FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SEPTEMBER 2001

Contact: Jill Storms, Marketing (716) 684-7400 x140 jstorms@harperintl.com

BUFFALO, NY – Harper International, the global leader in advanced thermal systems for materials processing, announces its latest innovations – THE ULTRA HIGH TEMPERATURE GRAPHITE ROTARY, THE GRAPHITE HARPER HEARTHä AND THE NEW GRAPHITE PUSHER THERMAL SYSTEM – now available to the world-wide market and on display in our new, full-color, glossy brochure.

This generation of Harper Graphite Element Furnace Systems combines the best of both worlds – Harper’s ground-breaking R&D team and the invaluable experience of more than 50 years of industry leadership. The systems facilitate spherical graphite production for batteries, pitch-based carbon fiber, metallic carbide powders (WC, TiC, etc.) and non-oxide ceramic sintering (Si₃N₄, AIN, SiC, TiB_2,BN). Harper continues to offer its international clients scale-up graphite reactor technology from concept to commercialization, comprehensive laboratory and testing facilities, and complete after-sales service through its world headquarters and global satellite offices.

The most exciting of the three devices is the Graphite Harper Hearthä System (Page 3). The heart of this operation is the Harper Hearthä Load Carrier. This component reduces load thermal mass, improves temperature uniformity and redistributes compressive stress and wear surfaces away from potentially corrosive or erosive environments. The Harper Hearth ä has eight patented features, allowing it to provide comprehensive time-at-temperature uniformity at minimal operating cost. This version provides access to intermediated times at high temperatures.

“The Harper Hearthä fills a void where cleanliness, speed, uniformity and/or stability requirements aren’t met by existing equipment,” said Harper engineer Bruce Dover. “It is also, in general, a superior solution than the pushers, rollers and belts it replaces. Economical processing of 100 to 1000 kg/hr of non-flowable material with temperature variations of a few degrees and times of a few minutes is simply not achieved by any other method.”

The Graphite Rotary Tube Furnace is the most advanced mechanism of its kind available today. It embodies eight patented features and is the only reactor that is scalable to commercial production. The system is installed to provide temperatures up to 2,400°C for, primarily, non-oxide powder processing. The Graphite Pusher Thermal System incorporates the cutting-edge use of modular carbon-graphite insulation for lower operating cost and greater furnace efficiency.

Harper’s new brochure also showcases its complete systems, carbon fiber lines, vertical reactors, and highlights its world-class research and development group, testing laboratory and after sales service.

Interested parties may call Harper directly for more information about these innovations and to obtain a copy of our brochure. The brochure is also available for viewing from the Harper International website. Also, visit our booth (#1752) at the 2001 Chem Show at the Javits Convention Center in New York City October 23–25.