Abstract: A heating zone (4), a cooling zone (5), and a quenching zone (6) are provided inside a linear furnace body in this order, the heating zone (4), the cooling zone (5), and the quenching zone (6) being separated by partition doors (2, 3). Conveying means of a work (W) is a tray pusher (7) in the heating zone (4) and conveying means of the work (W) is roller hearths (8, 9) in the cooling zone (5) and the quenching zone (6), the roller hearths (8, 9) being independently driven.

Abstract: A dehydration tunnel for fruits, vegetables, and other products reduces the vulnerability of the products to damage from carmelization and case hardening by dividing a row of product vessels into two segments, passing heated air simultaneously over both segments but in opposite directions, and advancing the row of vessels unidirectionally through the tunnel. Each vessel is thus exposed to a stream of heated air traversing the vessel in one direction, followed by a separate stream of heated air traversing the vessel in the opposite direction. This allows the tunnel to be operated at moderate temperatures and reduces the harmful temperature cycling of each vessel that is typical of tunnel dryers of the prior art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delubrification of parts. The method comprising the steps of moving the parts on the belt into a chamber of the furnace, heating the parts, igniting the unused combustible atmosphere above the parts, and allowing the atmosphere above the parts to escape through a vent in the chamber. The parts are heated uniformly by a heat source beneath the belt. The hot atmosphere is forced up through at least one plenum by blowers. The unused combustible atmosphere in the chamber above the parts on the belt is ignited using a burner and vented through the vent in the chamber.

Abstract: A bath apparatus 12 reserves a liquid 13 as a heating medium and includes an input partition bath 31, a first intermediate partition bath 32, a heat partition bath 33, a second intermediate partition bath 34 and a removing partition bath 35 that are divided by gates 21 through 24 and sequentially arranged in a direction in which a printed board assembly where components are loaded onto a printed board moves. The temperatures of liquids 13-31 and 13-32 in the input partition bath 31 and the first partition bath 32 are a preheating temperature. The temperature of a liquid 13-33 in the heat partition bath 33 is a soldering temperature. The gate 21 is gradually opened while the printed board assembly 11 is located in the first intermediate partition bath 32 and before the printed board assembly 11 is conveyed into the heat partition bath 33.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus and method for increasing the productivity and/or quality of reheated products by improving the temperature profile of a furnace for reheating products.

Abstract: A continuous production vacuum sintering apparatus has a conveyer unit and a plurality of vacuum sintering systems individually transferred by the conveyer unit. Each of the vacuum sintering systems includes a sintering furnace, a vacuum control unit communicating with the sintering furnace via an exhaustion valve, a temperature control unit electrically connecting the sintering furnace, and a partition disposed in the sintering furnace and adjacent to the exhaustion valve. The vacuum sintering systems correspond to respective sintering steps, each of which continues from a previous one with a predetermined period. The vacuum sintering systems are separate from one another. The respective pressure and temperature conditions provided by the corresponding vacuum sintering systems do not interfere with one another.

Abstract: A wafer processing system which requires no isolation between the operational areas within the processing system. The system of the present invention includes operational areas, such as a loading area, a transport area, and a reactor or thermal processing area. Advantageously, since there are no isolation devices or gate valves separating the areas, the processing system effectively has each operational area combined into a “single” chamber. Preferably, the single chamber has a single slit valve, hinge door, or other vacuum sealable door disposed proximate to the loading area to allow for the removal/insertion of the wafers into the loading area. Once the door to the loading area has been closed the internal pressure within the chamber can be kept uniform throughout each operational area.

Abstract: Modern drying units for gypsum plaster board have a feed device, comprising several roller feed units (1) arranged in levels one above the other. The drying section is generally divided into several zones (3 to 7), in particular three longitudinally ventilated zones (4 to 6), being two high temperature zones (4, 5) and a subsequent low temperature zone (6). Due to the high production capacity of the upline production plant and the necessarily long residence time, drying units are very long. According to the invention, black boards (19) are arranged above and below the individual roller feed units (1) in the high temperature zones (4, 5), which extend across the width of the roller feed units (1). The boards (19) are heated exclusively by means of the flowing drying air to an elevated temperature, and transmit additional heat to the through-flowing gypsum plaster board (16) by radiation. It is possible to reduce the length of the drying unit due to the increased heat transfer coefficient.

Abstract: A multizone convection furnace is provided in which gas from a cooling chamber of the furnace is directed into one or more heat zones of the furnace for the purpose of providing a specified thermal profile. The gas introduced from the cooling chamber into the one or more heat zones is of the same type of gas present in the heat zones, and typically is nitrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the convection furnaces comprises a heating chamber composed of a plurality of adjacent heat zones and a cooling chamber at the exit end of the heating chamber. A conveyer extends through the furnace for movement of a product through the heat zones and cooling chamber of the furnace. The cooling chamber is coupled to one or more of the heat zones such that cooled gas from the cooling chamber can be introduced into selected heat zones. In one version, a cooled gas path is provided to all of the heat zones and cooled gas is introduced into intended zones by opening associated valves.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a substrate holder for holding a substrate with a holding angle of 45 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to a horizontal plane, a conveying system to convey the substrate with the substrate holder, a process chamber in which the substrate is processed, a load-lock chamber in which the substrate temporarily stays, and an intermediate chamber provided between the process chamber and the load-lock chamber. The conveying system conveys the substrate along the first direction from the load-lock chamber to the intermediate chamber, and from the intermediate chamber to the process chamber, and also conveys the substrate along the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A method of controlling a furnace pressure for preventing air from intruding to a heating furnace, a method of stable operation during low combustion load of heat regenerating burners and a method of measuring concentration of an atmospheric gas in a heating furnace are proposed.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and installation for the treatment of a solid. The process includes passing the solid along a kiln having a hollow interior, while supporting the solid on supports moved successively along the kiln and heating the solid, by radiant heat, to a temperature at which it undergoes an endothermic chemical reaction. The installation includes a kiln having a hollow interior with an inlet end and an outlet end, a roof, a floor and a pair of opposed side walls, and a path for supports loaded with the solid to pass successively along in the interior, from the inlet end to the outlet end, the path extending along the floor. The installation includes heating surfaces for radiating heat towards the solid on supports passing along the path, and a plurality of supports, movable in succession along the path.

Abstract: A thermal treatment apparatus has a plurality of thermal treatment chambers in which an object to be treated is thermally treated while being transported, and at least one pair of two adjacent thermal treatment chambers of which inside temperatures are different from each other. The thermal treatment chambers are connected through a thermal insulating structural member, whereby thermal conduction between the chambers, such as muffles, is prevented to reduce a heat loss caused in the thermal treatment apparatus. Therefore, input thermal energy which is necessary to carry out a predetermined thermal treatment is significantly reduced without affecting quality and yield of the object.

Abstract: A method for determining the condition of a reflow furnace so as to prevent the semiconductor element from tilting due to different collapsed amounts of solder bumps in the single semiconductor element of multiple chip modules mounted on the semiconductor element on the substrate. For the carrying direction in the reflow furnace using a carrying belt, temperature analysis for time duration is performed for the solder bumps at both the front and rear, and then the condition of the reflow furnace is determined so as to close at both the times for reaching the solder melting temperature and the times for maintaining the solder melting temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reflow furnace for heating a carried circuit module to perform reflow soldering. The reflow furnace has a nozzle 60 for performing an operation of spraying the inert gas on a soldering portion for the circuit module carried into the furnace while the nozzle is moved, maintaining high mounting reliability and high productivity, even if apertures of the carrying inlet and the carrying outlet are large.

Abstract: In a thermal treatment apparatus comprising a plurality of thermal treatment chambers in which an object to be treated is thermally treated while being transported, at least one pair of two adjacent thermal treatment chambers of which inside temperatures are different from each other are connected through a thermal insulating structural member, whereby thermal conduction between the chambers such as muffles is prevented to reduce a heat loss caused in the thermal treatment apparatus, and therefore, input thermal energy which is necessary to carry out a predetermined thermal treatment is significantly reduced without affecting quality and yield of the object.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: An oven compartment in an oven for subjecting items to a selected heating sequence having a compartment container with a transport opening therein to permit selectively entering such items adjacent to first plenum structure at a perforated surface to allow providing heating fluid thereon. The first plenum structure has a material mass and a specific heat such that a rate of change of temperature of that structure exceeds one degree Centigrade per second for a selected maximum temperature differential between heating fluid and any entered items positioned adjacent to the perforated surface at selected heating fluid pressures at that perforated surface. A method for heating such items with a heating fluid previously heated by a heater, to an extent determined by operating a heater control, directed onto such items is based on obtaining a control representation of a selected set of values for the heater control versus time based on a heating specification for a selected kind of item to be heated.

Abstract: A continuous sintering furnace has an entrance-side deaerating chamber through which trays each with an material to be sintered being mounted thereon may pass, preheating, heating and cooling zones into which the trays are sequentially fed from the deaerating chamber, an exit-side deaerating chamber through which the trays having passed through the cooling zone may pass, a pusher for pushing the tray from the deaerating chamber to the preheating zone, a puller for pulling the tray from the cooling zone to the deaerating chamber, an intermediate puller for pulling the tray from the heating zone to the cooling zone, a vertically movable door between the deaerating chamber and the preheating zone, a vertically movable intermediate door adjacent to the door and arranged at an upstream end of the preheating zone in the direction of transportation of the trays, a vertically movable intermediate door between the heating and cooling zones and a vertically movable door between the cooling zone and the deaerating chamb

Abstract: A facility for the thermal treatment of workpieces has a processing or heating chamber and at least one transport device, extending essentially completely through the processing or heating chamber, with which the workpieces to be treated can be transported through the processing or heating chamber. At least two processing or heating levels are hereby located on top of one another in the processing or heating chamber, with each processing or heating level having at least one separate transport device. This type of facility can preferably be used as a soldering facility, particularly a reflow soldering facility, or as a facility for the hardening or drying of plastics or adhesives.

Abstract: To save a space for heating remarkably than that of a conventional case, to apply main heating at a high temperature only to portions of chips to be soldered and to perform heating operation in a short period of time, a heating apparatus is composed of a preheating zone and a main heating zone. In the preheating zone, support pallets are rotated in the vertical direction within a vertical heat insulating chamber like a Ferris wheel. Also, heat at a temperature such that cream solder is not molten by heaters is applied to a printed circuit board by fans. In the main heating zone, a pattern mask is fixed within a heat insulating chamber, sleeve bodies are fitted in necessary through-holes, blind plugs are fitted in unnecessary through-holes and heat at a temperature such that the cream solder is molten by a heater is applied to portions of chips to be soldered by fans through sleeve bodies, coil springs and other sleeve bodies.

Abstract: A tower furnace for heat treatment of metal strips having a pre-heating section (3) and a high-temperature section (5) connected thereto at the top forming a housing (4) separate from the pre-heating section (3) is described, whereby the pre-heating section (3) equipped with a preferably gas-heated muffle (7) exhibits a connecting stopper (6) made of heat-insulating material for the high-temperature section (5) inserted into the muffle (7). To create advantageous structural conditions it is proposed that the high-temperature section (5) is also fitted with a preferably gas-heated muffle (12) which encloses the connecting stopper (6) externally and connects to this in a gas-tight manner preferably by way of a fluid seal (14).

Abstract: A modular furnace is fabricated from at least one module having a frame, a removable cover mounted to the frame, exterior cover panels on the frame, and an insulated case fastened to the interior of the module. A conveyor assembly extends through the module. A plurality of process zones, such as heating and cooling zones, are disposed within the module. Field replaceable universal blower assemblies are associated with each process zone. The motor shaft in each blower assembly is provided with a sealed bearing in the motor housing. Insulation within each module is held in place by gas permeable fabric covering large vent openings in cover panels to allow oxygen to diffuse out of the insulation rapidly upon start up.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: A solder reflow oven for the processing of ball grid array substrates bearing solder balls is described, comprising: input means for introducing substrates into the oven, a processing chamber within which the substrates are subject to a solder reflow process, and output means for discharging substrates from the oven for further processing or handling, and means for transferring the substrates through the processing chamber in a first direction towards the output means. The processing chamber comprises a plurality of heating and cooling zones arranged with a constant pitch in the first direction, and the transferring means is adapted to move the substrates in the first direction in stages, with each component moving a distance equal to the pitch between two zones in each stage, whereby the components are moved from zone to zone in stages.

Abstract: A temperature control method is provided which is capable of performing quick, accurate, and error-free soaking control over all wafer areas to be thermally treated at a target temperature without requiring any skilled operator and which can be automated by using a computer. In the temperature control method of controlling a heating apparatus having at least two heating zones in such a manner that temperatures detected at predetermined locations equal a target temperature therefor, temperatures are detected at predetermined locations the number of which is larger than the number of the heating zones, and the heating apparatus is controlled in such a manner that the target temperature falls between a maximum value and a minimum value of a plurality of detected temperatures.

Abstract: Firing process and apparatus for uniformly heat-treating a substrate having a film-forming composition thereon, wherein the substrate is subjected to a first soaking step in which the substrate is held for a predetermined time in a first heating chamber whose temperature is maintained at a first value, so that the temperature within the substrate is held at the first value evenly throughout an entire mass of the substrate, and after feeding of the substrate into a second heating chamber whose temperature is maintained at a predetermined second value which is different from the first value by a predetermined difference, the substrate is subjected to a second soaking step in which the substrate is held for a second predetermined time in the second heating chamber, so that the temperature within the substrate is held at the second value evenly throughout the entire mass of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus are provided which can efficiently produce a functional material having a satisfactory level of photocatalytic activity. A photocatalyst coating composition comprising a photocatalytic metal oxide and/or a precursor of the photocatalytic metal oxide is coated on the surface of a substrate. The surface of the coated substrate is rapidly heated to fix the photocatalytic metal oxide onto the surface of the substrate. This rapid heating can realize the production of a functional material having a satisfactory level of photocatalytic activity in an efficient manner. The apparatus, which can continuously carry out the rapid heating immediately after the production of the substrate, can produce the functional material having photocatalytic activity in an efficient manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an oven for sealing a panel to a funnel, thus forming an envelope suitable for use in a display tube, comprising a tunnel structure 9 and at least one mount for conveying an assembly of a panel and a funnel through the tunnel structure 9. The tunnel structure 9 is provided with a longitudinal slot 16A and the components of the mount for guiding the mount along and through the tunnel structure 9 are placed outside the tunnel structure. It is preferred that the components comprise a means, such as a pump or compressor 24, for flushing the interior of the assembly 22 with a fluid obtained from a source which is substantially separated from the gas(es) circulating in the oven 1, e.g. from the surroundings of the oven 1.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: A processing apparatus capable of separating and recovering resins and metals, respectively, from an object being processed, which has resins and metals as its constituent, comprises a first gastight area (102), in which temperature and pressure are regulated so as to permit selective thermal decomposition of resins from the object (150) being processed, a second gastight area (103), which is partitioned from the first gastight area by an openable and closeable partition (105C) and in which temperature and pressure are regulated so as to permit selective vaporization of metals from the object, first recovering chamber (111) connected to the first gastight area for recovering gases produced by thermal decomposition of resins, and second recovering chamber (115) connected to the second gastight area for recovering vaporized metals.

Abstract: A metal workpiece to which a brazing material and a flux are previously adhered is set into an index type convection furnace, and a heating medium gas is blown to this metal workpiece, so that the temperatures of the workpiece are increased up to the brazing temperature. After that, the temperatures of the heating medium gas are varied between the temperature slightly higher than the brazing temperature and the temperature at least 5% lower than that, in a predetermined period, while brazing. According to this method, a temperature slope of the workpiece is eliminated and uniform brazing is possible.

Abstract: A purge chamber for providing a controlled atmosphere for the treatment of materials comprises a housing within which materials to be treated may be passed through and subjected to a cross-flow of purging gas entering and exiting through a multiplicity of inlets and outlets positioned along the length of the housing. Exiting gas may be recycled and re-entered in combination with fresh gas. In practice, materials to be treated may be conveyed through the chamber while the atmosphere surrounding the materials is continuously exchanged. Flapper doors, spanning the width of the chamber, are positioned along the path of travel of the materials being treated to direct the cross-flow of purging gas and prevent the entry of unwanted gases.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor fibers. The apparatus comprises a furnace, or series of furnaces in side-by-side arrangement. Each furnace includes a heater, an air inlet and an air diffusion plate. The fiber is located in the furnace above the air diffuser plate, such that heated air is evenly dispersed over the fibers. The method generally comprises the steps of heat treating the PAN precursor in an oxidizing environment to stabilize the fiber, and then further heat treating the stabilized fiber in an oxidizing environment to carbonize the stabilized fiber. The method can be carried out in a single furnace, or can be carried out in a series of furnaces in a continuous process.

Abstract: A vertical multiple stage oven includes a first plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement, and a second plurality of ovens in a vertical arrangement positioned adjacent the first plurality of ovens. An access port is provided to the first plurality of ovens and an exit port is provided from the second plurality of ovens. A coupling port couples the first plurality of ovens to the second plurality of ovens. A continuous pathway is defined through the first plurality of ovens and through the second plurality of ovens from the access port, through the coupling port to the exit port. Each oven is sealed from adjacent ovens by trays moving along the pathway.

Abstract: A method for making a furnace for heating a glass sheet by lower electric resistance elements (50) supported by a furnace housing (12) below a roll conveyor (40) and by supplying a gas burner heated hot gas flow from a forced convection heater (56) that provides a dominant mode of external heat for heating the conveyed glass sheet from above. The furnace is manufactured by retrofitting an electric resistance heater type glass sheet furnace that initially has both lower and upper electric resistance elements (50) located below and above the roller conveyor (40). The lower electric resistance elements (50) are maintained while the upper electric resistance elements (50) are replaced with a gas burner forced convection heater (56).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for curing coatings on ophthalmic lenses is disclosed. The apparatus includes an oven that is continuously supplied with lenses. A vertically oriented conveyor having multiple carrier bars for supporting the lenses is positioned within the oven. The conveyor moves the lenses through a series of positions within the oven where the lenses are subjected to heat. Ambient air is filtered and forced into the oven by an intake blower which keeps the air pressure within the oven above the ambient air pressure. Air is recirculated and filtered within the oven by recirculation blowers. Air is exhausted from the oven by an exhaust blower which effects air exchange with the ambient.

Abstract: Firing process and apparatus for uniformly heat-treating a substrate having a film-forming composition thereon, wherein the substrate is subjected to a first soaking step in which the substrate is held for a predetermined time in a first heating chamber whose temperature is maintained at a first value, so that the temperature within the substrate is held at the first value evenly throughout an entire mass of the substrate, and after feeding of the substrate into a second heating chamber whose temperature is maintained at a predetermined second value which is different from the first value by a predetermined difference, the substrate is subjected to a second soaking step in which the substrate is held for a second predetermined time in the second heating chamber, so that the temperature within the substrate is held at the second value evenly throughout the entire mass of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method and an equipment for pyrolytic treatment of organic material comprising a supply storage receiving the organic material to be treated, a number of containers with meshlike walls, each to be charged with a batch of said organic material, a horizontal reactor with a charge gate in one end and a discharge gate in the opposite end, the interior of the reactor being divided by means of internal gates into at least a heating chamber, a pyrolysis chamber, and a cooling chamber, as well as a recovery storage for a solid pyrolytic residue of the organic material, i.e. the pyrolytic coke, the pyrolysis chamber being provided with an outlet pipe for generated pyrolytic gas terminating in a fractionating condenser, said condenser being provided with an outlet for each liquid fraction and an outlet pipe for uncondensed pure pyrolytic gas, which outlet pipe terminates in a gas tank.

Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to a thermal processing furnace, the device includes a housing having first and second openings with a chamber located therebetween, the second opening is operatively connected to a thermal processing furnace and in communication with the thermal processing furnace for receiving a thermal process generating gas stream containing combustibles from the thermal processing furnace, a gas supply assembly located within the chamber for supplying a heated oxygen-containing gas at a temperature and velocity sufficient to mix the combustibles and the oxygen-containing gas to oxidize the combustibles into harmless byproducts.

Abstract: A heating furnace reheats batches of iron steel products, which differ in their thermal state, introduced in succession into the furnace. The furnace has heating zones followed by at least two equalization zones, the products passing through at least one of these zones, at a speed different from that of the other zones. This speed can be adjusted depending on the thermal objective for the products to be reheated, and at least one of these zones is used as a heating zone.

Abstract: A single furnace system integrates, in combination, two or more distinct heating environments (which in the preferred embodiments include a conduction heating environment and a convection heating environment) integrated such that the multiple environments define a continuous heating chamber through which a moving workpiece (such as a casting) transitions from one heating environment to the other without being exposed to the atmosphere. In accordance with the preferred methods, the transitioning of the casting from one environment to the other is accomplished with no meaningful change in temperature.

Abstract: The products (1) pass from a charging end (2) to a discharging end (3); at the discharging end side, the furnace exhibits a heating zone (4) equipped with air/fuel burners (41), possibly doped with oxygen, and, on the charging end side, exhibits a flue-gas recuperation or drainage zone (5) in which the flue gases are removed. At least one fuel body in the gaseous state is incorporated into the flue gases, and oxygen is introduced upstream of that possibly doped air/fuel burner (41) which is situated furthest upstream when referring to the direction of travel of the products (1), so as to burn the gaseous fuel body and thus raise the temperature in the recuperation zone (5). Possible use for heating steel-making products prior to rolling.

Abstract: In a method wherein semiconductor wafers are accommodated within a treatment furnace that has been heated beforehand to a predetermined temperature, the temperature within the treatment furnace is increased to a predetermined treatment temperature, and the semiconductor wafers are subjected to an oxidation treatment, the temperature-increasing step is performed under a reduced pressure. This makes it possible to suppress the formation of natural oxide films during the temperature-increasing step, and thus makes it possible to form an extremely thin film of a superior quality on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: The substrate unloaded from the exposure device is received at the interface unit, and then carried by the substrate carrying means to the heat treatment unit, where a heat treatment is carried out on the substrate. After that, the substrate is carried from the heat treatment unit to the cooling unit, where the substrate is cooled. After the completion of the cooling process, the substrate is carried by the carrying means from the cooling unit to the development unit, where the resist film on the substrate is developed. In this resist process, the required time for the process at the heat treatment unit is changed in accordance with the required time for the process at the exposure unit. The required time for the process at the heat treatment unit is equalized with the required time for the process at the exposure device. The required time for the process at the heat treatment process is changed by prolonging or shortening the pre-process at the heat treatment unit.

Abstract: A method and furnace for heating a glass sheet by lower electric resistance elements (50) supported by a furnace housing (12) below a roll conveyor (40) and by supplying a gas burner heated hot gas flow from a forced convection heater (56) that provides a dominant mode of external heat for heating the conveyed glass sheet from above. The furnace can also be manufactured by retrofitting an electric resistance heater type glass sheet furnace.

Abstract: A device for removing carbon deposits on solid objects, includes an inlet (102) for the objects to be treated, a zone (101a) for heating the objects having a feed (104) and an outlet for the heating gas, a zone (101b) for treating the objects by oxidation and/or gasification having a feed (105) and an outlet (108) for the gasification fluid, an outlet (118) for the treated objects. The heating zone (101a ) and the treating zone (101b) are situated in a single enclosure (100) and comprise a substantially flat-bottomed vibrating element (101) intended for transport of the objects, the bottom allowing support of the objects, diffusion of the fluid through the objects and transmission of the vibrations. A zone (101c) for cooling solids, placed in the enclosure (100) downstream from the treating zone (101b) in relation to the direction of displacement of the solids in the enclosure (100), and a heater (115) external to enclosure (100) is provided.

Abstract: An assembly for treating metal products is presented. The assembly includes a preheat furnace aligned with a reheat furnace. Cold products are initially heated in the preheat furnace and hot products bypass the preheat furnace. A material handling device is provided for a) transferring preheated products from an outlet of the preheat furnace to an inlet of the reheat furnace, and for b) transferring hot products from a point between the furnaces to the inlet of the reheat furnace. The material handling device includes a support extending between the outlet of the preheat furnace and the inlet of the reheat furnace for receiving preheated and hot products; and a displacement device located below the support means for lifting and translating preheated and hot products from the support means to the inlet of the reheating means.

Abstract: A drying oven for curing paint applied to a vehicle comprising a housing, radiant heat panel located on the side walls of the housing, a conveyor for carrying a vehicle through the housing and a convection heater unit positioned at a height below the conveyor such that heat from the convection heater is directed onto the under floor of the vehicle passing through the housing on the conveyor. In a first embodiment, the convection heater unit includes a feed pipe positioned below the conveyor and a plurality of nozzles extending from the feed pipe for directing hot air onto the under floor of the vehicle. In a second embodiment, a plurality of heat ducts are located below and to the side of the conveyor, each heat duct having an opening directed at the under floor of the vehicle on the conveyor for directing hot air onto the under floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A tunnel kiln for firing ceramic honeycomb structural body comprising a vestibule region, a carbonaceous material release region located downstream of the vestibule region and a sintering region located downstream of the carbonaceous material release region and having a multiplicity of kiln cars adapted to convey materials to be fired through the kiln. A gas distribution system is provided which includes a series of conduits each which operatively communicates with an injection site which operatively communicates with the interior of the release region for introducing a gas into the carbonaceous release region. The injection sites include a combustion burner located site, a vestibule located site, an undercar located site, a rooftop located site, and a sidewall located site or combinations thereof.