Abstract: A melt is stored in a vessel. A lower half of a degassing member is immersed in the melt. The degassing member has a cylindrical form with the lower end closed, and the lower half section is made of a porous material which is permeable to gas and impermeable to melts as molten metal, molten slag, or molten matte. This lower half section is a partitioning member. When an internal space inside the degassing member is sucked to realize vacuum or reduced pressure atmosphere, gas producing components in the melt pass through the partition member of the degassing member, and are exhausted to inside the degassing member, thus being separated from the melt. Also, by making the degassing member rotate or move in a horizontal or vertical direction, the melt is stirred. With these features, gas-producing components in the melt can be removed at a high efficiency.

Abstract: A melt is stored in a vessel placed in a decompression vessel. On the bottom of the vessel is arranged a bubble generator made of porous bricks, and bubbles of argon gas are introduced into the melt through this bubble generator. Also a lower half section of a degassing member is immersed in the melt. This degassing member has a cylindrical form with the lower end closed and the section immersed in the melt is made of a porous material permeable to gases and impermeable to melts.With these features, a surface of molten metal can be put under reduced pressure and high content components of the melt can be removed by means of bubbling, and also solute components in the melt can be removed into bubbles of argon gas. Also, gases in the melt and gases produced by reactions between the melt and the porous material can be sucked through a wall of the degassing member into inside thereof and removed.

Abstract: A catalytic chemical reactor of a sandwiched configuration is described. The reactor has at least one plate with a major surface and two minor ends opposite one another across the major surface. A plurality of reaction chambers are present in the plate, parallel to one another and the major surface, extending from one of the minor ends to the other. The reactor additionally comprises at least one heating panel adjacent and parallel to the flat plate. The plates may be configured in modular pairs with a heating panel in between each pair. The reactor is particularly adapted to produce organic chemicals, such as acrolein, in significant, but moderate quantities. Additionally, the reactor is of such a size that it is readily portable. Unusually, the reactor plates, or at least their inner surfaces, may be made from materials such as aluminum, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, niobium and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a waste solution which contains a nonvolatile substance such as a toner used for development of an electrophotographic film and a liquid which is difficult to volatilize at normal temperatures such as isoparaffin. The waste solution heated from below a multiplicity of vertically elongated guide chambers disposed in a waste solution container rises upward through the guide chambers in the form of vapor and is oxidized by a catalyst. After ignition, even if the heating of the waste solution by a heater is stopped, the waste solution in the waste solution container continues to be heated by oxidation heat.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for the thermal conversion of methane to hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight, comprising an elongated reactor 1 provided with an inlet 5 for supplying a gas mixture containing methane (process gas) and an outlet at the opposite end, the reactor over a first part towards the inlet end having a plurality of electric heaters 3 surrounded by sheaths 4. The heaters, e.g., electric resistors, which are spaced apart and are substantially parallel with respect to one another, are arranged in substantially parallel rows perpendicular to the axis of the reactor so as to permit circulation of the process gas and/or effluent between the sheaths and/or between the sheaths and walls 22 separating two consecutive rows. The heaters heat the passages by successive independent cross sections substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reaction. Towards the outlet end, the reactor further comprises an injector for supplying cooling fluid, which cools the effluent.

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 catalytic air cleaner purifies air in enclosed spaces, such as in an aircraft or spacecraft. The air cleaner includes a pair of metal strips, wound into a double spiral. The strips have projections, affixed to the strips, to maintain the spacing between turns of the spiral. The spiral defines a core which accommodates an electrically heated catalytic converter. The strips themselves have no catalyst coating. A pair of ports at the periphery of the spiral allows air to enter and leave the spiral through inlet and outlet channels. Air entering the spiral through the inlet channel receives heat, by heat exchange, from air leaving the spiral, and then enters the core, where the electrically heated catalytic converter burns off various impurities. The air then leaves the spiral through the outlet channel, and becomes cooled by transferring its heat to the incoming air.

Abstract: High-yield preparation of high-purity metallic silicon at is performed by subjecting a stream of oxides of silicon (e.g. in an aerosol) to reaction heat in the presence of a mixture of a material of the group including silicon carbide and silicon dioxide; and a material of the group including carbon and carbon-containing substance. Preferably, silicon oxide produced by the reaction is scavenged from exhaust gas leaving the reaction chamber, re-condensed, and returned to the reaction chamber.

Abstract: To prepare a flow of gas at a high temperature of operation, a flow of gas which has previously been heated to a temperature much lower than the operating temperature is divided into two elementary flows, which are thereafter individually heated at higher temperatures, one of which is higher than the operating temperature and the other being lower than the operating temperature. The two flows thus differently heated are each sent to a buffer container which is heat insulated and two elementary gas flows are withdrawn from the containers and are thereafter combined in regulated proportion by means of a mixing valve adjusted at a control mixing position by means of a correcting signal which differentiates between the effective temperature of the gas prepared and a control temperature. Application for example to the manufacture of articles made of expanded foam material utilizing carbon dioxide.

Abstract: There is provided an improved reinforced corrugated thin stainless steel strip in which either or both of the longitudinal edges are overfolded to increase the thickness and stiffness of the foil to better resist the tendency to failure in a severe hot-shake screening test. There is also provided a core and an electrically heatable catalytic converter containing the core for use in the exhaust line of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: There is provided an improved electrically conductive metal honeycomb body having a plurality of corrugated thin metal strips, which may be heater strips, extending in electrical parallel between otherwise electrically isolated connector plates. The corrugated thin metal strips each have a flat central section. A first group of strips is gathered at their flat middle portions and bent around one of a pair of rigid central posts, and a second group of strips is gathered and bent in the opposite direction about the other of posts. Insulation in the form of a flexible woven ceramic fiber strip isolate the first and second groups from each other and from the central posts. The connector plates define a segmented retainer shell about the body. A battery is connected to the connector plates whereby current flows from one connector plate through corrugated thin metal strips to the other connector plate and back to the battery.

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: A developer treatment apparatus for treating excess developer remaining after film has been developed by developer containing a pigment dispersed in a solvent composed of a hydrocarbon as a main component includes a catalyst for oxidizing the hydrocarbon contained in the excess developer, thus treating the excess developer easily.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a laboratory determination of the rate and type of hydrocarbon generated from a hydrocarbon source utilizes hydrous pyrolysis to generate hydrocarbons from the sample and then utilizes cryogenic methods to remove the fluid portions to a transfer vessel. The gaseous components are removed to a further vessel of known dimensions for determination of weight. The hydrocarbons in the transfer vessel are passed through a dryer to separate the water and their makeup determined. The hydrocarbons remaining in the reactor vessel are removed by working with solvents and their weights are determined after separation and evaporation of the solvents.

Abstract: A device for holding and controlling the temperature of a corrosive chemical processing bath. The device has a tank having a bottom intimately covering thermally conductive fins, a heat sink thermally connected to the fins and heaters, connected to the heat sink, for changing the temperature of the fins. Preferably the device is produced by rotationally molding the tank about the fins coated with a polymeric material thereby covering the fins and forming an integral seamless tank.

Abstract: A sublimating and cracking device which may be used to produce a collimated beam of molecules from a solid source. The device includes an elongated sublimating tube and an elongated cracking tube adapted to be axially oriented off axis to each other. The sublimating and cracking tubes are interconnected and heated in use.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically heatable catalytic monolith composed of a bundle of layers of corrugated thin metal strips in contiguous relation in an electrically parallel circuit, the bundle being accordion folded and having electrical contacts at each end of the bundle and insulation between contiguous folds of the bundle. There is also provided a catalytic converter having a housing, a nonelectrically heatable catalytic monolith and an electrically heatable catalytic monolith as above described in tandem relation in the housing. The primary purpose of the devices hereof is to enable preheating of the catalyst to near optimum temperature for catalytic treatment of a gas, e.g. exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine, to overcome pollution at the time of start-up of the engine and until equilibrium temperature of the unit is achieved.

Abstract: An exhaust gas cleaner comprising (a) at least one filter made of a heat-resistant and electrically insulating material for trapping floating fine particles in an exhaust gas; and (b) at least a pair of electrodes stacked with the filter alternately, voltage being applied between the adjacent electrodes to burn electrically conductive and burnable fine particles trapped in the filter by heat generated by a current flowing between the adjacent electrodes, and the direction of the flow of the exhaust gas in the filter being essentially parallel to that of the laminate surface of the electrodes. The filter may carry a catalyst which functions to reduce harmful gas components in the exhaust gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing H.sub.2 S from a process gas, including a reaction chamber between an absorption chamber and an oxidizer chamber, in the polyvalent metal redox catalyzed removal of H.sub.2 S from a process gas. The process and apparatus of the present invention inclues a first gas-liquid mass transfer zone or absorber chamber for intimately containing an H.sub.2 S-containing process gas with an oxidized polyvalent metal redox solution for absorption of the H.sub.2 S; and a reaction chamber in fluid communication with polyvalent metal redox solution exiting the absorption chamber through a valve-controlled cross-flow conduit. Cross flow of solution from the absorber chamber through a valve or other circulation control device to the reaction chamber provides controlled, continuous and sequential gas-liquid contact with two or more different gases in separate absorption, reaction and oxygenation zones within a single or multiple vessels.

Abstract: Apparatus for oil purification comprises a packed column for contacting sour oil with steam from a boiler, a gravity separator for separating the oil and water, a coalescer for coalescing the recovered oil, and a condenser for separating the lighter fraction from the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulation system for a high temperature reactor in which chlorosilanes and hydrogen gases are present. The system described comprises an inner graphite radiant heat shield and an outer carbon-based, rigid, felt insulation of high density. The inner radient heat shield provides increased chemical stability at the hot face in a chlorosilane and hydrogen reactor. Also, the inner radient heat shield reduces the temperature at the interface with the carbon-based rigid felt, thereby reducing the reactivity of the chlorosilanes with the carbon-based rigid felt. The high density of the carbon-based rigid belt further reduces radiant heat loss. More importantly, the high density of the carbon-based rigid felt excludes the highly heat conductive hydrogen gas from the voids of the flet. The insulation system, as described, allows reactors containing chlorosilanes and hydrogen gases to be operated at higher and more efficient temperatures for longer periods of time.

Abstract: A reactor for carbothermal reduction is disclosed. By supplying gaseous nitrogen throughout a discrete aliquot of a preferably pelletized mixture of aluminum oxide, carbon and, optionally, calcium oxide during the carbothermal reduction thereof to aluminum nitride and continuously removing gaseous reaction products therefrom, a high quality aluminum nitride is produced. One means of supplying gaseous nitrogen to the mixture of solid reactants is a perforated tray having a hollowed-out bottom. Gaseous nitrogen supplied to the hollowed-out portion flows through the perforations and throughout solid reactants contained in the tray. The carbon may be alternatively supplied, in whole or in part, as a gaseous reactant.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the dispersion medium in a metal or ceramic molded body which comprises a dispersion medium-removing vessel includes a condensing zone located in a upper part and a boiling zone located in a lower part, a separator to separater a solvent in the dispersion medium solution discharged from the vessel by heating the solution at a temperature higher than the boiling point of the solvent to evaporate it, the boiling zone being connected with the separator through a pipe to transport the dispersion medium solution and a pipe to transport the vaporized solvent to form a circuit, and a pump provided in the circuit. In the apparatus since the dispersion medium is removed in the boiling solvent, keeping a constant temperature is easy. The dispersion medium is promptly removed by contacting it with a solution of which the concentration of the dispersion medium is always low due to continuous removal of the dispersion medium in the separator. Since the boiling point of the solvent is about 20.

Abstract: A device for trapping gaseous compounds of refractory metals includes at least a vertically disposed elongated enclosure (1) in the form of a hollow cylindrical member (2), sealingly closed in its upper part via a cover (4), and having a hollow bottom (5) in its lower part. The enclosure is lined in the major part of the height of the member with a heat conductive lining (10) leaving within itself free vertical spaces from top to bottom; The enclosure includes a gas inlet opening (8) below the lower portion of the lining, a gas outlet opening (11) above the lining, a heater and heat insulation.

Abstract: A furnace having a sublimating section, a cracking section oriented off axis to the sublimating section, and a valve for controlling flux between the sections. The valve includes an annular plug having at least one longitudinal slot. The plug is retractable from a fully closed position where the slot is completely covered, to a fully open position where the slot is completely exposed. The slot becomes increasingly exposed as the plug is moved from the fully closed position to the fully opened position, thereby increasing flux from the sublimating section to the cracking section.

Abstract: A self-regulating porous heater regulates the temperature of fluid passing through it. This device includes at least one layer of a porous material which has a magnetic permeability inversely related to temperature over a given range. Due to conductor skin effects, changes in permeability cause changes in the depth of penetration of alternating current passing through the magnetic layer. Changes in the depth of penetration, in turn, result in changes in resistance--the less the depth the greater the resistance--and in I.sup.2 R Joule heat. The combined result of these effects is to provide more heat where the temperature of the fluid and the layer through which the fluid flows is below a specified temperature which is related to the Curie temperature of the layer. Significantly, by properly defining pore dimensions, the heater device can filter contaminants from a fluid as it flows therethrough. In a preferred mode, a porous heater device is included in a chemical reaction chamber.

Abstract: A whisker growing furnace having a plurality of removable reaction plates mounted therein. A whisker collecting apparatus removes the plates one at a time from the furnace without shutting down the furnace or stopping the whisker growing process. The whisker collection apparatus includes a whisker stripper for stripping the whiskers from the plate as the plate is removed from the furnace. The plate is then returned to the furnace for further processing as the plate is coated with fresh catalyst.

Abstract: A furnace for firing an enamelled wire comprising a principal chamber, an auxiliary unit for the aspiration of a first stream of air and solvent vapours from this principal chamber and combustion of the vapors themselves, and a duct assembly operable to introduce gaseous streams into the principal chamber for controlling the temperature within the principal chamber; the auxiliary unit comprises a heater constituted by a plurality of electrical resistances operable to heat this first stream at least up to a temperature sufficient to cause initiation of the combustion of the said vapors, and by a support structure for these resistances, housable in a duct of the auxiliary unit; the support structure and the walls of the duct are made in steel alloy which is highly resistant to high temperatures. (FIG. 1 and 2).

Abstract: There is provided an improved electrically heated accordion folded corrugated thin metal catalytic converter for hydrocarbon or alcohol fueled engine exhaust, particularly internal combustion engine exhaust, having a simplified construction and characterized in that the entire corrugated thin metal monolith, or monoliths, serves as a resistance heater to bring the catalyst up to optimum operating temperature quickly and thereby reduce the escape of pollutants into the atmosphere upon start-up, and which does not depend upon conduction as a mdoe of heat transfer to achieve such temperature.

Abstract: An improved fluidized bed reactor and a method for its use characterized by a variable thickness inert liner surrounding the fluidized bed reaction zone. Such liner generates heat that is transferred to the reaction zone. The heat is generated in the inert liner by passing an electrical current through the inert liner. The inert liner is thicker at the top than at the bottom and therefore more heat is generated at the bottom of the reaction zone than the top of the reaction zone due to the increased resistance of the thinner portions of the inert liner.

Abstract: An improved heated fluidized bed reactor and a method of heating such reactor wherein a means defining an annular heated fluidized bed reaction zone is heated by a first heat source supplying heat to the outer periphery of the fluidized bed reaction zone and a second heat source supplying heat to the inner boundary of the annular fluidized bed reaction zone. The present invention is useful for reactions carried out in a fluidized bed reactor, such as the pyrolysis of silane containing gas into silicon.

Abstract: A thermal cracking apparatus for cracking organic or inorganic gases is described. More particularly, the thermal cracker cracks inorganic gases such as arsine and phosphine for use in the growth of III-V compound semiconductor layers. The design of the apparatus minimizes the uptake of contaminants into the cracked gas stream.

Abstract: A method and reactor system are described for decomposing organic compounds. A gaseous mixture of organic compounds and water, equal to or in excess of stoichiometry, is passed into a first reaction zone having a temperature range between about 200.degree. C. and 1400.degree. C. The first reaction zone has a labyrinthine path which presents organically adsorbent surfaces to the gaseous mixture to provide a residence time in the first reaction zone sufficient to react substantially all of the gaseous organic compounds and the water at high rate. The effluent from the first reaction zone, still with water equal to or in excess of stoichiometry, is then passed to a second reaction zone having a temperature range between about 750.degree. C. and 1820.degree. C. to decompose the organic compounds remaining in the effluent. The first reaction zone is an annulus which is coaxial with and surrounds the second reaction zone. The labyrinthine path is formed by particulate ceramic material.

Abstract: A combustion assembly catalytically oxidizes organic hydrocarbon gases and recovers the heat held by the heated oxidized exhaust generated by such oxidation. The assembly includes a preheater and a catalytic recuperative heat generator which contains a suitable oxidation catalyst. An outside air inlet provides communication between the outside air and the heat generator. The assembly also includes a recirculation duct coupled with a fan which form a loop for storing heated oxidized exhaust for later use, and for moderating temperature losses and gains. A return duct also provides heated oxidized exhaust to the preheater. Variable flow control devices are provided at various positions within the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved heated fluidized bed reactor and method for the production of high purity polycrystalline silicon by silane pyrolysis wherein silicon seed particles are heated in an upper heating zone of the reactor and admixed with particles in a lower zone, in which zone a silane-containing gas stream, having passed through a lower cooled gas distribution zone not conducive to silane pyrolysis, contacts the heated seed particles whereon the silane is heterogeneously reduced to silicon.

Abstract: A waste melting apparatus includes a waste melting vessel placed in a furnace body made of nonmetallic material and an induction heating coil is provided around the furnace body. The waste melting vessel is made of conductive ceramic material such as C-SiC or C-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 so that the vessel itself generates heat by induction heating to melt waste in the vessel effectively and safely even within a temperature range of 1,300.degree.-1,600.degree. C. The furnace body may be provided with a vertically movable bottom plate for openably closing the bottom of the furnace body permitting the waste to be melted and solidified in the waste melting vessel in a batch-type system. Alternatively, the waste melting vessel may be provided with a melt discharge pipe at the bottom thereof and the discharge pipe downwardly extends through the bottom plate of the furnace body and thereby the waste can be continuously melted and discharged from the melting vessel into a container placed under the discharge pipe.

Abstract: A self-regulating porous heater device regulates the temperature of fluid passing through it. This device includes at least one layer of a porous material which has a magnetic permeability inversely related to temperature over a given range. Due to conductor skin effects, changes in permeability cause changes in the depth of penetration of a.c. current passing through the magnetic layer. Changes in the depth of penetration, in turn, result in changes in resistance--the less the depth the greater resistance--and in I.sup.2 R Joule heat. The combined result of these effects is to provide more heat where the temperature of the fluid and the layer through which the fluid flows is below a specified temperature which is related to the Curie temperature of the layer. The device can have a laminate structure including a porous magnetic layer and at least one other magnetic layer or at least one low resistance nonmagnetic layer or a combination thereof, which may or may not be porous.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing high-purity polycrystalline silicon is constructed with a heating applicator, a vertical fluidized bed quartz reactor within the applicator, a microwave generator, microwave guide tubes for conveying microwaves from the microwave generator to the applicator, a reacting gas inlet and outlet, a gas distribution device for distributing reacting gas within the reactor, a silicon seed inlet for introducing silicon seed into the reactor, and an outlet for withdrawing polycrystalline silicon from the reactor. The microwaves provide the heat for the fluidized bed reaction.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing low cost, high purity solar grade Si wherein a reduction reaction, preferably the reduction of SiF.sub.4, by an alkali metal (Na preferred) is carried out by jetting a spray of reactants into a reaction chamber at a rate and temperature which causes the reaction to take place far enough away from the entry region to avoid plugging of reactants at the entry region and wherein separation in the melt is carried out continuously from the reaction and the Si can be cast directly from the melt. The melt separation is provided by openings in the reaction chamber wall between about 2 to about 3.5 millimeters in width. The Si is retained within the reaction chamber due to its surface tension.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon fibers in a vertical carbonizing furnace and an apparatus for producing carbon fibers using such a method are disclosed. The furnace includes a heating chamber for carbonizing fibers, the furnace including,(i) a fiber inlet at the upper end of the chamber(ii) an air tight sealed fiber outlet at the lower end of the furnace,(iii) an inert gas inlet provided on the wall of the chamber and above the fiber outlet,(iv) at least one inert gas injection portion, formed on the wall of the chamber, each capable of forming a curtain of inert gas across the heating chamber, each injection portion being provided between the gas inlet and the fiber inlet,(v) at least one outlet each being provided below each inert gas injection portion, and(vi) a heating member capable of controlling the temperature in the heating chamber in such a manner that the temperature gradually increases from the upper end toward a lower end of the heating chamber.

Abstract: A reactor apparatus (10) adapted for continuously producing molten, solar grade purity elemental silicon by thermal reaction of a suitable precursor gas, such as silane (SiH.sub.4), is disclosed. The reactor apparatus (10) includes an elongated reactor body (32) having graphite or carbon walls which are heated to a temperature exceeding the melting temperature of silicon. The precursor gas enters the reactor body (32) through an efficiently cooled inlet tube assembly (22) and a relatively thin carbon or graphite septum (44). The septum (44), being in contact on one side with the cooled inlet (22) and the heated interior of the reactor (32) on the other side, provides a sharp temperature gradient for the precursor gas entering the reactor (32) and renders the operation of the inlet tube assembly (22) substantially free of clogging. The precursor gas flows in the reactor (32) in a substantially smooth, substantially axial manner.

Abstract: A device useful for heating of samples taken in small amounts, comprising a sample holding rod engaging in a tubular liner while leaving a reduced dead or wasted space. The rod has an elongate cavity opening at its upper part and receiving the sample which is in contact with a vector gas. The sample holding rod has two positions one of which places the sample in a moderate temperature zone and the other of which places the sample in a heating zone.

Abstract: An oxidation assembly catalytically oxidizes organic hydrocarbon gases and recovers the heat held by the heated oxidized exhaust generated by such oxidation. The assembly includes a preheater and a catalytic recuperative heat generator which contains a suitable oxidation catalyst. An outside air inlet provides communication between the outside air and the heat generator. The assembly also includes a fan having a first and second outlet for moving the heated oxidized exhaust, and an outside air preheat exchanger. The first outlet of the fan and a recirculation duct communicate to form a loop for storing the heated oxidized exhaust for later use, and the second outlet of the fan and the inlet of the catalytic preheater communicate to form a loop for returning the oxidized exhaust to the preheater. Although the assembly may be designed with a fixed pre-adjusted gas flow control device, in the preferred embodiment, variable flow control devices are provided at various positions within the apparatus.

Abstract: An oven for heating a distillable material in a preselected gas atmosphere. The oven comprises an inner heating chamber adapted to receive a spherical gravity lid, the heating chamber being connected to and in communication with a gas exhaust tube having a condensate trap at the termination thereof. The inner heating chamber is also in communication with and surrounded by an outer gas flow chamber, the outer gas flow chamber having a plurality of heater elements therein. The gas exhaust tube is surrounded by an ante chamber which is in communication with the outer chamber. The heater elements are continuously monitored by a programmable controller and a thermocouple in communication therewith. During oven operation, a purge gas is introduced to the ante chamber and flows therefrom into the outer gas flow chamber around the heater elements and into the top of the inner heating chamber.

Abstract: A reactor tube 20 for a high-temperature fluid wall reactor has a generally cylindrical shape and is made of a refractory material which permits the tube to be heated to incandescence. The reactor tube in turn radiates energy inwardly to a reaction zone to sustain the desired high-temperature reaction. At least a length of the tube 20 is perforated to permit an inert gas to pass through the tube to form a protective fluid wall for preventing the radially-inward reactant products from contacting the inner surface 84 of the tube. Perforations 78 are located, shaped and dimensioned such that inert gas jets 86 are formed each having a substantially radially-directed momentum sufficient to repel the reactants. The injection of inert gas is controlled so that gas jets overlap to form the protective fluid wall, but the gas jets do not disturb flow within the radially-inward reaction zone. Sections of the reactor tube may remain unperforated, but are protected by the downstream flow of the injected inert gas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a directed aerosol stream from gaseous and/or vapor phase reactants by conveying the reactants to a reaction site, reacting the reactants at the reaction site in a flame free chemical reaction to produce an aerosol composition, and causing the aerosol composition to flow from the reaction site and immediately surrounding the aerosol composition with a moving, essentially aerosol free gas and/or vapor stream to form a directed aerosol stream enveloped in the aerosol free stream, in which the step of conveying includes conducting each reactant through a respective distributor and then through a discharge element having a substantially higher flow resistance than the distributor in a substantially vertical upward direction to the reaction site, and the step of causing is carried out so that the aerosol composition flows in a substantially vertical upward direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing low cost, high purity solar grade Si wherein a reduction reaction, preferably the reduction of SiF.sub.4, by an alkali metal (Na preferred) is carried out by jetting a spray of reactants into a reaction chamber at a rate and temperature which causes the reaction to take place far enough away from the entry region to avoid plugging of reactants at the entry region and wherein separation in the melt is carried out continuously from the reaction and the Si can be cast directly from the melt. The melt separation is provided by openings in the reaction chamber wall between about 2 and 3.5 millimeters in width. The Si is retained within the reaction chamber due to its surface tension.

Abstract: A reactor tube of a microreactor assembly including a first central temperature sensor and a channel formed in its outer surface to circulate a coolant. A tightly fitting conductive core surrounds the cooling channel and is sealed to the reactor tube at both ends to confine the coolant except for inlet and outlet holes. Around that core a metallic tube is fitted having a longitudinal slot to which a second temperature sensor is fixed. A heating element to heat the tube and the reactor tube is disposed on the slotted tube and second sensor so that temperature changes on the outer wall of the reactor tube-core sub-assembly can be detected. Both the first and second temperature sensors are adapted to feed output signals to a controlling data processing unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing low cost, high purity solar grade Si wherein a reduction reaction, preferably the reduction of SiF.sub.4, by an alkali metal (Na preferred) is carried out inside a reaction chamber. The chamber wall and bottom surfaces are formed of graphite and configured with drainage channels so as to facilitate the continuous separation of the products of reaction (Si and NaF) and removal of the molten salt by discharging the salt through one or more ports at the bottom of the reaction chamber. Such process is especially useful where it is desirable to discharge the reaction salt products from the reactor and retain silicon within the chamber for later removal.

Abstract: A chemical bath apparatus is disclosed in which an open topped beaker having a heater mounted to the exterior wall thereof is supported in an open topped surrounding housing or shell by a support assembly, the beaker being in spaced relation to the shell. The support assembly includes a sleeve mounted in sealed relation around the heater so as to isolate the same from corrosive fumes and a resilient pad extending over a substantial area of the bottom wall of the beaker for support of substantially the entire weight of the beaker and chemical substance through the bottom wall. Vent openings for convection cooling between the shell and sleeve are also provided.