Condensate collection means

Claim 2

For use in a furnace for processing materials subject to vaporization, condensate collecting means comprising, a collection plate for collecting condensate having a surface adapted for positioning in the path of vapor, and at least one mesh structure positioned adjacent said surface and substantially coextensive therewith for positioning in the path of vapor, said mesh structure being sufficiently porous to suitably allow vapor to pass through to said collection plate and being sufficiently fine as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said collection plate.

Claim 3

For use in a furnace for processing materials subject to vaporization, condensate collecting means comprising, a collection plate for collecting condensate having a surface adapted for positioning in the path of vapor, a plurality of mesh structures positioned at spaced intervals from said surface substantially coextensive therewith for positioning in the path of vapor, said mesh structure being sufficiently porous to suitably allow vapor to pass through to said collection plate and being sufficiently fine as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said collection plate, said mesh structure being of decreasing fineness away from said collection plate.

Claim 4

For use in a furnace for processing materials subject to vaporization, condensate collecting means comprising, a collection plate for collecting condensate having a surface adapted for positioning in the path of vapor, a plurality of mesh structures positioned at spaced intervals from said surface substantially coextensive therewith for positioning in the path of vapor, said mesh structure being sufficiently porous to suitably allow vapor to pass through to said collection plate and being sufficiently fine as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said collection plate, said mesh structure being of decreasing fineness away from said collection plate.

Claim 5

Means according to claim 2 including a first mesh structure generally parallel to said collection plate and spaced from 1/4 to 2 inches therefrom, said first mesh structure being comprised of a woven wire screen of 10 gauge or finer wire having a spacing between wires of from 1/8 to 1/2 inch, and including a second mesh structure generally parallel to said first mesh structure and spaced from 1 to 1 1/2 inches therefrom, said second mesh structure being comprised of a woven wire screen of 10 gauge or finer wire having a spacing between wires of from 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches.

Claim 6

Means according to claim 3 including a third mesh structure generally parallel to said second mesh structure and spaced from 1/4 to 2 inches therefrom, said third mesh structure being of 3 gauge or finer wire having a spacing between wires of about 2 inches.

Claim 7

For use in a furnace for processing materials subject to vaporization, condensate collecting means comprising, a collection plate for collecting condensate having a surface adapted for positioning in the path of vapor, a first mesh structure positioned adjacent said surface and substantially coextensive therewith for positioning in the path of vapor, said first mesh structure being sufficiently porous to suitably allow vapor to pass through to said collection plate and being sufficiently fine as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said collection plate, a second mesh structure positioned on the opposite side of said first mesh structure from said collection plate, said second mesh structure being more porous than said first mesh structure to continue to allow vapor to pass through after said first mesh structure becomes plugged with condensate, said second mesh structure being sufficiently fine due to build up of condensate thereon at the time said first mesh structure becomes plugged as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said first mesh structure.

Claim 8

For use in a furnace for processing materials subject to vaporization, condensate collecting means comprising, a collection plate for collecting condensate having a surface adapted for positioning in the path of vapor, a first mesh structure positioned adjacent said surface and substantially coextensive therewith for positioning in the path of vapor, said first mesh structure being sufficiently porous to suitably allow vapor to pass through to said collection plate and being sufficiently fine as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said collection plate, a second mesh structure positioned on the opposite side of said first mesh structure from said collection plate, said second mesh structure being more porous than said first mesh structure to continue to allow vapor to pass through after said first mesh structure becomes plugged with condensate, said second mesh structure being sufficiently fine due to build up of condensate thereon at the time said first mesh structure becomes plugged as to prevent passage of solid pieces of condensate of significant size falling from said first mesh structure.