Abstract: A vertically stacked air impingement tunnel oven including a plurality of baking cases having vertically aligned food ports; an electronically controlled heater system connected to the baking cases, the heater system being adapted for heating selected groups of baking cases, the heater system including a plurality of on/off switches which are correspondingly electrically connected for actuating the heating of the selected baking cases; an exhaust hood and exhaust fan having an inlet over the food ports; and a first electronic motor drive system connected operatively to the exhaust fan, and being adapted for rotating the exhaust fan a rotation speed among a plurality of preset rotation speeds, the drive system including the plurality of on/off switches which are further electrically connected for simultaneously actuating the exhaust fan at rotation speeds corresponding with the selected baking case group.

Abstract: A superheated steam generator includes an introduction section for introducing saturated steam into hollow pipe members arranged as steam flow passages and acting as inductively heated elements, and a discharge section for discharging superheated steam from the flow passages, wherein a turbulence generator is disposed in each of the steam flow passages to accelerate heat transfer to the steam in the pipe members, wherein the turbulence generator is a zigzag bent member disposed in the steam flow passage, and a zigzag bending pitch of the bent member changes from rough to minute from the introduction section to the discharge section.

Abstract: In a method for utilizing alternative fuels in the production of clinker or cement the alternative fuels are employed in reactors (4) for the preheating and/or precalcining of raw meal in a combustion device (17) separate from the burners (12) of the respective reactor (4) and are at least partially burnt whereupon an, if necessary, complete combustion is carried out inside the reactors (4) with the combustion oxygen fed to the burner (12) of the reactor (4) in excess of stoichiometry. The device for utilizing alternative fuels in the production of clinker or cement having a clinker kiln (1) and a reactor (4) with burners (12) for preheating and calcining of raw meal and having at least one duct (18) for combustion air or -oxygen respectively is characterized in that a separate combustion device (17) having a conveyor for alternative fuels such as, for instance, a pusher or a screw conveyor (16) is provided and opens inside the respective reactor (4).

Abstract: The present invention provides a crucible-type continuous melting furnace by which the melted amount of the material can be readily controlled. A crucible-type continuous melting furnace 1 includes a preheating tower 31 for storing the material to be melted (a), and an exhaust port 34 on the top thereof; a melting crucible furnace 11 disposed below the preheating tower 31 and having a melting crucible 71 to which the material to be melted (a) is supplied from the preheating tower 31; a heating burner 3 for heating the melting crucible 71; and a preheating burner 4 for preheating the material to be melted and disposed in a position that is higher than the heating burner 3; the melting crucible furnace 11 having an introduction portion for introducing a combustion gas from the heating burner 3 into the preheating tower 31; and the melting crucible 71 having a molten metal outlet 74 on the side wall for discharging the molten metal (b) obtained by melting the material (a).

Abstract: A vacuum heat-treatment apparatus for heat-treating a workpiece in a treating cell includes a hermetic chamber disposed at the center. A plurality of treating cells are disposed along the periphery of the hermetic chamber, and a workpiece transfer mechanism is disposed inside the hermetic chamber and transfers the workpiece from one of the treating cells to the hermetic chamber and from the hermetic chamber to one of the treating cells.

Abstract: An apparatus for sequential processing of a workpiece comprises an assembly line processing system. The apparatus comprises multiple workpieces moving in an assembly line fashion under multiple process stations. The multiple process stations provide different processes onto the workpieces for a sequential processing of the workpieces. The sequential processing action is carried out by the movement of the workpieces under the various process stations.

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 heating a zone of an elongate tubular article. A heat resistant, heat transmitting and heat dispersive shroud material is applied to the zone and a hot gas source is applied to the outside of the shroud material to cause heat to be transmitted through the shroud material to the zone.

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: Process and device for the treatment of lumpy products using process media, the treatment including a predetermined sequence of process steps. A chain of treatment units is moved in a stepwise manner. The product to be treated remains within the same treatment unit for the duration of the sequence of the process steps. A supply unit supplies and removes process media in a stopping-station specific manner so that the process steps can proceed simultaneously in the treatment units.

Abstract: An apparatus for vitrifying a soot preform from which an optical fiber is produced by drawing, is composed of a main vacuum chamber 20 in which a muffle tube 70 for vitrifying the soot preform PF is located, and an auxiliary vacuum chamber 30 mounted on the main vacuum chamber 20 and communicated therewith through a passage, and a gate valve 60 for opening and closing the passage. The muffle tube 70 has a inner surface covered with silicon carbide layer 70a.

Abstract: The present invention is a regenerative gas incineration apparatus having three heat regenerators containing refractory heat exchange material. Gas is cycled through the regenerators first in one direction, then in another. The regenerators are each connected to combustion chamber having an air-fuel system and at least one burner. A system of valved ductwork is utilized to direct gas to be processed into and upwardly through a heating first regenerator into the combustion chamber, downwardly through a cooling second regenerator and exhausting the processed gas to the atmosphere. The temporarily idle third regenerator is purged of partially treated gas remaining from a previous cycle and this gas is directed to the combustion chamber. The flow of the gas through the system is periodically changed enabling the heat recovered by cooling regenerator in the previous cycle to be used to heat incoming gas in the next.

Abstract: Continuous thermal treatment for the strengthening of metallic workpieces is carried out by placing a batch of at least two workpieces on a basket hinged on a continuously advancing conveyor chain; introducing said workpieces in said basket through a first instantaneously opening and closing gate into a uniformly heated first thermal treating step wherein the continuously advancing workpieces are heated at a temperature of about 560.degree. C.; introducing the heated workpieces in said basket through a second instantaneously opening and closing gate into a second thermal treatment step placed immediately after the end of the first step and in communication therewith, by lifting a vat containing a cooling fluid to immerse said workpieces in said basket into the cooling fluid of said vat to rapidly cooling said workpieces to a temperature of about 100.degree. C. and thereafter lowering said vat.

Abstract: A method for distributing, drying and heating a selected mix and weight of metals prior to melting in a furnace, including the steps of placing weights of selected metals in a feeder car according to a predetermined distribution, locating the feeder car beneath the hood of a heater, closing the hood over the car, heating the enclosed metal and transferring the preheated metal from the car to a charge bucket for a furnace. An apparatus is disclosed which includes a feeder car movable between a loading station and a heating and dumping station. A weigh hopper is used for measuring and distributing the selected weights and mix of metals which are then loaded in the feeder car. A hood is adapted to close over the feeder car and seal thereto after which a heater is provided to inject heat through the hood into the enclosed car. A vibratory conveyor is provided which moves the preheated metals from the feeder car into a charge bucket for a furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hot pressing furnace or kiln which is capable of preheating, hot pressing, and cooling a plurality of articles in a sequential and continuous manner. The hot pressing furnace of the present invention comprises an elongated, horizontally disposed furnace capable of holding a plurality of displaceable pusher plates each supporting a die body loaded with refractory or ceramic material to be hot pressed. Each of these plates and the die body supported thereby is sequentially pushed through the preheating zone, a temperature stabilizing and a hot pressing zone, and a cooling zone so as to provide a continuous hot-pressing operation of a plurality of articles.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating or heating and reduction raw material of a metallurgical furnace, utilizing high temperature waste gases which are released from the same furnace, has one or plural numbers of reactor(s) capable of holding the raw materials in the amount which can be charged in plural numbers of processing in the metallurgical furnace, where the reactor(s) is (are) disposed on a bypass passage connected to a pipe of a waste gas processing apparatus for cooling and scrubbing the waste gases from the metallurgical furnace. A part or all the waste gases are introduced into the reactor(s) and come into contact with the raw materials therein when the blowing in the furnace is performed to a full scale, and the reactor is cut off at the initial and final stage of blowing, whereby the heating or the heating and reduction raw material of a metallurgical furnace is effectively performed.

Abstract: Apparatus for treatment of concrete articles having a pre-drying chamber where the articles are pre-treated by being blown with air having a temperature of from 40.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. The apparatus is provided with a treatment channel where the pre-dried articles are received and treated in a temperature-increase zone with a steam-air mixture for a period of 1-6 hours. The articles are treated in this first zone with a temperature increase and the temperature and humidity are gradually increased to their permissible values corresponding to the given type of articles. The articles are moved from the first zone to a second zone constituting an isothermal zone where the articles are treated for a period of 2-6 hours with an air-steam mixture and a temperature from 60.degree. to 90.degree. C. and a relative humidity close to 100%. From this latter zone in the tunnel the articles are moved into a cooling zone where the articles are cooled by blowing of air for a period of from 0.3 to 1.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat treatment of a material passing through a plurality of treatment zones using a heated gaseous treatment medium conducted in a substantially closed circuit through these zones. A heat exchanger is associated with each treatment zone. The heat exchanger defines, in an operative relation with the respective treatment zone a medium discharge path and a medium replacement path which paths are arranged in a heat exchange relationship. The fractional portion of a treatment medium discharged from each treatment zone transfers its heat and energy to the fresh replacement medium. A throttle or flow control in the medium replacement path for each treatment zone permits individualized control of draft and medium turnover according to the different conditions prevailing in each zone. A filter is also provided to prevent impurities in the medium discharge flow path from entering the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A furnace (10) has a preheater zone (12) into which exhaust gases of a combustion chamber (14) are recycled for preheating of articles passing through the furnace. The exhaust gases are supplied to the preheater zone (12) through jet pipes (18) which create a turbulent flow about the articles in the furnace (10). The exhaust gases are withdrawn by a fan (30) which is disposed in a duct (34) adjacent to the furnace entrance (13). To prevent the introduction of ambient air into the furnace (10), a pressure chamber (56), which is maintained at an elevated pressure relative to the ambient air, is provided within the preheater zone (12), with the chamber (56) pressurized by gases supplied by the jet pipes (18). A sealing arrangement defined by the pressure chamber (56) and the articles passing through the furnace prevents the introduction of cool air through the preheater zone (12).

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of cement from raw material to the clinker stage is disclosed. The raw material is first heated in a heat exchanger with the heat energy being supplied by the waste heat from subsequent stages of this process. The heated raw material is then passed into a heat exchanger to be partially calcined. Calcination is completed in another heat exchanger, with the waste heat used in the final calcination being supplemented with combustion of a fuel. The calcined material is then passed to a kiln for conversion to clinker, from which the material is then cooled, the warmed cooling air to be used partially for combustion in the kiln and partially during calcination.

Abstract: A plurality of core rods with parisons thereon are mounted to an indexing head with the core rods disposed in a temperature conditioning chamber and wherein the core rods are simultaneously rotated to effect temperature distribution throughout the parisons. Pluralities of core rods are angularly disposed and simultaneously rotated. The apparatus is particularly useful in orientation injection blow molding, wherein the parison is a relatively thick cross section or wherein the parison thermoplastic has a low thermal conductivity.