Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for initiating the preheating of pulverous materials in a tubular heat exchanger prior to their introduction into a melting furnace, with particular application to the recycling of all of the vitrifiable starting materials through the heat exchanger to eliminate moisture therefrom prior to delivery to a tank furnace for glass making to raise its entry-level temperature and improve furnace efficiency. The method involves rapidly recirculating all of the moisture-containing pulverous glass batch material through the open-ended tubes of a tubular sheet exchanger to heat the same and collect and remove moisture therefrom prior to initiation of delivery of any of the glass batch material in preheated condition to the glass melting furnace. The subject invention, as hereinafter described, is of particular utility to the glass industry, but it is to be understood that it is also applicable to other types of preheaters and furnaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preheating of pulverous materials in a tube heat exchanger prior to their introduction into a melting furnace, with particular application to the delivery by gravity of the vitrifiable starting materials through the heat exchanger to eliminate moisture therefrom prior to introduction of the essentially moisture-free materials into a tank furnace for glass making. The preheating serves to raise the entry-level temperature of the glass batch material and improve furnace fuel efficiency. The preheating involves recirculating at least part of the pulverous glass batch material through the open-ended tubes of the tubular heat exchanger to heat the same and remove moisture therefrom prior to initiating delivery of the glass batch material in preheated condition to the glass melting furnace. The present method is specifically directed at maintaining continuous operation of the preheater upon interruption of material flow through the preheater tubes for any reason.

Abstract: A forehearth for feeding molten glass to a flow feeder, a set of blenders, and a set of homogenizers are spaced from each other along the length of the forehearth with three evenly spaced vertically positioned elongated plates located between the set of blenders and the set of homogenizers. The particular arrangement provides a system for eliminating, to a great extent, cords at the feeder.