Abstract: A device for melting glass includes a furnace equipped with electrodes in contact with the mass of vitrifiable materials. The furnace includes a side opening connected to a feeder channel for the molten glass, a removable barrier dipping into the glass in or before the opening so that a vertical plane passing through the upstream face of the barrier touches the biggest horizontal circle which can be inscribed the furthest downstream in the furnace, barrier excluded, the biggest circle being at the height of the highest side of the bottom of the channel. The device delivers a glass of good quality which can feed a fiberizing device.

Abstract: A fabrication process of mineral fibers, including: introduction of raw materials into a circular furnace with electrodes; then fusion of the raw materials in the furnace to form a molten vitrifiable material; then outflow of the molten vitrifiable material from the furnace via a lateral outlet to supply a distribution channel; then outflow of the molten vitrifiable material via an orifice in the furnace bottom of the distribution channel to supply a fiber forming device; then transformation into fibers of the molten vitrifiable material by the fiber forming device, flow of molten vitrifiable material between the furnace and the distribution channel passing under a metal dam adjustable in height including an envelope cooled by cooling fluid current. Adjustment of the dam height allows temperature of the glass to be formed into fibers to be varied to bring the glass into a desired viscosity range for the fiber forming process.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for melting batch materials that combines at least two separate melting modules, including a module A(1) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of crown burners and/or submerged electrodes, and a module B(2) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of submerged burners.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for melting batch materials that combines at least two separate melting modules, including a module A(1) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of crown burners and/or submerged electrodes, and a module B(2) which is predominantly fitted with heating means in the form of submerged burners.

Abstract: The invention relates to the electric melting technique, in which the melting energy is dissipated in the bath of melted glass as a result of the Joule effect by means of electrodes which dip through the surface of the bath. According to the invention, the electrodes dip into a bath of melted glass which has a height h below 800 mm and a surface S such that the ratio h/S is lower than 0.5 m/m.sup.2. According to another aspect, the exchange surface between the electrodes and the bath is above 0.075 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 of glass.The invention is used in the manufacture of glass-based products, such as insulating materials based on glass fiber.

Abstract: A support for a melting electrode used in a glass melting bath. The support includes concentric tubes which provide for the circulation of a cooling fluid within the support. A current is provided through the outer tube to the electrode. The surface of the outer tube is electrically insulated and may be protected by a second cooling system outside the electrical insulation.

Abstract: Fibrous flakes used to reconstitute heat and sound insulants in the form of felts are themselves produced from a compressed fleece by an opening operation. The flakes detached from the fleece are carried away from the opening device in order to be used immediately.