Abstract: An apparatus for refining molten glass comprising a shell mounted in a generally vertical position and having an intermediate cylindrical portion and frusto-conical end portions, refractory material within the shell defining a glass-receiving chamber. The shell is supported by bearings mounted upon a base and engaging the frusto-conical end portions of the shell. Drive means are interposed between the lower frusto-conical end portion and the lower bearing for rotating the shell about its generally vertical axis. A housing surrounds the shell. The shell is cooled by circulating air continuously in the area between the shell and the housing. The bearings are both lubricated and cooled by forcing oil about the bearings. Unrefined molten glass is delivered to the upper end of the shell, rotated, and the refined molten glass is removed from the lower end of the chamber.

Abstract: A method for rapidly melting glass-making materials wherein the glass-making materials are introduced into a chamber containing molten glass, heat is applied to the materials in the chamber by passage of an electric current between spaced electrodes while one of the electrodes is moved within the molten materials to agitate the materials to constantly move the location of the heating point through the batch glass-making materials and to enfold newly-added glass-making materials into the molten glass within the chamber.