Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat glass rich in lead oxide, comprising the continuous floating, in a float plant with a neutral gaseous atmosphere, of a glass comprising at least 30% lead oxide by weight on a bath of molten metal having a higher density than that of the glass. The invention allows flat glass rich in lead, useful for protection against X-rays, to be produced.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for melting and refining vitrifiable materials, such that all or part of the thermal energy necessary for melting the said vitrifiable materials is supplied by the combustion of fossil fuel(s) with at least one oxidizer gas, the said fuel(s)/gas or the gaseous products resulting from the combustion being injected below the level of the mass of vitrifiable materials (7). The refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting takes place at least partly in the form of a “thin layer”. The invention also relates to the device for implementing the process and to its applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device capable of rotating about an axis (6), for the refining and homogenization of glass, comprising a receptacle (1) intended to receive the molten glass to be treated, a vacuum compartment (2) and at least one glass outlet orifice (5, 19), furthermore including a conveying means (7, 8, 17, 18) for conveying the molten glass from the feed receptacle (1) to the vacuum compartment (2). It also relates to a process for manufacturing substrates employing the device according to the invention, and to the substrates thus manufactured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing flat glass rich in lead oxide, comprising the continuous floating, in a float plant with a neutral gaseous atmosphere, of a glass comprising at least 30% lead oxide by weight on a bath of molten metal having a higher density than that of the glass. The invention allows flat glass rich in lead, useful for protection against X-rays, to be produced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace having a submerged burner, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace especially provides the function of coloring the main glass so that the final glass is a colored glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-colored flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for melting and refining vitrifiable materials, such that all or part of the thermal energy necessary for melting the said vitrifiable materials is supplied by the combustion of fossil fuel(s) with at least one oxidizer gas, the said fuel(s)/gas or the gaseous products resulting from the combustion being injected below the level of the mass of vitrifiable materials (7). The refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting takes place at least partly in the form of a “thin layer”. The invention also relates to the device for implementing the process and to its applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace having a submerged burner, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace especially provides the function of coloring the main glass so that the final glass is a colored glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-colored flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plant and to a process for manufacturing a glass, comprising the production of a main stream of a liquid main glass, by a main plant that includes a main furnace, and the production of an auxiliary stream of a liquid auxiliary glass, by an auxiliary plant that includes an auxiliary furnace, the auxiliary stream being smaller than the main stream, the auxiliary glass having a composition different from that of the main glass and the two streams then being mixed to form a single total stream of the final glass. The auxiliary furnace may especially be fitted with submerged burners, and provide the function of colouring the main glass so that the final glass is a coloured glass. A highly homogeneous and bulk-coloured flat glass may thus be manufactured by an installation having short transition times.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for melting and refining vitrifiable materials, such that all or part of the thermal energy necessary for melting the said vitrifiable materials is supplied by the combustion of fossil fuel(s) with at least one oxidizer gas, the said fuel(s)/gas or the gaseous products resulting from the combustion being injected below the level of the mass of vitrifiable materials (7). The refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting takes place at least partly in the form of a “thin layer”.