Abstract: A tank furnace for the inertization of non-flammable batch, which contains hazardous substances, metals and less than 10% by weight of carbon, by vitrification with glass forming aggregates by producing a glassy melt. The furnace has a batch charging device and a tank, on the rim of which a furnace crown rests, electrodes for heating the melt, a supply of oxidizing gases to the melt and, as an outlet for the melt, an overflow channel which can be heated. Nozzles are installed in the bottom of the tank to introduce oxidizing gases in order to reduce the eluate values, and the electrodes are immersed in the melt from above. It is preferable to install the nozzles at sloping sidewalls of the tank which slope upwardly and outwardly.

Abstract: An electrically heated tank furnace is used to melt glass whereby a floating gall layer is formed on the melt, in particular during the vitrification of hazardous materials such as asbestos, fly ash, filter dust, whereby the tank of the furnace is fitted with a discharge outlet for the melt and an overflow channel with an inlet for the gall. A stream of ascending gas bubbles is produced in the melt. In order to promote better and automatic draining of the gall the stream of gas bubbles is produced directly in front of the overflow channel which thereby maintains a layer of liquid gall in the overflow channel and a layer of molten glass retained by a weir on the bottom of the overflow channel. The temperature in the overflow channel is chosen to be above the melting temperature of the gall, whilst the bottom layer of glass is maintained at a temperature at which the viscosity of the glass is so high that the glass does not drain out the overflow channel.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a furnace for vitrifying waste material, a storage container for delivering waste material to the furnace and a pipe for passing a heat transfer medium through the storage container to preheat the waste material and remove water therefrom. The pipe may be a pipe through which exhaust gas is passed or a pipe through which a liquid medium is passed after heat transfer from the exhaust gas. The apparatus further includes means for removing dust from the exhaust gas and heating same to break down dioxines and furanes therein.

Abstract: A plurality of conduit segments contact on another which run vertically and transversely to the direction in which molten glass is channelled. Each segment includes at least one trough section and at least one cover section, an insulation of individual formed bodies, and an external casing. The segments are coupled together on support beams and may have removable insulation at joints to facilitate inspection.

Abstract: Roof of a working tank or of a glass melting furnace having a basin containing molten glass and covered by the radiation roof of highly refractory firebrick material, in which the roof is constructed with horizontal supporting elements in the form of straight arches (3) bearing the load of the roof (1) and spanning the tank at intervals, and with horizontal slabs (4) covering the open intervals between the supporting elements (3) and laid crosswise between the supporting elements (3).