Abstract: Glass batch materials and the like are liquefied in a first stage and the liquefied materials are subjected to submerged combustion in a second stage.

Abstract: A ceramic roll for transporting glass sheets for thermal treatment is drivingly connected to a drive shaft through a metal end cap using one or more circumferentially expandable, radially compressible, split metal rings that wedge into the circumferential space between the end portion of the roll and the inner surface of the metal end cap. The metal end cap is of uniform diameter throughout its axial length that surrounds the end of the roll. This construction is cheaper to fabricate than prior art metal end cap constructions of more complicated structure.

Abstract: A ceramic roll for transporting glass sheets for thermal treatment is drivingly connected to a drive shaft through a metal end cap circumferentially grooved to receive a hard rubber O-ring that provides frictional engagement between the metal end cap and an end of the ceramic roll. The metal end cap is constructed and arranged to facilitate its mounting on and removal from the end of the ceramic roll.