An electrode for the ohmic heating of a particulate liquid flowing therethrough having an inlet and an outlet that are fluidly connected and are arranged in such a way that there is a change of direction of 60°-120° between the inlet and the outlet. A cell for the ohmic heating of a particulate liquid flowing therethrough may have two such electrodes and a dielectric tube that fluidly connects the two electrodes. An apparatus for the ohmic heating of a particulate liquid flowing therethrough may have six such cells that are fluidly connected in series and are electrically connected to a triphasic power supply, so that the increase of temperature of the liquid at any cell is substantially the same.

A heater for heating a conductive liquid includes a two-dimensional array of rod-like electrodes (22, 122, 322, 422, 522) extending parallel to one another, an electrical power supply having a plurality of poles, and power switches to connect different ones of the electrodes to different poles so that current flows between the poles through the liquid. The array desirably includes outer electrodes defining the boundary (24, 424) of the array and inner electrodes disposed within this boundary. The array may have regular or irregular spacings between the electrodes. The array can provide numerous different connection schemes to vary the electrical resistance between the poles and thus vary the heating rate. The array can be arranged to provide substantially equal currents through three poles of a three-phase power supply.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a glass article in which molten glass is heated in a refractory vessel defining a space interior to the refractory vessel. A precious metal component is exposed to the interior space. The apparatus includes first and second electrodes exposed to the interior space. A first electrical power source configured to supply a first electrical current is connected between the first and second electrodes. A second electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the first electrode or a first auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a second electrical current out-of-phase with the first electrical current. A third electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the second electrode or a second auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a third electrical current out-of-phase with the first

Melting furnace (1), in particular for the production of metal alloys by melting alloying constituents, with a melting crucible (10), a cylindrical electrode rod (40) with a consumable electrode (41) attached thereto and a power supply (50) that is configured to supply the electrode (41) with power via the electrode rod (40), wherein the electrode rod (40) can be rotated about its own axis and moved along its own axis during the melting process.

An ohmic heater for heating a conductive fluid has a plurality of electrodes mounted to a structure with spaces between the electrodes. The electrodes (14) are selectively connect to poles (38, 40) of a power supply, so that some electrodes are connected to the poles and others remain isolated from the poles. Shunting switches are provided for connecting two or more of the isolated electrodes to one another. The shunting switches allow formation of a large number of different connection schemes having a variety of different electrical conduction paths through fluid in the spaces and a variety of resistances between the poles with relatively few electrodes and spaces.

An ohmic heater for heating a conductive fluid has a plurality of electrodes mounted to a structure with spaces between the electrodes. The electrodes (14) are selectively connect to poles (38, 40) of a power supply, so that some electrodes are connected to the poles and others remain isolated from the poles. Shunting switches are provided for connecting two or more of the isolated electrodes to one another. The shunting switches allow formation of a large number of different connection schemes having a variety of different electrical conduction paths through fluid in the spaces and a variety of resistances between the poles with relatively few electrodes and spaces.

A trench heater includes a case, a connecting unit, and a sub-assembly unit. The sub-assembly unit includes a baffle, a first junction panel, a second junction panel, and an electrical heating unit. The electrical heating unit includes a heating unit that comprises a heating element, a body, and a granular heat transfer medium. Multiple trench heaters may be connected end to end to create longer lengths via a modular platform.

A trench heater includes a case, a connecting unit, and a sub-assembly unit. The sub-assembly unit includes a baffle, a first junction panel, a second junction panel, and an electrical heating unit. The electrical heating unit includes a heating unit that comprises a heating element, a body, and a granular heat transfer medium. Multiple trench heaters may be connected end to end to create longer lengths via a modular platform.

Process for the preparation of a powder comprising bio active molecules, said process comprising the steps of (i) providing a liquid composition comprising bio active molecules, (ii) optionally pre-heating said liquid composition, provided that the temperature of the liquid composition does not exceed 65° C., (iii) transporting the optionally pre-heated liquid composition to the top of a spray drying tower via a tower feeding line, (iv) raising the temperature of the optionally pre-heated liquid composition using a direct electric volumetric heater located within the tower feeding line, the final temperature of the liquid composition being in the range 60-90° C., followed by (v) transporting the resulting liquid composition via the tower feeding line to the atomizer of a spray-dryer.

A system may include a current source; a first metal or alloy component with a first major surface electrically coupled to the current source; a second metal or alloy component with a second major surface electrically coupled in series to the first component and the current source via an external electrical conductor, where the first and second major surfaces are positioned adjacent to each other to define a joint region; a metal or alloy powder disposed in at least a portion of the joint region; and a controller. The controller may be configured to cause the current source to output an alternating current that conducts through the first component and the second component to induce magnetic eddy currents, magnetic hysteresis, or both within at least a portion of the metal or alloy powder disposed in at least the first portion of the joint region.