Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for melting of a glass batch with electrical energy supplied by electrodes disposed in a vertically oriented melting chamber and which ameliorates the problems encountered when the raw batch blanket cannot be continuously and uniformly melted in said chamber. Specifically, improved electrode heating means are provided to generate localized hot spots in the molten glass adjacent the underside of the batch blanket and cause a flow of gas bubbles upwardly through the glass at the hot spot locations for escape through the batch blanket. The electrical energy rate supplied to said electrode means is also controlled so that a crust of only partially melted foam-type glass material is not formed within the batch blanket to impede escape of the gas bubbles. The improved system can further include cooperative means to refine the molten glass being continuously withdrawn from the bottom of the melting chamber in a separate refining chamber connected thereto.

Abstract: A power control system to distribute the electrical energy being supplied to a glass melting furnace of the vertically oriented type wherein raw glass batch is fed at the top level of the melting chamber and molten glass withdrawn at the bottom level of said chamber. Specifically, the present control system supplies electrical power to three sets of electrodes located at different elevation levels in the melting chamber so that when power is increased to the intermediate level electrodes, there is a decrease in power applied to the top level electrodes while a constant power ratio is maintained between the intermediate and bottom level electrodes. Said control system can further include cooperative electrode heating means to refine the molten glass being continuously withdrawn from the bottom of the melting chamber in a separate refining chamber connected thereto.