Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to methods of decarbonizing coking ovens, and associated systems and devices. In some embodiments, a method of operating and decarbonizing a coking oven can include inserting a charge of coal into the coking oven and heating the coal. The method can further include removing at least a portion of the charge, leaving behind coking deposits in the coking oven. At least a portion of the deposits can be continuously removed from the coking oven. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the deposits can be removed each time a new charge of coal is inserted in the coking oven.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to an oven for heating fibers. The oven comprises a supply structure disposed within the oven between first and second ends of the oven. The supply structure comprises a plurality of plenums. The plenums are in fluid communication with a heating system. Each of the plenums comprises a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Each of the plenums is configured so that first openings are formed in the respective side walls of that plenum. At least one plenum is configured so that one or more second openings are formed in at least one of the top wall or the bottom wall of at least one plenum. The at least one plenum is configured to supply heated gas from the heating system into the chamber from the first openings and said one or more second openings of the plenum.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving containers into or from a chamber provided with at least a supporting surface for the containers, comprises a pushing element for engaging the containers and a driving arrangement for moving the pushing element through the chamber along a sliding direction, the driving arrangement comprising, a modular rod assembly for supporting the pushing element and including a set of rod elements which can be mutually and removably associated, an assembling arrangement for connecting or disconnecting the rod elements to or from the modular rod assembly so as to change a length thereof and to move the pushing element.

Abstract: A device for pushing the contents of a coke oven chamber includes a pusher ram head with pusher rams mounted there behind, wherein guiding plates or aprons are mounted to a pusher ram head which avoid a simultaneous pressing-in of air into the coke oven chamber, thus preventing a non-desired cooling-off of the coke oven chamber during pushing. The aprons also prevent the pusher ram and the rearward side of the pusher ram head from excessive heat burdens. The aprons can also serve for protecting measuring devices mounted in the enclosure. The aprons can be fabricated from a heat-resistant metallic or ceramic material. The aprons or the pusher ram head can also be provided with a heat-resistant or heat-reflecting coating or with heat-resistant or heat-reflecting tiles. Also shown is a method for pushing of coke oven chambers by applying the inventive device.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber. An assembly for loading the chamber comprises a bar extending across the slot to engage vials to be inserted into the chamber. The bar is attached to a mechanism for moving the bar laterally into and out from the chamber. In a retracted position of the bar, at least part of the mechanism is wound around a sprocket. Rotation of the sprocket unwinds the mechanism to move the bar into the chamber.

Abstract: A freeze dryer comprises a chamber having a rectangular slot through which vials are inserted into the chamber. An assembly for loading and/or unloading the chamber comprises a transfer bar extending across the slot. The bar is pivotally attached at each end to first and second flat springs, each spring being wound on a respective rotatably mounted spool located proximate the slot. Drive means are provided for synchronously rotating the spools to effect movement of the bar into or out from the chamber and for selectively rotating the spools to raise or lower the bar.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a processing system and related methods that include a chamber, a pedestal disposed in the chamber, a shadow ring and a set of alignment and support tabs which receive and directly align a substrate with a shadow ring, substantially independently of the pedestal. In one aspect of the invention, a shadow ring is provided which includes an upper shielding portion and a lower alignment and support member. The alignment and support member preferably includes one or more alignment and support tabs. A set of lift pins are preferably disposed in the chamber that may align the substrate and shadow ring with the pedestal. At least one pedestal recess may be located in the pedestal to receive the alignment and support tabs when the pedestal is in a raised position and in some instances to align the substrate and shadow ring to the pedestal.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a processing system and related methods that include a chamber, a pedestal disposed in the chamber, a shadow ring and a set of alignment and support tabs which receive and directly align a substrate with a shadow ring, substantially independently of the pedestal. In one aspect of the invention, a shadow ring is provided which includes an upper shielding portion and a lower alignment and support member. The alignment and support member preferably includes one or more alignment and support tabs. A set of lift pins are preferably disposed in the chamber that may align the substrate and shadow ring with the pedestal. At least one pedestal recess may be located in the pedestal to receive the alignment and support tabs when the pedestal is in a raised position and in some instances to align the substrate and shadow ring to the pedestal.

Abstract: A method of curing a die attach material for a semiconductor device which includes providing a carrier containing a plurality of stacked leadframe strips, each leadframe strip with a die attach material thereon. One leadframe strip is ejected from the carrier, travels into a chamber and is centered therein. The leadframe strip is then heated and the die attach material is cured selective to the leadframe strip using a tungsten-halogen lamp. Simultaneously volatile products of the cure are exhausted from the chamber. The leadframe strip is then returned to its original position in the carrier, the carrier is elevated so that a different leadframe strip is in position for ejection from the carrier and is ejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating metal logs of a predetermined length in which the logs are cut into billets for an extrusion press. A furnace has an elongated heating chamber with an entrance opening and an exit opening. A pusher table is mounted adjacent the entrance opening of the furnace and a conveyor extends along the pusher table, through the entrance opening of the furnace, through the furnace heating chamber and through the exit opening thereof. A log dispenser is mounted adjacent the pusher table for dispensing logs seriatim onto the conveyor at the pusher table. An insert log has a length substantially less than the given length of the logs in the log train and is selectively positioned in the log train between the pusher and the lagging log in the log train to increase the effective length of the log train prior to adding a new log to the log train.

Abstract: Method and/or system for removing liquid slag from a pressurized gasifier. Hot liquid slag is quenched in a quenching medium such as water. The quenched and solidified slag is crushed to a maximum particle size. The crushed slag and quenching medium are alternatively connected to opposite ends of a floating piston while the other end is connected to an outlet for disposal of the slag. The crushed slag and quenching medium are subjected to the gasifier pressure so that the piston acts to forceably eject the mixture through the outlet.

Abstract: Bar stock is fed to the chuck of a machine tool by a ball chain having a rigid pusher at the end engagable with the bar stock, the ball chain being advanced by a wheel having pockets for the ball chain.

Abstract: In a pass-through sintering furnace for sintering a succession of ceramic tubes fed lengthwise through the furnace and rotated as they pass through the furnace, the tubes, when heated in the furnace, are kept apart by pushing each tube into the furnace at one end and pulling it out from the other end. The pulling speed is less than the pushing speed to ensure uniform firing throughout the length of the tube, allowing for shrinkage as the tube is fired, but is sufficient to hold the pulled tube clear of the next following tube so as to obviate any pushing against the end of a hot tube.

Abstract: A continuous gasification furnace and method of operation. The charge is fed into the furnace chamber between two rolls at least one of which is driven. The furnace chamber can be sealed from the ambient atmosphere. The bed of the furnace contains three zones from top to bottom, these zones are; a volatilization zone, a char reaction zone and an ash zone. Additionally, there can be a drying zone above the volatilization zone. Fuel, air, and steam enter the lower portion of the furnace through strategically located inlet ports. Fuel is used to start up the burning bed while carefully controlled steam to air ratio is used during continuous operation of the furnace. Simultaneously controlled steam cooling effects and exothermic reactions occur in the char reaction zone whereby all or controlled amounts of the oxygen is consumed so that pyrolysis can occur in the volatilization zone without the danger of combustion in that zone or combustion of the fumes leaving the bed.

Abstract: The present pressure rod for a coke discharge apparatus is constructed of hollow sectional components or tubular members interconnected with one another, whereby a lightweight structure is achieved. The hollow sectional components or tubular members are interconnected in such a manner that a coolant may flow through the structure of the pressure rod. Flexible coolant supply conduits for the inflow and outflow of coolant are connected to the hollow sectional components of the pressure rod.

Abstract: An immersion plate fastened to the ash funnel of a steam generator combustion chamber and protruding into the water surface of a trough of a wet-ash remover filled with quenching water and located underneath the ash funnel. Carriers pass transversely through the immersion piece and are suspended by screws from the tubing of the funnel; a seal which is deformable in the direction of action of the screws is located between the immersion piece and the ash funnel. The cooled carriers may consist of two U-profiles welded together and the carrier ends outside the immersion pieces may be open. A U-shaped profile with the opening upwards is mounted on part of the carrier lying within the immersion piece. The sidewalls of the immersion piece may consist of several plate sections and each plate section has, at one edge, a slot for the edge of the adjacent plate, with play in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a horizontal coke oven battery with at least one coke receiving device movable along one longitudinal side of the battery and at least one coke driving device movable along an opposite longitudinal side of the battery, an apparatus for determining the relative position of the coke receiving device with respect to the coke driving device and for activating the coke driving device when its position corresponds with that of the coke receiving device, comprising, a first wheel mounted on the coke receiving device for rotation with the movement of the coke receiving device, a first angle encoder connected to the first wheel for producing a first signal corresponding to the location of the first wheel and the position of the coke receiving device along the coke oven, and an input storage in the form of a magnetic disc connected to the first angle encoder for recording and storing the signal.

Abstract: A device for automatically detaching and/or loosening coke within a coke oven chamber, particularly such a chamber of the type having an inclined or obliquely extending floor, includes a track support adapted to be mounted at a position confronting the coke removal opening of the coke oven chamber. An elongated poking bar is supported by the track support and has at a first end thereof a stoking or broaching head for abutting or scraping coke within the chamber. A trolley is mounted on the track support for movement therealong, and the poking bar is pivoted to the trolley. A reversibly operable cable drive moves the trolley and thus the poking bar along the track support from an initial position whereat the poking bar is positioned outside of the chamber to an operative position wherein the broaching head of the poking bar is inserted into the chamber to abut against coke therein.