Abstract: A system and equipment to measure and control the feeding of load material into an electrical arc furnace (EAF) includes an automatic control device feeding the load material; a measuring device positioned between the EAF and the tilting platform that includes an upper plate adapted to slide against the EAF, a lower plate engaged to the tilting platform, and a ring structure therebetween having a peripheral ring wall, a ring plate extending across the ring structure, and a contact member coupled to the ring plate that upperly contacts the upper plate and lowerly approaches, without contacting the lower plate; and one or more sensors measuring a deformation of the ring plate upon application of a load on the upper plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for production of graphite bodies. Carbon bodies are formed from a mixture of electric calcined coke particles calcined at a temperature between 1200 and 3000° C. and a binder where the coke particles have sulphur-and nitrogen content varying between 0 and 1.5% by weight and where the coke particles have an average sulphur content less than 0.6% by weight and a nitrogen content of less than 0.6% by weight, baking of the carbon bodies at a temperature between 700 and 1400° C. and graphitizing of the baked carbon bodies at a temperature above 2300° C.

Abstract: Provided is a data processing apparatus that may include a storage unit, a first calculator, and a second calculator. The storage unit may store a plurality of training data obtained by motion sensing. The first calculator may calculate a first transformation matrix by performing a regression analysis for the plurality of training data. The second calculator may calculate first output data by applying the first transformation matrix to first input data.

Abstract: Graphite is produced from powder as a carbon source by means of a graphitization furnace. The graphitization furnace is comprised of: an electrically conductive crucible including a hollow configured to house the powder; an electrode including a columnar shaft and a head provided at an end of the shaft, the head having a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a hemisphere, a column with a rounded edge, a cone, and a cone with a rounded tip; and a power source configured to apply electric current to the powder through the crucible and the electrode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for supersonically injecting oxygen into a furnace, in particular a cupola furnace, in which the total oxygen required for the furnace operation is injected with the aid of two distinct circuits, i.e., the first circuit comprising at least one supersonic oxygen injecting nozzle and a second circuit which comprises additionally oxygen injecting means and is connected to the first circuit by pressure-sensitive means, such as a discharging device (or upstream pressure adjuster), in such a way that a stable pressure is obtained in the first circuit upon the attainment of the maximum flowrate thereof, wherein the first circuit can consists of several supersonic nozzle groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for heat treatment of powdery products (1), in particular powders, characterized in that said products are heated right up to a temperature of at least 700° C. in a passage tube (5) for current, positioned tilted with respect to a horizontal plane (P) and preferably substantially vertically with respect to this plane, said products flowing in said tube essentially by gravity. A device for applying this method is also described.

Abstract: The furnace comprises a tubular inner chamber for the treatment of the raw material, mounted inside the enveloping body of the furnace which is insulated from the exterior and is provided with internal resistor systems for heating the chamber of the furnace by radiation, comprising means for feeding raw material at one end and means for controlling the output of completed product at the other end of the treatment chamber of the furnace, inside which a worm screw, driven in rotation from the exterior, is mounted rotatably, respective percussion devices being incorporated in the ends of the screw to prevent compaction of the mass on the screw.

Abstract: The invention relates to the emptying of melting vessels (1) by tipping. According to the invention, the melting vessel (1) is placed on column-shaped bases (6). During the tipping process, the melting vessel (1) is raised at the side and the base supports (7) of the opposite side are used as the pivot or axis of rotation. This ensures that the discharge opening (4) and the slag overflow edge (5) are not moved very far from their original position.

Abstract: The furnace comprises a tubular inner chamber for the treatment of the raw material, mounted inside the enveloping body of the furnace which is insulated from the exterior and is provided with internal resistor systems for heating the chamber of the furnace by radiation, comprising means for feeding raw material at one end and means for controlling the output of completed product at the other end of the treatment chamber of the furnace, inside which a worm screw, driven in rotation from the exterior, is mounted rotatably, respective percussion devices being incorporated in the ends of the screw to prevent compaction of the mass on the screw.

Abstract: A mercury retorting apparatus, a retorting system, and a method for continuous removal of mercury from dry, semi-granular, and sludge materials contaminated with mercury without shutting down the system for removal of accumulated liquid mercury, water, and dust particles. The retorting apparatus comprises a powered screw feed assembly having a feed tube with a closely fitting feed screw therein. The screw feed assembly feeds the material from the lower portion of a hopper configured to contain a quantity thereof into a rotatably powered retorting tube in which a vacuum is drawn. The material forms a seal within the powered screw feed assembly against vacuum loss in the retorting tube during operation thereof. A first rotatable seal between the feed tube and retorting tube prevents vacuum loss therebetween. An elongate electric kiln encloses the mid-portion of the retorting tube.

Abstract: A channel arrangement for discharging molten metal from a smelting furnace, includes a channel (2) with two sidewalls (4, 5) and a channel bottom (6) made of a fireproof material. The channel (2) is arranged within a formwork trough (3) having receiving spaces (14) abutting lateral formwork walls (12, 13). A respective transversely moveable push wall (7, 8) is associated with each of the formwork walls (12, 13), while the receiving space (14) can be filled with a fireproof material, thereby providing a replacement sidewall. As soon as a channel (2) is worn, the channel is taken out of service and the bottom region is exposed. The remaining portion of the sidewalls (4, 5) together with the replacement sidewalls positioned in the receiving space (14) is displaced by a predetermined distance, and subsequently a fireproof material is poured into the channel bottom (6) as well as into the new receiving space (14) created behind the replacement sidewalls.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting carbonaceous raw materials into a carbonized product and activating the product, includes a device for heating the carbonaceous raw materials to form a carbonized product, and equipment for activating the carbonized product and supplying by-product of the activation to the device to help in the heating. The device heats a column of carbonaceous raw materials to pyrolize it and form a carbonized product and vapors and gases. Upward flow of the gases and vapors is restrained so that they flow, with the carbonized product, out of the bottom of the column where they are burned in a combustion box and the resultant hot gases used to heat the column through a tube defining the column. Descending carbonized materials pass rapidly through the combustion box into the equipment which through electical resistance heating and steam, activates the carbonized materials and passes gas and vapor by-products thereby created up into the combustion box to help fuel the heating of the raw materials.

Abstract: An electric furnace and method thereof for electric calcining of carbonaceous material for the production of graphite or graphite-containing material, wherein the carbonaceous material is supplied to the top of a vertically arranged furnace having a cylindrical cross section. The furnace is equipped with one top electrode and one bottom electrode supplied with electric current for heating of the carbonaceous material. The calcined carbonaceous material is discharged at the bottom of the furnace in one stream in the center of the furnace and one stream near the periphery of the furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus for the activation or reactivation of a descending column of carbon in a tubular reactor that consists of two or more sequential sections, each section provided with an steam inlet, a graphite block positioned at its top, means to effect homogenization of the carbon granules, and a separate and independently controlled electric circuit, wherein the descending carbon in each section is channeled to a diameter that is about half of the diameter of the main portion of the vertical tubular reactor, the slope of the constricting channel being about 45.degree., the lower electrical terminal of the electric circuit serving said section being positioned above or at the upper portion of the homogenizing device.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the activation or reactivation of carbon in a tubular reactor that consists of two or more sequential sections, each section containing a descending column of carbon, with the inlets to introduce steam into any one or more of the sections, wherein the the bottom of each section is provided with a hollow splitter box that is integral with the vertical reactor and and is furnished with interior pairs of alternately sloped perforated steel plates which direct the carbon in opposing patterns of descending motion to promote intermixing and homogenization.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with an apparatus for supply of molten metal including a holding furnace pivotable about an axis having a metal chamber for holding molten metal, an outlet for supplying molten metal from said chamber and an inlet well communicating with said metal chamber, said inlet well being positioned on or adjacent the pivot axis of the holding furnace and displaced along the pivot axis from said outlet, a charging means for intermittently supplying a controlled flow of molten metal to the inlet well of the holding furnace, and a control means for varying the degree of pivot of the holding furnace to maintain a predetermined supply of molten metal. Also claimed as a holding furnace for the supply of molten metal, and a method for supplying molten metal using such apparatus.

Abstract: Charging device for supplying liquid metal to an electric furnace with a shaft 15, the device consisting of a balcony 19 extending the shaft 15 of the furnace 10 laterally and communicating with the hearth of the furnace 10.

Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for continuous supply of heat into electrically conductive bulk goods by exploiting the electrical resistance thereof in an oven chamber with an inlet opening and a drawing-off apparatus for continuous throughput of bulk goods, wherein during the throughput of material, electrical energy in the material is conducted, and to an apparatus for continuous supply of heat into electrically conductive bulk goods by exploitation of the electrical resistance thereof, in an oven chamber (1) with an inlet opening (15) and a continuous drawing-off apparatus (9) for the bulk goods, and with at least one pair of electrodes (14, 16, 19) arranged one above the other, via which the electrical energy in the material is conducted during the continuous throughput of material.

Abstract: A high-bandwidth continuous-flow arc furnace for stream welding applications includes a metal mass contained in a crucible having an orifice. A power source charges an electrode for generating an arc between the electrode and the mass. The arc heats the metal mass to a molten state. A pressurized gas source propels the molten metal mass through the crucible orifice in a continuous stream. As the metal is ejected, a metal feeder replenishes the molten metal bath. A control system regulates the electrode current, shielding gas pressure, and metal source to provide a continuous flow of molten metal at the crucible orifice. Independent control over the electrode current and shield gas pressure decouples the metal flow temperature and the molten metal flow rate, improving control over resultant weld characteristics.

Abstract: A tilting device for a direct current arc furnace and a process are disclosed for completely emptying the furnace while the furnace is operated with a continuous scrap supply through a lateral opening in the furnace vessel and removal bottoms. The scrap chute should remain in the opening of the furnace during the loading, melting, deslagging and tapping operations; it should be swiveled away only during the emptying of the furnace. The disclosed tilting device has a cam on the rolling cradle, so that the rolling mid-point remains at the zero position in a tilting range from .+-.5.degree. to .+-.15.degree., and when the furnace is completely emptied it moves to another position in a parallel direction to the bottom tapping opening. The position of the bottom tap opening changes only insignificantly in order to protect the parts of the bottom electrode located outside the vessel of the furnace from heat radiated by steel in the casting ladle.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the activation or reactivation of carbon in a tubular reactor that consists of two or more sequential sections, each section containing a descending column of carbon, with inlets to introduce steam into any one or more of the sections, and wherein the electric current is fed into the column of carbon of each such section via a graphite block serving as an electrode and positioned at the center of the top of the column by attachment to a steel plate that includes a flat or a V-shaped shelf and that is provided with openings to allow the released gases and vapors to escape.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying moist or wet carbon particles in a series of tubular drying sections by electrical resistance heating where the current is introduced into the column of carbon particles through a graphite block positioned at the center of the top of the column and suspended above the top of the column by attachment to a steel plate that includes a flat or a V-shaped shelf and that is provided with openings to allow the moisture to escape in the form of steam, and wherein the section consisting of graphite block, carbon column, and steel plate may provide entry of the carbon into a second or into a sequential plurality of similar sections provided with similar graphite blocks similarly positioned.

Abstract: The furnace for melting materials with a low melting point with improved casting duct comprises a furnace body which surrounds a crucible for containing the molten material and which is provided with first resistors for heating the crucible, the casting duct having an inlet arranged above the level of the free surface of the molten material in the crucible and being fed by a ladle for removing molten material, the casting duct being further provided with second resistors for heating thereof in order to prevent accidental cooling of the molten material along the duct.

Abstract: A direct resistance heating electrical furnace of the type in which a bed of electrically conductive elements are located between two spaced electrodes in the furnace, and a method of controlling the operation of same, are provided. The furnace is of the type having a generally tubular heating chamber with a pair of spaced electrodes associated therewith and conveniently located one at each end of the tubular heating chamber. The furnace has feed or discharge control means and the rate of feed or discharge is controlled according to the electrical resistance or current flow between the electrodes. No temperature measurement is required to control the furnace operation.

Abstract: A lengthwise graphitization furnace for the conversion of a string of amorphous carbon bodies to graphite has an open semi-cylindrical shell of corrugated steel modules lined with cast refractory. The combination of the corrugated shell and cast refractory liner contributes to faster heat transfer by both convection and radiation, and to greater mechanical and thermal stability. The furnace is designed in modules allowing for easy replacement of worn components.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an active carbon using a carbon-containing material inclusive of an used active carbon as a raw material wherein the carbon-containing raw material is carbonized in a carbonizing unit to produce a carbonized material having electric conductivity and the carbonized material is then activated in an activating treatment unit installed downstream of the carbonizing unit in an atmosphere of steam with a power of electricity induced by electric discharge as well as a function of self-heating of the carbonized material with its own electric resistance are disclosed. The carbonizing unit is constructed in the form of a thermal radiation type batch furnace including an outer wall and a vessel mounted on a firing lattice in the outer wall while a heating chamber is formed therebetween.

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 method and an apparatus for producing an active carbon using a carbon-containing material inclusive of an used active carbon as a raw material wherein the carbon-containing raw material is carbonized in a carbonizing unit to produce a carbonized material having electric conductivity and the carbonized material is then activated in an activating treatment unit installed downstream of the carbonizing unit in an atmosphere of steam with a power of electricity induced by electric discharge as well as a function of self-heating of the carbonized material with its own electric resistance are disclosed. The carbonizing unit is constructed in the form of a thermal radiation type batch furnace including an outer wall and a vessel mounted on a firing lattice in the outer wall while a heating chamber is formed therebetween.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: In an apparatus and process for the activation of carbon from carbon feedstocks by electrical resistance heating in the presence of steam, which comprises preheating particles of the carbon feedstock in a preheater, having the particles descend by gravity into and through a vertical reactor connected to the preheater, introducing steam at the bottom of the reactor so that it moves upward against the downward flow of the particles, passing an electric current through the particles in the reactor, and discharging the activated carbon from the bottom of the reactor, the improvements that comprise feeding the carbon feedstock through the side of the preheater, controlling the electric input, having the reactor project into the preheater, using a knife-gate valve and a discharge-limiting device to control the discharge of the activated carbon, using a carbon feedstock that contains up to about 25% of organic volatiles, maintaining the preheating temperature within a range from about 550.degree. C. to about 750.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing an extended length single crystal of a Group III-V or II-VI material such as GaAs by moving a crucible containing a seed crystal and precompounded crystal material encapsulated in a molten encapsulant preferably vertically in a multi-zone furnace between two furnace zones maintained at temperatures above the melting point of the encapsulant but below the melting point of the crystal material through an intervening short "spike" zone maintained at a temperature at least equal to the melting temperature of the crystal material to crystallize the precompounded crystal material with the seed crystal, and tipping the crucible in the furnace, e.g. by tipping the furnace with the crucible in it, to decant the encapsulant prior to recovering the crystal.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for quantitatively analyzing a gaseous mixture for its components. A predetermined volume of a gaseous mixture of combustion products component is collected in a gas mixer up to a preselected pressure. A portion of the mixture is discharged successively through the tubular column and a sample chamber for a predetermined time period with the mixture being initially at the preselected pressure in the volume means. Detection of delayed output of gas constitutents from the column provides an analysis of constituents. The apparatus further comprises a furnace, a magazine for holding the plurality of test samples, a transfer device connected to the furnace for sequentially transferring a successive sample from the magazine to the furnace, and a furnace seal integral with the transfer device for temporal sealing of the furnace from ambient atmosphere after the sample is transferred to the furnace until subsequent transferral.

Abstract: This is a process for producing high quality zirconium or hafnium sponge. It is especially useful for producing the very high purity zirconium which may be used to line the inner surface zirconium of Zircaloy tubing for nuclear fuel rods. The process uses a combination reduction-distillation vessel which is directly fed with zirconium or hafnium tetrachloride from a molten salt sublimer. A precharge of magnesium chloride is used to prevent reduction of metal outside the inner liner, and thereby facilitate removal of the inner liner after reduction and distillation. The agitator for the molten salt sublimer preferably utilizes a molten metal seal around the agitator shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically heating conductive bulk materials by resistance Joule effect heating includes end and side walls defining an oven chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of pairs of generally planar electrode plates are angularly mounted with respect to the opposed end walls of the chamber and are electrically disconnected from one another. The electrode plates mounted to each end wall are disposed at the same angle and are arranged such that the upper edge of each electrode plate is at a different distance from the end wall than the lower edge of the plate, so that the planes of the plurality of electrode plates mounted to each end wall are substantially parallel and vertically displaced from each other. The electrical supply for each pair of electrodes plates is electrically isolated from that of each other pair. The amount of energy supplied to each pair of electrode plates is adjustable.

Abstract: An apparatus 12 is specially adapted to conserve time, energy, labor and enhance safety when loading a column 10 of cylindrical carbon electrodes or carbon bodies of uniform cross section in end-abutting relationship into a lengthwise graphitization furnace 20.After aligning a column of electrodes 10 on a stock aligning conveyor, a rigid truss 12 is fitted with chain slings 16, actuator mechanisms 14 and positioning jigs 59 holding the column 10 in precise axial alignment. Support or gooseneck structure 54 rests on the furnace structure and may be adjusted to center the column 10 vertically by shims 64 with respect to the head electrodes 22 of the furnace.

Abstract: A semi-continuous vacuum heat-treating furnace of two-chambers and one-door type is composed of a vacuum heating chamber which includes a heating element and a heat insulation material, both being stable in chemical property and strength in vacuum condition and atmospheric pressure at high temperature, a cooling chamber which is associated with the vacuum heating chamber, and an intermediate vacuum door which separates the vacuum heating chamber and the cooling chamber from each other.

Abstract: A shaft furnace comprises a body (2) made up of superimposed heated sections (3,4,5,6 and 7) each of which is provided with a tubular member (10,11,12,13 and 14) having its walls arranged at an angle of 3 to 4 deg. to the longitudinal axis of the furnace. The tubular members (10,11,12,13 and 14) are partially inserted one into another with a gap (15) formed therebetween; the opening area of the lower portion (16) of each tubular member (10-14) of each section (3-7) is 20 to 25 percent smaller than that of the upper portion (17) of the adjacent underlying tubular member (11) of the furnace section (4).In the area of the gaps (15), the upper portions of the tubular members are formed with pockets (30) which are connected with outlet pipes (20) intended for discharging gaseous and vaporous fumes from the furnace shaft.

Abstract: Electrical resistance furnace and manufacturing plant for the preparation of silicon carbide utilizing a resistance core of carbon horizontally inserted within the load and having a broken ring configuration.

Abstract: Amorphous carbon bodies forming a lengthwise series horizontal string or column 26 are converted to graphite by the Joule effect in a semi-cylindrical metal shell 20 with a refractory lining 22 and containing particulate thermal insulation medium 28. When the conversion to graphite is complete the insulation medium is dumped through the bottom of the metal shell into a hopper 50 and transferred for re-use while hot. Air pollution control is facilitated and energy and capital costs are lowered by specialization of equipment, retention of sensible heat and shorter cycle times, allowing operation with less equipment and higher production rates.

Abstract: A sample loading mechanism includes a hopper mounted to a base for positioning the hopper with respect to a furnace for releasably holding a relatively small sample in relation to a crucible used with the furnace. The hopper includes a floor with a movable element for alternately closing the floor for holding the sample and opening the floor permitting the sample to drop into the crucible. A plate is slideably mounted to the base above the hopper and includes an aperture which aligns with the hopper in a first position for admitting a sample to the hopper and is slideable to a second position for selectively sealing the upper end of the hopper. An actuator is provided for selectively controlling the movable element of the hopper for dropping the sample into a crucible aligned below the hopper.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric furnace for heating by passing a current through the charge, and more particularly, a continuous furnace in which the charge is a carbonaceous material.The furnace according to the invention is provided with a device for allowing non-reactive gas to be circulated in the opposite direction to the charge.The furnace according to the invention is used, in particular, for calcining anthracite.

Abstract: In the fusion of vanadium pentoxide powder heat is generated in a melt of the powder by passing an electrical current along a current path in the melt and additional vanadium pentoxide powder is fed onto the surface of the melt. A furnace is used which has an overflow weir.