Apparatus for conducting high-temperature reactions

Claim 1

IN A CONVERTER PROVIDING A REACTION CHAMBER FOR CONDUCTING CONVERSION REACTIONS AT HIGH TEMPERATURE; A SHELL FORMING A WALL OF THE CONVERTER; A SUBSTANTIALLY IMPERFORATE HEAT RESISTANT LINER WITHIN THE CONVERTER SPACED APART FROM SAID SHELL AND FORMING THEREWITH A PERIPHERAL SPACE ADJACENT THE REACTION CHAMBER; A COVER MEMBER EXTENDING FROM THE TOP OF THE LINER TO SAID SHELL AND CLOSING OFF THE TOP OF SAID PERIPHERAL SPACE; POROUS INSULATING MATERIAL WITHIN SAID PERIPHERAL SPACE FOR PROTECTING SAID SHELL FROM THE HIGH TEMPERATURE WITHIN THE REACTION CHAMBER; A SUPPORT MEMBER ADJACENT THE BOTTOM OF THE PERIPHERAL SPACE ADAPTED TO MAINTAIN SAID INSULATING MATERIAL IN PLACE, SAID LINER EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY TO ADJACENT SAID SUPPORT MEMBER WITHOUT ABUTTING THEREAGAINST, SO AS TO PROVIDE AN OPENING FOR RESTRICTED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PERIPHERAL SPACE AND THE REACTION CHAMBER; AND CONDUIT MEANS COMMUNICATING FROM WITHOUT SAID SHELL TO SAID PERIPHERAL SPACE FOR INTRODUCING THEREIN AN INERT GAS.