Abstract: An apparatus for melting and refining a silica-based glass composition includes a vertical first reaction chamber having an input adjacent to a lower end for receiving glass-forming components. The glass-forming components are heated to elevated temperature during upward flow through the vertical first reaction chamber to form a glass precursor melt adjacent to an upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber. A vertical second reaction chamber has an input adjacent to an upper end and an output adjacent to a lower end for delivering glass melt. A cross passage connects the upper end of the vertical first reaction chamber to the upper end of the vertical second reaction chamber such that the precursor melt flows from the vertical first reaction chamber through the cross passage and then through the vertical second reaction chamber to homogenize the precursor melt.

Abstract: A process for making soda-lime glass includes forming and refining sodium silicate glass in liquid phase. At least one other material is dissolved in the refined liquid phase sodium silicate glass to produce a liquid phase soda-lime glass melt. Formation of sodium silicate glass as an intermediate product before mixing with at least one other glass-forming material has the advantage of promoting release of gaseous reaction products from the sodium silicate glass during the refining step due at least in part to the relatively low viscosity of the sodium silicate glass. One or more steps in the process can be carried out under reduced pressure to promote release of gases and to reduce bubble formation.

Abstract: A process for making soda-lime glass includes calcining calcium carbonate in solid phase and at elevated temperature to form calcium oxide in solid phase and carbon dioxide gas. Sodium silicate glass is formed and refined separately in liquid phase. The solid phase calcium oxide is dissolved in the refined liquid phase sodium silicate glass to form a soda-lime glass melt. Formation of sodium silicate glass as an intermediate product before mixing with calcium oxide has the advantage of promoting release of gaseous reaction products from the sodium silicate glass during the refining step due at least in part to the relatively low viscosity of the sodium silicate glass. One or more steps in the process can be carried out under reduced pressure to promote release of gases and to reduce bubble formation.

Abstract: A process for making silica-based glass includes: (a) forming a glass precursor melt that includes glass network formers and glass network modifiers, the glass precursor melt being at a temperature in the range of 900 C to 1700 C and having a viscosity of not more than 3 Pa·s, and (b) refining the glass precursor melt. Either or both steps (a) and (b) can include stirring and/or be carried out under reduced pressure to enhance refining. The refined glass precursor melt preferably is mixed with additional materials including silica (SiO2) to form a silica-based glass melt.

Abstract: A process for making silica-based glass includes: (a) forming a glass precursor melt that includes glass network formers and glass network modifiers, the glass precursor melt being at a temperature in the range of 900 C to 1700 C and having a viscosity of not more than 3 Pa·s, and (b) refining the glass precursor melt. Either or both steps (a) and (b) can include stirring and/or be carried out under reduced pressure to enhance refining. The refined glass precursor melt preferably is mixed with additional materials including silica (SiO2) to form a silica-based glass melt.

Abstract: A process for making soda-lime glass includes calcinating calcium carbonate in solid phase and at elevated temperature to form calcium oxide and release gases such as carbon dioxide. Sodium silicate glass is formed separately in liquid phase while releasing gaseous reaction products. The calcium oxide and the sodium silicate glass intermediate products are mixed in liquid phase to form a soda-lime glass melt. Formation of sodium silicate glass as an intermediate product before mixing with the calcium oxide has the advantage of promoting release of gaseous reaction products in the sodium silicate due at least in part to the relatively low viscosity of the sodium silicate glass. The calcination step and/or the sodium silicate-forming step and/or the final mixing step can be carried out under reduced pressure further to promote release of gases and reduce bubble formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting method for aluminium or aluminium alloys, in which molten aluminium is treated and fed to at least one casting station (33, 34), in which the molten metal is cast into semi-finished products or similar. A number of casting ladles (25) are used to treat and feed the molten aluminium to the respective casting station (33, 34). The ladles are filled with the molten metal and the latter is then transported to at least one additional stage (32), where it is treated. The molten metal is subsequently delivered in the ladles (25) to the casting station (33, 34), where the ladles (25) are emptied. The invention thus provides an efficient method that can be flexibly adapted to the time periods of the process, said periods altering according to the situation.