of the contacting pin can be made large. Then the space between contacting pins is made broad, and brick having good corrosion-resistance are filled in the space so that the service life of the bottom electrode is brought closer to that of the refractory lining of the direct current arc furnace.

Abstract: A sealed connection for a sleeve and jacket for protecting a molybdenum electrode mounted through the wall of an electric glass furnace. Around the electrode in the wall is a stainless steel sleeve coated on the inside with a fused alumina and having an outwardly extending flange at its outer end which engages the outer wall or shoulder in the aperture in the wall through which the electrode extends. The flange has an axially outwardly extending rib of V-shaped radial cross-section which seats and centers in an annular V-shaped groove around the inner end of a water jacket that surrounds the electrode outside the furnace. Refractory sealing gaskets are placed between the flange and the wall of the furnace and in the cooperating grooves and ribs of the sleeve and water jacket. The sealed cylindrical annular space around the electrode between it and the sleeve and the jacket is filled with nitrogen to prevent oxidation of the molybdenum electrode.

Abstract: The electric connection device comprises an electrode (5), a sleeve (19) mounted around a projecting end part (8) of the electrode (5), and an arrangement for cooling the sleeve (19) with a cooling fluid comprising at least one system (20, 20') of nozzles (21) spraying cooling fluid onto the outer surface of the sleeve (19).

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an elecrode purge sleeve assembly for high temperature oxidizable electrodes used in electrical heating of molten material and more particularly a purge sleeve for glass melting furnaces wherein a standard size tube of high temperature material slightly larger in its interior dimension than the exterior of the electrode extends over the portion of the length of the electrode subject to degradation and is sealed thereto as well as being supported thereby, the sleeve being arranged to receive an inert gas under low pressure to prevent seepage of atmospheric gases to the portion of the electrode being protected.

Abstract: Glass-melting electrodes and other devices may be protected from degradation by oxygen above an oxidation temperature thereof by immersion into the glass. After a sufficient time has elapsed for the glass to adhere to the electrode or device, it is withdrawn to a selected operating depth. The adhered glass becomes partially solidified and forms a protective shield along the electrode. Other precoating measures are described.