Abstract: A method is taught for separately preheating cullet and batch, material use in glass making. This method uses a two stage process for preheating batch in a way that allows water vapor to escape to the atmosphere before the main preheating stage. It supplements current preheating methods of the art of glass making. Apparatuses to carry out this method are also taught.

Abstract: A method for reducing pollution emissions from a glass melting furnace using electrostatic granular bed (EGB) technology. The granules in the EGB filter are themselves formed from an alkaline earth metal material. The granules react with sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas and form a layer of alkaline earth metal sulfates and sulfites in the granules. Simultaneously alkali metal-containing particles are deposited on the granules. The accumulated layers of pollutants are easily removed by mechanical agitation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for glass manufacture is described having batch preheating and reduced pollution emission. The apparatus includes two modules containing pelletized glass and/or cullet. One module functions as a pelletized glass preheater, and the other as a filter for removing pollution emissions from furnace exhaust gases. The modules are switchable, such that the preheating module can be converted to a filter module, and the filter module converted to a preheating module, thus allowing periodic cleaning and routine maintenance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously preheating cullet and removing pollutants from glass furnace gases is disclosed. Raw moist cullet having fine glass dust material and other impurities adhered to its surface is heated by furnace gases which remove the moisture and the impurities by entrainment. The dry, clean cullet is then electrically charged and used to filter the exhaust gases which have been electrostatically charged.

Abstract: A method for reducing pollution emissions from a glass melting furnace using electrostatic granular bed (EGB) technology is disclosed. In one embodiment, sorbent dust containing an alkaline earth metal material, e.g., calcium, is injected into a prereactor for reaction with furnace exhaust gases. A layer of calcium material forms over the granules. These granules are co-mingled with granules from an EGB filter which, over a period of time, retain a layer of low resistivity alkali metal salt. The resulting mixture of granules maintains a high resistivity and therefore prolongs the life of granules used in the EGB filter. In an alternative embodiment, the granules in the EGB filter are themselves formed from an alkaline earth metal material. The granules react with sulfur compounds in the exhaust gas and form a layer of alkaline earth metal sulfates and sulfites in the granules. Simultaneously alkali metal-containing particles are deposited on the granules.

Abstract: A apparatus for simultaneously preheating cullet and removing pollutants from glass furnace gases is disclosed. Raw moist cullet having fine glass dust material and other impurities adhered to its surface is heated by furnace gases which remove the moisture and the impurities by entrainment. The dry, clean cullet is then electrically charged and used to filter the exhaust gases which have been electrostatically charged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for glass manufacture is described having batch preheating and reduced pollution emission. The apparatus includes two modules containing pelletized glass and/or cullet. One module functions as a pelletized glass preheater, and the other as a filter for removing pollution emissions from furnace exhaust gases. The modules are switchable, such that the preheating module can be converted to a filter module, and the filter module converted to a preheating module, thus allowing periodic cleaning and routine maintenance.

Abstract: A gaseous constituent, such as sulfur dioxide, is removed from a gas stream in a granular bed filter containing granules coated with a sorbent material which is reactive with the gaseous constituent. Granules carrying reacted sorbent material are removed from the granular bed filter, cleaned of reacted sorbent material and coated with further sorbent material for reuse in the granular bed filter. Electrification of the filter bed permits simultaneous, highly efficient removal of particulates entrained in the gas stream.