Abstract: Various implementations include a water heater system. The system includes a variable speed pump. The variable speed pump has having an inlet and an outlet. The system includes a heat exchanger, having an inlet and an outlet. The heat exchanger outlet is fluidically connected to the variable speed pump inlet. The system includes an output temperature sensor disposed downstream of the heat exchanger outlet. The system includes a controller configured to receive a first temperature reading from the output temperature sensor. The controller is configured to control operation of the variable speed pump to adjust an output flow rate in response to the first temperature reading. The controller is further configured to receive a second temperature reading from a recovery temperature sensor on a storage tank. The controller is configured to turn off the variable speed pump upon a determination that the second temperature reading has reached a maximum temperature.

Abstract: A burner, comprising: an oxygen supply tube and a burner tip defining a concave face; wherein the burner tip defines a main oxygen nozzle having a parabolic shape.

Abstract: A vacuum heat treatment apparatus capable of charging or withdrawing an object into or from either a heating chamber or a cooling chamber by a transport means. The vacuum heat treatment apparatus includes: A vacuum heat treatment apparatus, including: a plurality of heating chambers charged with an object and subjected to a heat treatment process; a rail disposed between the plurality of heating chambers; a bogie moving while being disposed on the rail; a cooling chamber disposed on the bogie and cooling the object; and a transport means disposed on the bogie and provided to charge or withdraw the object into or from any one of the plurality of heating chambers and the cooling chamber.

Abstract: A rock sample includes multiple rock samples that are each obtained from the borehole. The rock samples have been exposed to contamination during a drilling operation to drill the borehole. The rock sample is split into a first sample portion and a second sample portion. The first sample portion is decontaminated with a solvent. The second sample portion is decontaminated by thermovaporization for an initial duration of time at an initial thermovaporization temperature below that of a cracking temperature of an organic matter carried within the rock sample. A difference between a first pyrolysis Tmax value of the first sample portion decontaminated by the solvent and a second pyrolysis Tmax value of the second sample portion decontaminated by the thermovaporization is determined to satisfy a decontamination level threshold. The remainder of rock samples are decontaminated by the thermovaporization in response to determining that the difference satisfies the decontamination level threshold.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elongate surgical repair product comprising a cable of which bending stiffness can be lowered, which fibrous member is a heat-set cable comprising at least 50 mass % of high-performance polyethylene yarn. The product shows very high tenacity, combined with a relatively high initial bending stiffness that is significantly reduced upon bending or flexing the member, without significant dimensional change; and allows both easy and well-controlled handling and good knot tying characteristics. The invention also relates to a method of making said elongate product.

Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature of vehicle bodies, in particular for drying painted vehicle bodies, having a housing in which a temperature control tunnel and at least one pressure chamber separated therefrom by a wall are provided. In said wall there is a plurality of conventional nozzles via which temperature controlled air, which is introduced into the pressure chamber, is applied in particular in the upper region of the vehicle body. At least one nozzle device is provided which has a plurality of nozzle openings on the side thereof facing the vehicle body and at least roughly following the geometry of the lower region of the vehicle body at a distance from the vehicle body, which is smaller than the distance of the other nozzles arranged in the same wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring apparatus comprising a coating probe and a probe holder which is disposed on a wall of a sample chamber. The coating probe is displaceable into the sample chamber on one side and is displaceable out from the sample chamber on the opposite side. As a result, practical investigations of boiler coatings are made possible.

Abstract: An acoustic system having a plurality of speakers applying acoustic energy as a series of acoustic waves to various target sites on the exterior of the reactor to vibrate and deflect the interior surfaces of the reactor structure such that the slag is dislodged from the internal surfaces of the reactor structure. Each speaker generates acoustic waves having a waveform corresponding to the resonant frequency of the ash crystallized on the reactor structures. The acoustic waves induce vibrations and/or deflections in the portion of the reactor wall to which the slag is engaged as well as the slag itself breaking the interstitial bonds of the slag deposit and bonding holding the slag to the wall. The separated or disintegrated slag can then be gravimetrically fall to the bottom of the reactor for removal from the reactor.

Abstract: Methods for removing an organic contaminant from contaminated boron powder include providing a contaminated boron powder, the boron powder being comingled with an organic contaminant. The method also includes placing the contaminated boron powder onto an inert container and placing the inert container and the contaminated boron powder into an enclosed space. The enclosed space environment is altered to create an oxygen deficient atmosphere. A heat source is provided to heat the contaminated boron powder to an elevated temperature. The method includes vaporizing the organic contaminant so as to reduce the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder. Another method includes reducing the amount of the organic contaminant comingled with the boron powder to not more than about 0.1 weight percent of soluble residue.

Abstract: In a method for utilizing phosphorus-containing alternative fuels in the cement clinker production, the alternative fuels are thermolyzed using waste heat from the cement clinker production process in a thermolysis reactor different from a rotary kiln of the cement clinker production process, the energy released thereby is supplied to the cement clinker production process, and the thermolysis residues of the phosphorus-containing alternative fuels are discharged from the thermolysis reactor, so that the thermolysis residues of the phosphorus-containing alternative fuels are mixed in the thermolysis reactor with cement kiln bypass products as halogen carriers and the heavy-metal halides produced are drawn off.

Abstract: A device for managing unburned residues, the device comprising a regenerator (5) having one end connected to a combustion enclosure (3) and an opposite end connected to a fuel admission pipe (4) and a flue gas exhaust pipe (8), the pipes being fitted with valves (2; 10) to alternate between an admission stage and an exhaust stage through the regenerator. A purge circuit (1) connected to the regenerator (5) acts before the exhaust stage to purge the regenerator of the fuel that it contains. The invention provides a corresponding method of managing unburned residues and a burner including such a device.

Abstract: A method of recovering heat from bottom ash that is discharged from a combustion process in a furnace. Fuel and combustion air are fed into a furnace for combusting the fuel in order to generate heat energy to produce steam or hot water in a boiler arrangement, in which flue gases and bottom ash are formed. The bottom ash is discharged from the furnace. Heat is recovered from the flue gases, and heat is recovered to a bottom ash cooling water circuit from the bottom ash discharged from the furnace in order to utilize the recovered heat for preheating the combustion air in a heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention is a burner system that allows ‘quasi continuous burning’ of fluids at very high temperatures by using controlled continuous pulsing explosions or detonations instead of continuous flow and thus creating pulsing pressure waves that can be easily utilised for increasing heat exchanger efficiency. After initiation the explosions or detonations are maintained by use of infrared radiation. The pulsed explosions or detonations send their shock waves directly onto the heat exchanger walls thus introducing a bigger part of energy into the heat exchanger wall then would be possible with any other method of heat exchange. In addition the kinetic energy of the negative acceleration of the mass in the explosion or detonation wave is added as additional heat introduced into the heat exchanger walls.

Abstract: The gasifier operates to mix a start up heat source with crude syngas combustion for driving gasification of waste. Combustion flue gas can be maintained above 650° C. until reaching a quench to prevent formation of dioxins. Excess heat is liberated through a heat recovery unit. The gasifier can operate in a batch mode to process small batches of waste efficiently for small installations, such as ships, apartment buildings, hospitals and residences.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two or three-stage apparatus and method of use to produce high purity silicon, such as for use in solar panels and/or photovoltaics. The device of this invention includes a melting apparatus with a delivery device, a holding apparatus with a tipping or transfer mechanism, and at least one solidification apparatus for receiving a molten feedstock. The optimized designs of individual apparatuses function efficiently in combination to produce high purity silicon.

Abstract: A slag and corrosion control process is described. The process entails: identifying the location of at least one slagging problem area in a boiler; introducing a slag control chemical comprising magnesium oxide or hydroxide into combustion gases in a location identified as having a slagging problem; identifying the location of at least one corrosion problem area in a boiler; and introducing a corrosion control chemical comprising a sulfate salt, bisulfite salt, sulfuric acid, or sulfur into combustion gases in a location identified as having a corrosion problem. In operation, these slag deposits will be sufficiently friable to be removed by relatively moderate application of physical energy, thus saving time and reducing any damage to the tubes by the cleaning process. The slag deposits are less voluminous and less in weight and are removed quickly. It is an advantage of the invention that slag can be removed with little or no shut down of a boiler.

Abstract: A curing oven, particularly for curing a continuous mat of mineral wool fibres mixed with binder has an air injecting system for injecting ambient air into at least one heating zone in circumstances in which there is a risk of inadequate ventilation.

Abstract: A vehicle detector includes a detecting apparatus and a determining apparatus. If a plurality of detection points detected by the detecting apparatus forms a group of detection points, the determining apparatus sets a determining virtual window encompassing the group of detection points and determines whether the group of detection points is likely to represent the one vehicle based on a state of movement of the group of detection points with respect to the determining virtual window.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a heating apparatus includes, a heating chamber, a fan provided in the heating chamber, the fan blowing atmosphere upward, a heater provided in the heating chamber and above the fan, the heater heating the atmosphere blown by the fan, a plurality of first straightening vanes arranged in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be spaced apart from one another in the heating chamber and above the heater, a plurality of second straightening vanes arranged in a substantially horizontal direction so as to be spaced apart from one another in the heating chamber and above the first straightening vanes, each of the plurality of second straightening vanes overlapping both of its adjacent first straightening vanes, and a transfer unit which transfers a board, at least part of the transfer unit being provided in the heating chamber and located above the second straightening vanes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for quenching undesired side reactions of pathogen inactivating compounds in biological materials comprising red blood cells. In a particular embodiment, methods are provided for quenching undesired side reactions of a pathogen inactivating compound that includes a functional group which is, or which is capable of forming, an electrophilic group. In this embodiment, the material is treated with the pathogen inactivating compound and a quencher, wherein the quencher comprises a nucleophilic functional group that is capable of covalently reacting with the electrophilic group. The electrophilic group on the pathogen inactivating compound is preferably a non-radical cationic group. In one embodiment, the pathogen inactivating compound includes a nucleic acid binding ligand and a mustard group, wherein the mustard group is capable of reacting in situ to form the electrophilic group. Preferred quenchers are thiols, such as glutathione.

Abstract: A diffusion furnace of semiconductor manufacturing equipment is cleaned efficiently with a cleaning gas (ClF3) by using an auxiliary cleaner. The auxiliary cleaner is inserted into an inner tube of the wafer diffusion furnace. The auxiliary cleaner has a cylindrical body that occupies a central region of the interior of the furnace but is spaced apart from an inner wall surface of the inner tube. Accordingly, the gas is confined to a peripheral region adjacent the inner wall surface. As a result, a relatively small amount of the cleaning gas is comsumed during the cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for reducing emission from a combustion or gasification plant, said plant having an combustion chamber housing means for insertion of a first fluid into said chamber, introduction of said fluid into said chamber being effective to reduce the emission of at least one substance from said combustion and said fluid having an optimal operating temperature range for which emissions are particularly low. The temperature is established in a volume in said combustion chamber, where said volume includes the position for insertion of said first fluid. A second fluid is inserted into said combustion chamber and is effective to reduce the temperature in said volume in said combustion chamber, if said temperature is established to be higher than said optimal temperature range.

Abstract: A drill stem stabilizer used in a decoking apparatus that includes a drill stem and a drilling structure on which the drill stem is supported for vertical movement above and within a coke drum. The stabilizer includes a bearing and a support member. The bearing is adapted to guide the longitudinal movement of the drill stem. The support member extends laterally from the bearing and attaches to the drilling structure, and maintains the bearing in a position to guide the drill stem as it is moved into or out of the coke drum. In one embodiment, the drilling structure includes a pair of substantially vertical guide rails, and the support member attaches to the guide rails.

Abstract: A coiler drum cleaner for cleaning the drum of a coiler furnace (typically associated with a reversing rolling mill or Steckel mill) is disclosed. The coiler drum cleaner includes a cleaning element rotatably mounted at one end of a longitudinally extending tubular member, the tubular member being movably installed in association with a coiler furnace such that the cleaning element may be inserted into the coiler furnace and moved across the surface of the coiler drum, by moving the tubular member substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the coiler furnace drum. The tubular member also includes means for moving the cleaning element roughly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular member so as to bring the cleaning element into contact with the drum. In use, the cleaning element is inserted into the coiler furnace, brought into contact with the coiler drum and rotated so as to clean the coiler drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for reducing emission from a combustion or gasification plant, said plant having an combustion chamber housing means for insertion of a first fluid into said chamber, introduction of said fluid into said chamber being effective to reduce the emission of at least one substance from said combustion and said fluid having an optimal operating temperature range for which emissions are particularly low. The temperature is established in a volume in said combustion chamber, where said volume includes the position for insertion of said first fluid. A second fluid is inserted into said combustion chamber and is effective to reduce the temperature in said volume in said combustion chamber, if said temperature is established to be higher than said optimal temperature range.

Abstract: A cleaning device is disclosed for cleaning an air port in a wall of a furnace having an air register adjacent to the air port outside of the wall of the furnace, the cleaning device comprising: a cleaning head having a substantially-open, cross-sectional shape conforming to a cross-sectional shape of the air port, said clean head moving reciprocally in and out of the air port, and a head support extending from the cleaning head, through the air register and attached to an actuator, said actuator reciprocally moving the head support, and said head support having perforated walls permitting to flow through the walls.

Abstract: Substrate processing apparatus and method, by which an outside air and a gas-phase backward flow are restrained from entering the inside of a reaction chamber during the inside of a reaction chamber is opened to the outside through a substrate carrying-in/carrying-out opening. This substrate processing apparatus, for example, a vertical CVD apparatus (200) has a gas supply system (240) and a bypass line (264). The gas supply system (240) supplies an inert gas to a space (3a) between an outer tube (1A) and an inner tube (2A) of a reaction furnace (211) in a boat loading term and a boat unloading term. The bypass line (264) exhausts an atmosphere from a reaction chamber (1a) by performing a slow exhaust operation in the boat loading term and the boat unloading term.

Abstract: A device for regulating and cleaning an air port (3) arranged in the wall (2) of a furnace, especially a soda house furnace, comprises a cleaning arrangement (1) and an arrangement (4) for regulating the air flow through the air port, in which an air casing (5) is arranged around the air port on the outer side of the furnace wall, in which a drum (12) is arranged inside the air casing and air-tightly connected to the wall of the air casing located opposite to the furnace wall. An opening defined by at least a cover member (14) of the regulating arrangement and at least one lateral wall of the drum is arranged with a restricted extension in the circumferential direction of the drum so as to achieve an air jet in towards and through the air port (3).

Abstract: Method for purging a furnace comprising a closable processing tube defining in its interior a closable, processing space, a purging gas being flowed along the outer surface of the processing tube separated from the processing gas flow inside the processing tube, wherein said processing gas flow comprises a gas being reactive with air at elevated temperature and said purging gas comprises an inert gas. A furnace assembly for realizing this method is proposed comprising a controller for controlling force connected in a conduit connected to a source of reactive and inert gas respectively. This controller is realized such that only after placing the closure of the processing chamber in the closing position the valve in the supply conduit for reactive gas can be opened and said closure can only be removed from said closing position after said valve in supply conduits for reactive gas has been closed.

Abstract: In furnaces for producing high purity fused silica glass boules, glass particles have a tendency to build-up adjacent the burner hole rim. It was discovered that unburned furnace gases containing silica particles where re-circulated in the furnace close to the burner hole rim and reacted with the oxygen of infiltrated air adjacent the burner hole, and thus deposited such particles in the form of a glassy build-up about the rim of the burner hole. In order to eliminate the source of oxygen adjacent the burner hole rim, a curtain of an inert gas is caused to flow through the burner hole between the sidewalls of the burner hole and the flame of the burner. Accordingly, the curtain of inert gas inhibits the combustion of the unburned hydrogen and carbon monoxide furnace gases adjacent the exit rim of the burner hole and thereby minimizes glass build-up about the burner hole rim.

Abstract: An unnecessary film is removed by cleaning gas flowing in a treatment vessel 8 for depositing a film on an object W to be processed such as a semiconductor wafer. In this case, the cleaning gas is preheated and activated by the gas heating mechanism 52 and the cleaning gas flows in the treatment vessel 8 in this state. By doing this, an unnecessary film in the treatment vessel made of quartz is removed effectively without damaging the treatment vessel.

Abstract: An inside tube whose wall has oxide layer of impurities is provided, wherein the oxide layer is about 400K Å. The inside tube is washed with pure water by level-style washing. Then, taking the inside tube out and soaking it with hydrofluoric acid (HF). Next, the inside tube is taken out from hydrofluoric acid (HF) and it is soaked with pure water. It is dried with ammonia gas(NH3)after the inside tube is taken out from pure water. The inside tube is then washed with pure water by vertical-style washing, and it is dried with nitrogen gas (N2). Finally, the purged inside tube is set into furnace, then proceed a baking process about two hours at low temperature and low pressure to eliminate entirely remained acid from the inside tube, wherein the foregoing temperature range is about between 120° C. to 400° C. and the foregoing pressure is about 0.3 torr. The baking process begins proceeding to follow the purged process has been finished.

Abstract: Organic gases and the like containing poisonous dioxin and so on which are evaporated from articles when they are subjected to a heat treatment such as degreasing, are led from a muffle where they are heated into radiant heating tubes located outside the muffle and loaded with a negative pressure, and they are discharged into the air on account of the negative pressure working in the heating tubes after they have been substantially completely pyrolyzed in the heating tubes.

Abstract: Method for purging a furnace comprising a closable processing tube defining in its interior a closable, processing space, a purging gas being flowed along the outer surface of the processing tube separated from the processing gas flow inside the processing tube, wherein said processing gas flow comprises a gas being reactive with air at elevated temperature and said purging gas comprises an inert gas. A furnace assembly for realizing this method is proposed comprising a controller for controlling force connected in a conduit connected to a source of reactive and inert gas respectively. This controller is realized such that only after placing the closure of the processing chamber in the closing position the valve in the supply conduit for reactive gas can be opened and said closure can only be removed from said closing position after said valve in supply conduits for reactive gas has been closed.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing an electronic circuit includes disposing an electronic device on a circuit substrate and hot melting a solder formed on the electronic device or the circuit substrate to bond the electronic device and the circuit substrate. The process includes the steps of feeding a liquid onto lands on the circuit substrate, aligning and mounting the electronic device on the lands, placing the circuit substrate in a treating vessel and heating the circuit substrate. The heating step includes controlling a pressure of an atmosphere in the treating vessel, hot-melting the solder to prevent at least a portion of the liquid from evaporating until the electronic device and the circuit substrate are bonded and to permit the liquid to evaporate after the electronic device and the circuit substrate are bonded.

Abstract: A revolving drum containing a rolling element is provided that includes a member for the cleaning of the inner wall areas of the revolving drum which has at least two cleaning zones. The cleaning zones include projecting cleaning elements and lie in tandem in an axial direction of the revolving drum. They include a fastening apparatus disposed on a front end pointing toward the infeed side of the drum and include a revolving articulation by which the rolling element can be fastened to a non-revolving component of a head of the revolving drum. The cleaning zones comprise generated surfaces of the revolving drum which are at an angle to one another.

Abstract: A method for cooling the heating furnace during the dormant stage of the heating furnace; said method surely and sufficiently shortens the cooling time of the heating furnace irrespective of seasons such as summer or winter, and yet, without damaging the inner furnace refractories. Furthermore, the method is applicable to ceramic fiber furnaces. The method comprises: inserting, from an extracting port to the inside of the heating furnace, a plurality of lances being arranged along the width direction of the extracting port of said furnace while taking a predetermined distance between each other; and spraying, from a plurality of spray nozzles provided on the lances, a coolant in the form of a mist against a scale deposited inside the heating furnace. Optionally, a cooling fan is provided to forcibly supply a cooling air into the heating furnace.

Abstract: A rotary valve regenerative oxidizer generally includes a combustion chamber communicating with a first end of plurality of pie shaped heat exchange chambers and a rotary valve communicating with a second end of the heat exchange chambers. A contaminated gas is directed through an inlet of the rotary valve, through a first group of heat exchange chambers, and into the combustion chamber thereby heating and purifying the gas. The heated and purified gas is directed from the combustion chamber through a second group of heat exchange chambers and through an outlet of the rotary valve. A portion of the heated and purified gas received from the outlet of the rotary valve is directed through a heating element 56 for heating the gas to a temperature sufficient to volatilize organic solids for purging a third group of heat exchange chambers. The gas is directed from the third group of heat exchange chambers into the combustion chamber and out of the oxidizer through the second group of heat exchange chambers.

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: A Pyrocleaning Furnace and Thermal Oxidizer System which degreases metal components and comprises an oven, an oxidizer, a system gas supply means, a system gas exhaust means, and a first heat exchanger. The degreasing is accomplished by first transporting the metal components through the oven and exposing the oil coated metal components to hot gases which have a temperature above the vaporization point of the oil, but not one that is exceedingly high thereby also preventing the thickening of the oxide layer of the metal components. The hot gases are introduced into oven by way of the system gas supply means and do not include products of combustion (indirect heating). Since the gases are at a temperature above the vaporization point of the oil, upon contact with the metal components, the gases cause the oil to evaporate from the metal components. The resultant hydrocarbon-filled surrounding gases are then quickly evacuated from the oven and transported to the oxidizer.

Abstract: After several drying cycles in a pneumatically conveying tobacco drying apparatus, the interior of the drying apparatus becomes built-up with tobacco including casings and other additives thereby causing decreased flow of air entrained with tobacco as well as potential contamination with tobacco pieces from previously dried tobacco. Cleaning of the built-up materials is accomplished by recirculating superheated air through the tobacco drying apparatus. The air is heated to a preselected high temperature of at least 430.degree. F. at a rate, generally not to exceed 4.degree. F. per minute and circulated through the drying apparatus for a predetermined period of time. During heating and recirculating air at the preselected temperature, the tobacco materials built up on the drying apparatus are cooked and removed by continual purging with the recirculating air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of heat-treating an oxygen-sensitive workpiece to minimize any oxidation of the workpiece, as well as an improved door seal specially suited for use with oxygen-sensitive products. In the method, an oven has an oven chamber and an outer housing, with an enclosure being defined therebetween. The workpiece is placed in the oven chamber and the chamber is sealed. Heated inert gas is circulated within the enclosure to heat the oven chamber and to hold it at a desired treatment temperature. The oven chamber is then cooled to a threshold temperature of the workpiece using inert gas. The chamber is then cooled further by circulating aerobic gas, preferably ambient air, within the enclosure. Another embodiment of the invention provides an oven with a housing forming an oven chamber, the oven chamber having a door opening in one of said walls.

Abstract: A device for drilling a layer of coke within a reactor to effect the decoking of the reactor includes a decoking tool arranged at one end of a hose for conveying a decoking fluid to the tool. The decoking tool has a first part and a second part coaxial with the first part. The second part has means for ejecting the decoking fluid against the coke layer, including a first ejection means for ejecting the fluid in a substantially axial direction downwardly to penetrate the coke layer, a second ejection means ejecting the fluid in a substantially lateral direction and a third ejection means for ejecting the fluid in a substantially upward direction to remove any coke accumulated above the tool.

Abstract: A device enabling air-blast nozzles to be replaceably mounted in the walls of reaction chambers, or ovens used for processing materials, in order to remove material caked or accumulated on the inside surface of the walls (2). Fitted in the wall (2) is an exchangeable pipe (1) which extends from the outside through part of the wall towards the inside surface, a nozzle (5) being mounted at the oven end of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing disturbances caused by depositions on a feeding apparatus for a combustion or gasification plant. Secondary air is fed via perforated tubes 13 which by affecting the emission levels of the process with longer or shorter time intervals are inserted and withdrawn from the chamber, while being cleaned from slag, dust and other deposits outside the chamber by wire brushes 21. The combustion process may continue by using the remaining tubes while one or more are being cleaned.

Abstract: A heat exchanger burn-out process for regenerative thermal oxidizers includes the steps of passing a super-heated gas through one of the heat exchangers and into the combustion chamber. The gas is preferably heated in a selectively opened injection line that includes a burner. The burner is designed to superheat the injection gas to a cleaning temperature. The cleaning temperature is selected to be high enough as to volatilize and/or combust the organic solids that are expected within the heat exchanger. The injection line is associated with one of the heat exchangers, and the other two of the normal three heat exchangers on the regenerative thermal oxidizer are switched between a supplemental injection mode, wherein cooling gas is injected through that heat exchanger, and an outlet mode wherein gas from the combustion chamber leads outwardly through the heat exchanger to an outlet manifold.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus includes a process tube for heat treatment of an object to be heat treated, and a load lock chamber linked to the process tube and for housing the object to be heat treated and maintaining either a vacuum or maintaining an arbitrary inert gas atmosphere, and with the load lock chamber being provided with an elevator for raising the object to be heat treated on a loading mechanism and into the process tube, and a nozzle unit provided with a plural number of gas emission openings in an inner wall of the load lock chamber on a side opposing the elevator, and to uniformly emit gas to the object to be heat treated and which is on the loading mechanism. By such a configuration, it is possible to emit gas uniformly to the object for heat treatment and which is on the loading mechanism for the object for heat treatment.

Abstract: The subject invention encompasses a thermal processing furnace having an elongated cylindrical processing chamber surrounding a tower assembly capable of receiving one or more articles to be processed. A pedestal assembly supports the tower assembly and contains a quartz door thereon which is axially translatable relative to the processing chamber into an inserted position where the tower assembly is inserted into the processing chamber. A quartz flange located along the perimeter of an opening at the end of the processing chamber contacts the quartz door forming a quartz seal therewith when the pedestal assembly is moved into the inserted position. A scavenger cavity is located at the end of the chamber having the opening therein and is in fluid flow relationship with the contact area between the quartz flange and the quartz door forming a quartz seal. Gas from within the processing chamber which may leak through the quartz seal is captured by the scavenger cavity and evacuated by an evacuation means.

Abstract: Both aluminum scrap covered with a volatile coating and a heated airstream having a low oxygen content pass through a kiln where the airstream causes the coating to volatilize. The temperature of the airstream, where it enters the kiln, is maintained essentially constant, slightly below the melting temperature of the aluminum, and likewise the temperature of the airstream is maintained essentially constant where the airstream leaves the kiln, this being achieved by varying the mass flow of the airstream to compensate for variances in the nature and mass of the aluminum scrap within the kiln. Beyond the kiln the airstream enters an afterburner where it is heated in the presence of sufficient oxygen to effect combustion of the volatile components of the coating. The airstream then passes through a heat exchanger and back to the kiln. The mass flow within the kiln is controlled by diverting some of the airstream from the heat exchanger or by varying the speed of the fan which creates the airstream.

Abstract: An excellent method of firing ceramic materials is provided wherein bending or deformation of a supporting plate which supports a green shaped body of the ceramic materials, deformation of the green shaped body caused by its own weight, and cracks and breakage of fired shaped body, during the firing of the shaped body of the ceramic materials, are eliminated. The method comprises mounting a green supporting plate on a fired supporting plate, mounting a green structural body of ceramic raw materials on the green supporting plate, and firing the green structural body on the green supporting plate.