In an embodiment, a heating apparatus for heating an electrode group structure includes a chamber, a heat conduction plate, a temperature adjustment unit, a pressure adjustment unit, and a controller. In a state where the heat conduction plate is in contact with the current collectors of a plurality of the electrode group structures in a heating room inside chamber, the heat conduction plate enables heat to be conducted to the current collectors of the electrode group structures. The controller controls operation of the temperature adjustment unit and the pressure adjustment unit in a state where the heat conduction plate is in contact with the current collectors of the electrode group structures.

A temperature controller for a gas oven includes a control module, a temperature measurement module, a prompt module, and a gas regulating module. The control module is connected to the temperature measurement module, the prompt module, and the gas regulating module, respectively, to transmit a signal. The temperature measurement module is arranged in the oven to measure a temperature in the oven and return the temperature to the control module. The prompt module is configured to receive an excessive temperature or a normal temperature of the control module, and provide a prompt. The gas regulating module is configured to receive a temperature and a control quantity returned by the control module, and control an air intake quantity, to adjust the temperature or turn on or turn off the oven. A micro-switch is provided and an on signal and an off signal of the micro-switch are transmitted to the control module.

A method for heating ware in a kiln. The ware space of the kiln includes a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a second direction. The method includes heating the ware space in a first heating stage, a second heating stage, and a third heating stage. At least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) in one of the heating stages, a temperature control zone oriented in the first direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the first direction; and (ii) in one of the heating stages, one temperature control zone oriented in the second direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a set point temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the second direction, wherein the first direction is a vertical direction and the second direction is a horizontal direction.

A method for heating ware in a kiln. The ware space of the kiln includes a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a second direction. The method includes heating the ware space in a first heating stage, a second heating stage, and a third heating stage. At least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) in one of the heating stages, a temperature control zone oriented in the first direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the first direction; and (ii) in one of the heating stages, one temperature control zone oriented in the second direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the second direction.

Examples are described for predicting a thermal profile of a product in an oven using temperature measurements for each zone of the oven. An example method of producing a predicted thermal profile of a product in an oven includes measuring the temperature of each oven zone using a zone temperature sensor as the product transitions through the zone, and calculating the predicted thermal profile of the product using a baseline temperature profile and the measured temperatures of each zone at the time the product is in each zone. Parameters of the predicted thermal profile may be compared to thermal targets corresponding to a process specification for the product in order to determine whether the product was processed according to the process specification.

A method for heating ware in a kiln. The ware space of the kiln includes a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a first direction, and a plurality of temperature control zones oriented in a second direction. The method includes heating the ware space in a first heating stage, a second heating stage, and a third heating stage. At least one of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) in one of the heating stages, a temperature control zone oriented in the first direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the first direction; and (ii) in one of the heating stages, one temperature control zone oriented in the second direction has a setpoint temperature that is different from a setpoint temperature of one other temperature control zone oriented in the second direction.

A rapid thermal processing method and a rapid thermal processing device are provided. The rapid thermal processing method includes the following operations. A wafer is provided. A first heating operation is performed on the wafer to heat the wafer to a first temperature. The wafer is controlled to start rotating. The first temperature is maintained for a first predetermined time. A second heating operation is performed on the wafer to heat the wafer from the first temperature to a second temperature, and the second temperature is maintained for a second predetermined time. A third heating operation is performed on the wafer to heat the wafer from the second temperature to a third temperature, and the third temperature is maintained for a third predetermined time.

A metal furnace header gate system haying a recirculation port in the furnace, a hot gas generator, a gas blower, and a furnace door. The door has an embedded gas manifold and outlet ports that each connect the manifold to a directional nozzle. The blower draws exhaust from the recirculation port into the hot gas generator, which generates additional exhaust and mixes the exhaust gases together. The blower forces this exhaust mixture into the manifold, through the nozzles, and into the furnace. A computer controls the blower and the hot gas generator to regulate the system.

System and method for using fast response heaters to pre-heat metal before entering a metal treatment furnace, which may improve control over metal processing, especially in response to changes in material, mass flow rate, line speed, and/or desired treatment process. Fast response heaters may be used with control systems to adjust the output of the fast response heater based on operator inputs, direct or indirect sensing of process parameters, and/or the use of thermal models to quickly adjust fast response heater output while a metal treatment furnace remains at a constant temperature or slowly transitions into a new operating state. The resulting gains in process control result in higher quality products, reduced scrap, and increases in line speed and output.

The present disclosure is related to a method of producing a fired ceramic article. The method may include: heating a ceramic green body in a kiln, and controlling oxygen concentration in the kiln such that the oxygen concentration swings during the heating of the ceramic green body.