Abstract: Disclosed herein are modular molten glass delivery apparatuses and glass manufacturing apparatuses including the same. A module of a modular molten glass delivery apparatus includes a lower carriage comprising a plurality of lower carriage rollers. An upper rail system is supported on the lower carriage. The upper rail system includes upper support rails oriented at an elevation angle ? greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal. The module further includes an upper carriage. The upper carriage includes a base plate oriented at an elevation angle ? greater than 0 degrees relative to horizontal and a plurality of upper carriage rollers engaged with the upper support rails of the upper rail system to facilitate translation of the upper carriage on the upper rail system. A support frame is coupled to the base plate and a molten glass delivery conduit assembly is supported on the base plate within the support frame.

Abstract: A glass melt delivery system vessel has at least one sidewall and floor made of a refractory material, such as zirconia, and at least one electrode extending through the refractory material. The at least one electrode is configured to heat a glass melt in contact with the refractory material at an average temperature of at least about 1600 C° without exceeding a breakdown condition of the refractory material in contact with the glass melt.

Abstract: A gradient fining tank and a method of operating the tank to refine foamy molten glass is disclosed. The gradient fining tank includes a floor, a roof, and two laterally-spaced sidewalls that at least partially define an interior chamber of the tank. The floor of the tank is profiled to provide the tank with an extended shallow portion that defines an inlet to the interior chamber and a deep holding portion that defines an outlet from the interior chamber. An entry section of the floor provides the extended shallow portion of the tank and a transition section and exit section of the floor provide the deep holding portion. A depth of the interior chamber at an outlet end of the deep holding portion is greater than a depth of the interior chamber at the outlet end of the extended shallow portion.

Abstract: A method for producing fused silica including pre-heating silica sand by passing the silica sand through a gas flame, distributing the pre-heated silica sand to a furnace having an internal temperature of about 1,713° C. or greater to form molten fused silica, and cooling the molten fused silica by flowing the molten silica from the furnace into a water bath to produce fused silica particulates.

Abstract: Feeder channel for molten glass including an infrastructure including a block self-cast and sintered in situ. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a block of such an infrastructure and a supply channel for a glassmaking furnace are claimed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel lid in particular for a thermal plant, for example a smelting furnace or a waste incineration plant. In particular, the invention relates to a vessel lid for a thermal plant which is arranged within vessel wall elements of a vessel wall of the thermal plant and which is either vertically adjustable and/or tiltable as a whole or which consists of a plurality of lid parts of which at least one is vertically adjustable and/or tiltable. The vertical adjustment and/or the tilting of the lid or of the lid parts and also the lateral movement thereof make it possible to achieve improved thermal sealing of the lid with respect to the vessel. The invention provides that the vessel lid or one or more lid parts/lid elements can be removed and/or exchanged. Instead of the complete exchange of the lid or of a lid part/lid element, it is also possible for only a wear layer or a screen thereof to be replaced.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: An energy-efficient device for refining a glass melt to produce a glass and/or a glass ceramic is provided. The device includes a refining crucible defined at least by lateral walls with a metallic lining as a melt contact surface, so that a melt refining volume is defined by a base surface, a top surface and a circumferential surface; at least one heating device that conductively heats the lining by an electric current in the lining, so that the melt is heated through the lining, the heating device and the lining are connected to one another by a feeding device. The feeding device establishes contact with the lining so that an electric current runs from the top surface to the base surface or from the base surface to the top surface, at least in sections of the lining.

Abstract: A grating pulse compressor configuration is introduced for increasing the optical dispersion for a given footprint and to make practical the application for chirped pulse amplification (CPA) to quasi-narrow bandwidth materials, such as Nd:YAG. The grating configurations often use cascaded pairs of gratings to increase angular dispersion an order of magnitude or more. Increased angular dispersion allows for decreased grating separation and a smaller compressor footprint.

Abstract: An electric glass hot shop system is described herein that has at least one electrically powered heating unit (e.g., electric furnace, electric glory hole, electric pipe warmer, electric color box, electric annealer, electric crucible kiln) used in the processing of glass.

Abstract: A high temperature industrial furnace roof system having first and second spaced apart hanger brick rows with a filler row disposed therebetween and a cable system including a plurality of electrical cables. The filler row includes a plurality of filler elements having at least one removable heating module with a heat source. The cable system operatively connects the heat source with a power source and permits the removable heating module to be removed from the respective filler element while the respective heat source remains operatively connected with the power source.

Abstract: An all-electric glass-melting deep furnace and a method of refining and supplying glass are disclosed in which high-quality molten glass is efficiently produced in large quantity at high heat efficiency. The glass-melting deep furnace 20 has a bottom 2 and a side wall 4 constructed by piling up fireproof bricks 3 on the perimeter of the bottom 2. A height H of the side wall 4 is set to be twice or more than twice as long as an inside dimension D of the bottom 2 of the furnace. Since the furnace 20 is deep, there can be achieved a thick batch layer, a space in which glass is melted at high temperature, and a cooling area which is necessary to refine molten glass. The furnace makes it possible for the molten glass 6 to absorb fine seeds by its pressure and cooling effects that are produced when the seeds move downward to the bottom 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skull pot (1) for melting, crystallizing or refining inorganic substances. Said pot comprises a pot wall (1.1), a pot bottom (1.2), an induction coil (2) which surrounds the pot wall (1.1) and by means of which high-frequency energy can be coupled into the content of the pot. The pot wall (1.1) is formed by a ring of metal pipes which can be connected to a cooling medium. Slits are embodied between adjacent metal pipes. The bottom (1.2) is provided with a discharge for the melt (3). A sleeve (4) is allocated to the discharge. The admission end (4.1) of the sleeve (4) protrudes far into the inner chamber of the skull pot (1) in such a way that, during use, the melt (3) can be withdrawn through the crystallized bottom layer (3.3) in a controlled manner without the danger of impairing quality.

Abstract: The use of blocks (1, 2, 3, 4) based on sintered tin oxide for producing the throat of a glass furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skull pot for melting or refining glass or glass ceramics, comprising a pot wall (1), a pot base, and an induction coil (3) which surrounds said pot wall and through which high-frequency energy can be coupled into the contents of the pot. The pot wall is made up of a ring of metal pipes (1.1) which can be connected to a cooling medium, slot-type intermediate chambers being provided between adjacent metal pipes. The pot base has a run-off for the melt. The metal pipes (1.1) that form the pot wall (1) arm short-circuited with each other above the base in order to increase the degree of efficiency of the skull pot and especially, in order to even out the temperature profile of the melt throughout the depth of the melt.

Abstract: Provided is a method for reducing or removing a foam present in a glass melting furnace, including providing an ultrasonic energy emitted from at least one ultrasonic energy source to a foam present above the surface of a molten material in a glass melting furnace. The ultrasonic energy is effective to reduce or remove at least a part of the foam. Also provided is a system for reducing or removing a foam present in a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for melting or refining glass or glass ceramics. According to the invention, a device of this type is provided with the following characteristics: a plurality of tubes which are U-shaped and arrange side by side so that they form a cage like skull channel that is open on top, and a high frequency oscillation circuit which comprises an induction coil. The tubes can be connected to a cooling medium. The induction coil wraps around the channel in such a manner that winding sections extend along the lateral walls of the channel.

Abstract: An electric glass-melting furnace including a floor made of refractory materials, four lateral walls, an upper roof, a glass composition feeder, and an output channel for the melted glass. The furnace includes a set of elements pivoting about horizontal axes and placed at the periphery of the furnace between at least one of the lateral walls and the roof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the production of a glass melt from a mixture; with a melt tank (1) that has peripheral walls (1.1-1.4) and a bottom (1.5); with a discharge channel (2) which is located under the bottom (1.5) of the melt tank (1) and which is in conducting connection with the melt bath (3) over an entry opening (2.3) and has an outlet opening (2.4) for the finished melt in the zone of a peripheral wall (1.1) of the melt tank (1); with at least one heating arrangement for the heating of the melt bath (3); the entry opening (2.3) of the discharge channel (2) is arranged in a central zone of the bottom (1.5) of the melt tank (1); the discharge channel (2) has a covering (2.2) which is located at least approximately at the level of the bottom (1.5) of the melt tank (1).

Abstract: In a glass melting furnace, a radiation screen wall is installed between a melting area and a refining area with a refining bank. This radiation screen wall leaves a flow path above the melt surface of the glass bath for the return flow of at least part of the combustion gases from the refining area to the melting area. In order to suppress a return flow of already refined and very hot glass melt from the refining area into a melting area, but still allow the charging material to melt completely as early as possible, the furnace is operated to produce at least one upward current between the middle of the melting area and the front face of the refining bank in the glass melt.

Abstract: The invention relates to the electric melting technique, in which the melting energy is dissipated in the bath of melted glass as a result of the Joule effect by means of electrodes which dip through the surface of the bath. According to the invention, the electrodes dip into a bath of melted glass which has a height h below 800 mm and a surface S such that the ratio h/S is lower than 0.5 m/m.sup.2. According to another aspect, the exchange surface between the electrodes and the bath is above 0.075 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 of glass.The invention is used in the manufacture of glass-based products, such as insulating materials based on glass fiber.

Abstract: In the manufacturing of high melting point glasses with volatile components, in particular of glasses from the group of boron glasses and borosilicate glasses, a furnace is provided that has a superstructure, fossil fuel burners, and a melting tank. In front of a conditioning zone and a throat leading to an extraction zone, a step-shaped raised area in the bottom is provided which is formed continuously over the complete width of the melting tank. In order to suppress segregation or, respectively, phase separation, to protect the furnace construction materials and to enable problem-free operation, a temperature of at least 1600.degree. C.

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 forehearth for a glass furnace comprises a trough and roof over the trough, the roof having two longitudinal ridges extending downwardly towards the surface of the glass to define three longitudinal chambers. The central chamber forms a conduit for the flow of cooling air over the central part of the stream of glass and the side chambers serve as conduits for the flow of combustion gas. Separate outlets are provided for the cooling and combustion gases and controllable dampers are provided at least on the combustion gas outlets. Balancing of the internal pressures between the three chambers can ensure that there is little or no significant mixing of the cooling air and combustion gases and accurate control of the cooling and/or heating can be obtained by control of the dampers.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing various hazardous waste materials by melting in a vessel for subsequent solidification is disclosed which includes a seal for the cover thereof. Melter includes a high-speed mixing impeller powered by a drive shaft which extends through an opening in the cover. The vessel is electrically heated by discharge of electrical energy through the melt contained in the vessel. In one embodiment the impeller and shaft are included in the electrical heating circuit. A shaft seal engages the shaft at a point spaced from the cover. An axially extensible seal seals a space bounded by the shaft seal and the opening in the cover. Purge gas is supplied to the sealed space to provide positive gas flow from the sealed space into the vessel. A cold wall transport duct for off-gas porting is disclosed. A bottom drain structure including a sleeve and plug is also disclosed. The output of the melter may be subsequently heated in a holding tank to refine the output.

Abstract: A melting furnace for treating wastes is provided which has a container equipped with a feed port for a glass raw material and wastes to be treated at the top thereof and a discharge port for molten glass containing said wastes at the bottom thereof, the container having a wall made of a heat resistant alloy and the container wall being in contact with molten glass inside the container; a heating electrode disposed in the container, the container wall acting as a counter electrode for the heating electrode; and a cooling system disposed at the back side of the container wall. By directly supplying electric power to the glass means disposed at the back side of the container wall.By directly supplying electric power to the glass between the container wall and the heating electrode, the molten glass containing the wastes can be formed. By conducting cooling of the container wall by the cooling system, corrosion of the wall due to the atmosphere in the container can be restricted.

Abstract: A glass melter having a lid electrode for heating the glass melt radiantly. The electrode comprises a series of INCONEL 690 tubes running above the melt across the melter interior and through the melter walls and having nickel cores inside the tubes beginning where the tubes leave the melter interior and nickel connectors to connect the tubes electrically in series. An applied voltage causes the tubes to generate heat of electrical resistance for melting frit injected onto the melt. The cores limit heat generated as the current passes through the walls of the melter. Nickel bus connection to the electrical power supply minimizes heat transfer away from the melter that would occur if standard copper or water-cooled copper connections were used between the supply and the INCONEL 690 heating tubes.

Abstract: A vertical glass melting furnace of the type having an inlet for raw materials at the top thereof, an outlet for molten glass at the bottom thereof, and a tabular electric resistance heating element for melting which is immersed at some level in molten glass, has at least one opening, and covers almost entirely the cross-section of the furnace at that level, the vertical glass melting furnace comprising a stirrer which extends from above the furnace and passes through the batch layer and the tabular heating element so that the stirrer brings about forced circulation for homogenization of the molten glass which has passed through the tabular heating element and stays in the region below the tabular heating element.

Abstract: A furnace lining is formed by a plurality of lining bricks. The bricks have surfaces defining an internal surface of the lining that is to face the interior of the furnace and to receive therefrom radiant heat. At least one depression is formed in the lining and opens onto the surface through an opening. The depression has internal wall surfaces that are geometrically configured to cause radiant heat from the furnace interior that impinges on a first internal wall surface to be reflected thereby and to impinge therefrom onto a second internal wall surface. Thus, the heat will be absorbed by the bricks of the lining, and such heat will be emitted thereby from the inner surface thereof.

Abstract: In a melting furnace (1), toxic, volatile chemical compounds from introduced filter dust from industrial incineration units are vaporized at about 1300.degree. C. and forced to leave the reaction space. The non-vaporizing residue forms a glassy melt which is discharged continuously or intermittently from the reaction space. Heating of the melt and of the filter dust is affected by resistance heaters in protective ceramic sheaths (4) above the melt (2). In order to prevent corrosion of the resistance heater protection sheaths (4) by exit gases (7) especially in the flow lee thereof, the exit gases are forced, by partitions (10) and an exit gas extraction pipe (9) with an inlet orifice (16) at a low level, to flow below the resistance heater protection sheaths (4) to an exit gas outlet (5).

Abstract: Electrode blocks and multiple-piece assemblies are provided for electric, glass-melting furnaces to reduce the occurrence and extent of cracking which occurs in monolithic electrode blocks from thermal stresses induced by a high temperature gradient between such blocks or the block assembly and a fluid-cooled electrode and from thermal shock encountered in repositioning the electrode. An insert block of a high thermal stress and glass corrosion/erosion resistant refractory material is configured to receive an electrode assembly. A holder block, which may be of the same material or another material, including a material having less thermal stress strength or less glass corrosion/erosion resistance than the insert block material, has a passageway therethrough to receive at least part of the insert block with electrode assembly therethrough.

Abstract: A melting apparatus in which a material to be melted is accommodated in a crucible made of platinum or its alloy, and electric current passes through the crucible to generate heat ot melt the material. At least a part of the crucible is formed into a double-wall structure having inner and outer peripheral walls. The electric current is caused to pass through the double-wall structure to generate the heat.

Abstract: An electric melting furnace for solidifying highly radioactive waste in glass has a melting cavity made of a non-conductive refractory and adapted to melt a raw material consisting of highly radioactive waste and a glass material by passing a current between horizontally opposing electrodes, and to extract the molten glass material through a plurality of outlet ports at a bottom portion of the furnace, the melting cavity being partitioned by a non-conductive partitioning refractory provided on the bottom portion of the furnace between outflow ports. Since the furnace is so structured that the melting cavity is partitioned by the non-electrically conductive refractory, all current lines connecting the pair of electrodes for melting the highly radioactive waste, which contains elements of the platinum group, detour around the partitioning refractory.

Abstract: The improved joule effect glass melt apparatus and method of using the apparatus delivers isothermal glass to a glass forming bushing and reduces the erosion of refractory at high melt temperatures by isolating the refractory from joule effect currents. The glass melt apparatus uses molybdenum liners located on the side walls of the molten glass receptacle to receive joule effect current and provide a uniform temperature distribution through the glass. A molybdenum flow block and molybdenum heat sink located in the flow block complete the heat distribution in the molten glass, achieving an essentially isothermal cross section molten glass upon arrival at the glass forming apparatus or bushing.

Abstract: A refractory metal substrate suitable for use in contact with an oxygen- or nitrogen-containing environment at a temperature greater than the oxidation or mitridation acceleration temperature of the substrate is disclosed. The refractory metal substrate comprises a refractory metal comprised of molybdenum and having a coating comprised of chromium metal. In an alternative embodiment the refractory metal can be an alloy comprised of in weight percent: from about 10 to about 20 chromium, from about 0 to about 5 alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), from about 0 to about 1 yttria (Y.sub.2 O.sub.3), from about 0 to about 0.5 titanium, from about 0 to about 0.1 zirconium, the balance being essentially molybdenum to make 100% of the composition; and, optionally having a coating of chromium metal.

Abstract: A method for melting thermosplastic material is disclosed. A protective liner for the interior of the furnace protects the refractory walls of the furnace from corrosion caused by the molten thermoplastic material. The improvement comprises confining a thermoplastic material between the liner and the refractory walls which is a viscous material such that its characteristics closely match those of a refractory composition.

Abstract: An electric melting furnace for glassifying high-radioactive waste characterized in that, in a furnace for melting glass containing platinum-group elements which has an outlet of glass at the bottom part of a melting tank, the bottom of the furnace surrounding the outlet has an inclination of more than 30.degree. and not more than 70.degree. with respect to the horizontal plane toward the cullet, and the distance l.sub.1 between a surface-inside opening part of the outlet and bottom ends of at least a pair of electrodes (3a, 3b) for supplying most of power required for glass melting is a half or more, but not exceeding, of the distance (l.sub.2) between the electrodes (3a, 3b).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing practically stria-free, bubble-free, and homogeneous quartz-glass plates of any desired configuration and with a surface area that exceeds the cross-section of the full circular quartz-glass cylinder that is employed as a starting material. The cylinder is continuously lowered into a furnace shell flooded with an inert gas, in which it is heated to a flowing temperature in the range of 1700.degree. to 1900.degree. C. until some of the quartz-glass flows off into a graphite crucible. The crucible is preferably clad with zirconium-oxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a melting furnace for vitrifying highly radioactive waste, comprising a melting tank of refractory material and a furnace upper section enclosed by insulation and a steel container. The furnace contains electrodes of ceramic block material for direct heating which comprise part of the wall of the melting tank. Electrical conductors project from the electrodes through the top of the furnace. In order to avoid the danger of the melt flowing into the gaps between the electrodes and the surrounding tank wall and shorting the electrodes, the melt level is maintained below the top surface of the electrodes. In one form of the invention, the electrodes are recessed along the upper edge of the front side facing the melting tank, which recess accommodates a refractory block which is highly resistant to the corrosive effect of the waste at the melt level. The electrodes require no cooling, and are insulated on their back sides which avoids temperature differentials within the electrodes.

Abstract: The joule melter has an outer cylindrical electrode which forms the outer wall of the melt containment, an inner cylindrical electrode which protrudes upward in the containment and forms the outlet for the melt, thus, also determining the depth of the melt. A non-conducting sealing material forms a base plug between the electrodes. A cylindrical electrically conductive baffle is located between the electrodes and includes an opening which allows the melt to flow from near the outer electrode where the melt material is first inserted into the melter, to the inner electrode which is the outlet. In addition to the inner and outer electrodes, the baffle may be connected to a power supply to modify the currents flowing at each of the electrodes.

Abstract: Electrically energizable heating means are disclosed for supplying heat to a bottom portion of a melting furnace having a metal lined refractory vessel, wherein the heating means are in the form of electrodes or resistance heaters which are protected from the body of the melt by a shroud forming a portion of the metal liner for the refractory vessel, and such heating elements are raised above the bottom of the refractory vessel to prevent the corrosion thereof due to the heat produced by the heating units.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace is disclosed having a refractory melting vessel provided with a protective liner formed of an oxidizable refractory metal such as molybdenum, wherein the liner projects upwardly within a molten bath contained within the vessel and through its fusion line into a batch blanket retained thereabove which is low in carbonates. The upper end of the liner is provided with a seal to prevent the flow of batch material between the liner and the refractory vessel and thereby prevent contamination of material behind the liner and reduce corrosion of the refractory vessel.

Abstract: A characteristic feature of the furnace disclosed in the present invention is the presence therein of additional current-carrying elements with the free end thereof sunk relative to the effective area of the furnace brickwork. The elements are connected with the terminals of a power source of the opposite polarity with respect to the connection of the main current-carrying elements of a corresponding operating area.

Abstract: An assemblage of electrode blocks peripherally supported on the bottom wall of an electric glass-melting furnace, having apertures for positioning electrodes therethrough and having horizontal grooves cut between adjacent vertical sides with a key positioned in the groove to secure the blocks, and on another of the vertical sides, having a ledge parallel and located between the top and bottom of the electrode blocks, such that a plurality of paving blocks can be positioned to retain the electrode blocks against the bottom wall of the furnace.

Abstract: An arc glass-melting furnace comprising: a chamber adapted for holding a body of molten glass, such chamber including means for supplying batch material thereto and means for withdrawing molten glass therefrom; an arc electrode positioned in the chamber above the upper surface of the body of molten glass; a plurality of electrodes positioned in the bottom of the chamber; and power supply means having a first terminal connected to the arc electrode and a second terminal connected to the plurality of bottom electrodes.

Abstract: A glass heating method and apparatus, such as a glass melting furnace or a forehearth, utilizing a refractory lining and electrically energized heating electrodes. The refractory lining is an erosion resistant material, preferably a chromic oxide refractory, having an electrical resistivity which is less than the resistivity of the molten glass, preferably an E glass, which is being heated. To avoid short-circuiting through the low resistance refractory, the refractory interposed between electrodes of opposite polarity is cooled to a temperature less than the temperature of the molten glass and at which the resistivity of the refractory is materially increased. Where the electrodes of opposite polarity are carried by opposing side walls, the end and/or side walls of the apparatus are cooled. Where the electrodes are all carried by a single wall, that wall is cooled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting thermoplastic material is disclosed utilizing, in a preferred embodiment, a vessel having a bottom wall and upstanding sidewalls. A protective liner for the vessel is provided, being formed of corrosion resistant material. The furnace may include both through-the-batch and floor electrodes, and also hot spot fining to a conductive outlet channel.A method is set forth for operating the furnace described herein utilizing symmetrical, below the batch heat dissipation for accelerated melting. In order to protect the liner, which in some instances may be fabricated from an oxidizable refractory metal, start-up burners are operated under a reduced oxygen supply.

Abstract: An electrode block for use in the bottom wall of an electric glass-melting furnace comprising a body of refractory material having an aperture therein which is suitably sized to mate with an electrode, the body having a top and bottom and at least one side that is slanted such that the area of the bottom is greater than the area of the top.

Abstract: A device for heating open melting baths, especially galvanizing baths, enameling baths, lead coating baths, metal baths, and glass baths, and the like, in tubs, or vats or tanks, wherein an inert gas is circulated through components of the open baths which are closed toward the gas side which are in the form of shafts, and through a heater, whereby the gas is introduced into the fluid of the bath into vertical shafts, arranged on each longitudinal and/or end side of the tub, or vat or tank, the gas then bubbling through the fluid and being withdrawn through a withdrawal channel positioned above the shafts. There is provided at least one ceramic partition extending into the fluid, which partition forms at least part of the vertical shafts, and having at least one bore or a slot the upper end of which is in communication with the gas inlet conduit and the lower end of which opens into a pertaining vertical shaft or has provisions for directing the gas into the shaft.