Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting mineral materials, particularly vitrifiable materials, for the manufacture of glass in which the materials to be melted are supplied in the form of finely divided solid elements with each element containing the totality of the components, in their proper proportions, necessary for the formation of the glass. These materials are deposited onto a thin molten layer of the same material formed on a hearth. The molten layer is fed along the hearth and heaters produce an intense heating of the materials to produce the melting thereof.

Abstract: The improvement in an apparatus for refining glass being fed along a channel wherein the molten glass is foamed throughout its thickness, the improvement involving an increase in the width of the channel at the location of foaming. Also, the channel is provided with submerged electrodes disposed on opposite sides of the channel adjacent the bottom for heating the molten mass to produce the foaming.