Abstract: An apparatus for melting glass batch material, the apparatus forming glass batch material into a pile having an elongate sloping surface, having a feed device for feeding batch material to an upper part of the pile and a pushing device which is located beneath the feed device to push batch material in the pile towards the elongate sloping surface. There is also disclosed a method of melting glass batch material, the method having the steps of (a) forming glass batch material into a pile having an elongate sloping surface by feeding batch material to an upper part of the pile and pushing batch material in a lower part of the pile towards the elongate sloping surface; and (b) heating the batch material in the elongate sloping surface.

Abstract: In a rotary pan pelletizer, a central circular portion of the bottom surface of the pan is raised above the level of the annular portion around this central portion, and a stationary central plough is disposed with its lower surface in close proximity to the raised central portion. Binder liquid is fed on to the raised central portion and in operation the central plough keeps the raised central portion substantially clear of build-up of the material to be pelletized, so reducing formation of lumps and stabilizing operation. Further ploughs or scrapers are disposed over the annular portion to maintain a constant level of build-up of material thereon, at substantially the same depth as the height of the raised central portion.