Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: An electric open-top melter for use in the manufacture of mineral fibers, such as fiberglass, is provided with a side-discharge outlet. The side-discharge outlet allows the melter, conditioner/refiner, and forehearth to all be located on substantially the same level, thereby allowing molten glass to flow from the side of the melter, through the conditioning zone, and into the forehearth from which spinners produce glass fibers or the like. Isolation members are provided in the conditioning or refining area so as to enable molten glass therein to be isolated from the melter and forehearth when the molten glass level is lowered below the tops the isolation members.

Abstract: A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the "hot spot" in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Abstract: An electric open-top melter for use in the manufacture of mineral fibers, such as fiberglass, is provided with a side-discharge outlet. The side-discharge outlet allows the melter, conditioner/refiner, and forehearth to all be located on substantially the same level, thereby allowing molten glass to flow from the side of the melter, through the conditioning zone, and into the forehearth from which spinners produce glass fibers or the like. Isolation members are provided in the conditioning or refining area so as to enable molten glass therein to be isolated from the melter and forehearth when the molten glass level is lowered below the tops the isolation members.

Abstract: A melt-blowing system and corresponding method are provided for making a nonwoven polymer filament blanket. Subsequent to formation and blowing of the polymer filaments toward a receiving conveyor, a pivoting oscillating member is provided through which the filaments are blown. Vertical oscillation of the oscillating member causes the flow direction of the filament stream to vertically oscillate thereby increasing the tensile strength of the nonwoven blanket in the in-line direction as a substantial number of the filaments become oriented in the in-line direction on the conveyor.

Abstract: A two-stage orifice outlet is provided for an electric furnace. The structure defining the inner orifice adjacent the interior of the furnace through which molten material passes in its initial stages of withdrawal from the furnace is made of a refractory metal to withstand the high temperatures present within the furnace and this refractory metal must be protected from the oxidizing effects of air. The outer structure defining the outer orifice is made from a more oxidation resistant material and acts as a shield to prevent the oxidation of the refractory metal inner orifice. The outer orifice is maintained below a temperature at which it will undergo rapid deterioration by the use of cooling means. The outlet described above is operated without injecting neutral or reducing gases into the area surrounding the furnace outlet as was required by prior art furnaces of this type.

Abstract: Prior art high temperature electric furnaces of the type using two or more, usually three, primary electrodes positioned around an electrically conducting central outlet brought the electrodes in through a side or bottom wall of the furnace at points below the melt line causing many problems. The present invention provides a primary electrode arrangement for such melting furnaces wherein the primary electrodes do not pass through the wall or bottom of the furnace below the melt line, but instead enter the furnace over the top of the melt line and then protrude through the top surface of the melt. The primary electrodes of the present invention are provided with means for preventing wear and deterioration at the interface between the top surface of the melt and the unmelted batch and/or the oxidizing air atmosphere surrounding the top of the furnace. The improved furnace of the present invention does not require the use of a purging neutral or reducing atmosphere to protect the primary electrodes.