Abstract: An apparatus for changing bushings in a glass melting furnace is disclosed. A support attached to the furnace holds the bushings beneath an opening in the forehearth. A replacement bushing is placed in the framework, translated next to the operating bushing, brought to operating thermal condition and then both bushings are translated until the replacement bushing is beneath the opening in forehearth. This eliminates the need to freeze the molten glass within the bushing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an arrangement for vitrifying highly radioace waste solutions. The arrangement has a glass melting furnace and a wet scrubber for scrubbing particles of dust out of the offgas from the glass melting furnace. The offgas is passed from the glass melting furnace into the wet scrubber through an offgas conduit. The solids in the offgas are deposited in the offgas conduit. In order to counteract the disadvantageous consequences of such deposits, the offgas conduit includes two conduit lengths. The glass melting furnace is connected to one end of a first one of the conduit lengths via a connecting conduit stub mounted on the melting furnace and the wet scrubber is connected to one end of the second conduit length via a connecting conduit stub on the scrubbers. The two conduit lengths extend upwardly and are inclined toward each other so that they interconnect at their respective other ends.

Abstract: Raw materials such as glass batch are preheated by combustion of liquid or solid fuel such as fuel oil or coal mixed with the batch material. In one embodiment the material being heated and the gaseous products of combustion are passed cocurrently through the preheating stage to avoid carbonaceous effluents. Preheated materials and any ash from the fuel are transferred to a second stage where they are liquefied. Carbon monoxide from the preheating stage may serve as fuel for the liquefying stage.

Abstract: Thermally fusible material such as glass batch is liquefied using a solid carbonaceous fuel such as coal as the major energy source. In another embodiment, solid or liquid fuel is mixed with the batch material being fed to an initial liquefaction stage. Melting may be advanced further in a subsequent stage where the melt may also be re-oxidized.

Abstract: A method of an apparatus for heat processing of glass and/or glass forming material wherein cullet and/or the raw materials needed to form glass are heated while suspended in a high temperature gas stream which may comprise products of combustion. The particles heated both in and downstream of a burner, for example, together with products of combustion are accelerated out of the burner, preferably downwardly, through a nozzle and against a closely spaced impact surface in a separation chamber. Upon impact, the particles and/or molten droplets are separated from the products of combustion by adhering to the impact surface and form a continuous flowing layer which flows from the impact surface, over a flow surface and as a molten layer into a pool of molten glass product at the bottom of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A method of removing boron from gases which comprises passing the gas stream in contact with solid sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: A method of controlling NO.sub.x emissions from a combustion chamber wherein non-combustable particulate matter is heat processed. The particulate matter to be heat processed is entrained and dispersed in the products of combustion as a dispersed heat sink in a quantity and particle size to absorb heat by heat transfer from the products of combustion sufficient to cool the products of combustion from their peak temperature at a rate sufficient to kinetically limit the formation of NO in the products of combustion to a level which is a fraction of the NO equilibrium concentration of the products of combustion at their peak temperature. The fuel and oxidizer producing the products of combustion is burned in an equivalence ratio selected to result in substantially not more than small amounts of NO forming gases.

Abstract: A process for making a homogeneous melt for producing mineral wool insulation. This insulating material is made from waste products namely, bottom ash, cement kiln dust, slag, and waste from mineral wool production. These materials, along with a binder, are homogenized into a mixture. Thereafter, the process includes briquetting the mixture into agglomerated pieces. The agglomerates are then melted in a cupola furnace and the molten agglomerate is discharged into a receiver. Hot combustion gases are then passed into the melt or molten agglomerate to chemically homogenize the melt and heat the melt to a preselected temperature. Thereafter, the melt is converted into fibers using conventional practices.

Abstract: A method of producing a glass product requiring minimum fining wherein finely pulverized glass batch material is heated very rapidly in suspension in a hot gas stream to at least about its melting temperature in a heating chamber and directing it through a nozzle to impact on an impact surface in a separation chamber where the glass batch material is separated from the hot gas stream by adhering to the impact surface.Upon impact, the particles and/or molten material form a continuously flowing layer which flows over a flow surface as a molten layer into a pool of molten glass product in a collection zone. The melt flow over the flow surface is controlled to effect the immigration of gas therein to and then leave the exposed surface of the melt flow and simultaneously effect at least substantial reaction of the glass batch material before it reaches the collection zone.

Abstract: Heat transfer media is heated by passing the media downwardly through a chamber, introducing hot gases near the top of the chamber, introducing hot gases near the bottom of the chamber, and exhausting hot gases from a hot gas outlet positioned near the middle of the chamber.

Abstract: In a glass batch liquefying process, batch-entrained nitrogen is purged by contacting the batch with a substantially nitrogen-free gas in a pretreating stage.

Abstract: A method of removing coatings from scrap glass is disclosed. The scrap glass is milled in the presence of particulate batch, preheated and fed to a glass melting furnace. The particulate batch aids in the milling of the scrap glass. The process removes the coatings from the scrap during preheating and provides clean material for melting.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the heat processing of granular materials by the counterflow of the granular material and preheated particulate heat exchange media through a processing drum rotatable about an inclined axis. The hot media is intimately mixed with the granular material internally of the drum to heat the material and to cool the media. Various arrangements are disclosed to recover the heat imparted to the material, or to utilize the media for successive heating operations, or to recover waste heat from other related heat processing operations or to utilize the material as preheated by the media.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for reducing the particulate emissions in exhaust gases for a glass melting furnace. This invention also may preheat glass batch to be charged to the furnace. An electrical charge is used to collect particulate from the exhaust gases and deposit them on oppositely charged solids. The counterflow of exhaust gases past the solids heats the solids for further processing resulting in the conservation of heat.

Abstract: A fin cooler clamp useable to quickly release and attach a fin cooler to a bushing frame is disclosed. A fin support bracket having a downwardly acing U-shaped channel is attachable to the bushing frame. A fin adjusting housing snap fits into the channel and can be quickly removed therefrom. A fin attaching block is adjustably carried at the forward end of the fin adjusting housing, and a fin block, to which the header block of the fin cooler is secured, is attached to the fin attaching block. Adjusting screws are provided to vary the inclination of the cooling fins, to tilt the fins from a vertical plane and to move the fin cooler along the length of the bushing assembly in either direction.

Abstract: A self purging fin cooler for use with a glass fiber forming bushing assembly is disclosed. A fin cooler header block is provided with a flow channel for coolant flow and a separate flow channel for cleaning liquid flow. A plurality of cleaning liquid distribution passages extend from the cleaning liquid flow channel to spray nozzles positioned between adjacent cooling fins that extend outwardly from the header block. Each spray nozzle produces a flat, fan shaped spray of cleaning liquid which removes contaminants that accumulate on the tops and sides of the cooling fins. A flow control valve assembly and frequency and duration timers are utilized to provide a controllable cleaning liquid spray frequency and duration. During non-spray periods a low volume of cleaning liquid to the spray nozzles insures that the nozzles will not become clogged.

Abstract: The heating media feeder includes a hollow conical frustum facing an inlet in the drum end plate, an aperture in the periphery of the conical frustum, a baffle outside the conical frustum aligned with a leading edge of the aperture therein, a circular plate adjacent a smaller end of the conical frustum, an aperture in the circular plate forwardly offset from that in the conical frustum, and a generally V-shaped chute on an opposite side of the circular plate aligned with the aperture therein.

Abstract: Methods for removing deposits formed in the heat exchange tube of waste heat recovery boilers for glass furnaces in which sodium aluminum silicate fine particles are introduced into the waste gases before they enter the heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: A process for the production of glass comprises introducing cullet or frit into a glass furnace and melting it therein to form a flux, and guiding the flux along a track, which may be slightly inclined. Preheated raw material components are applied to the surface of the flux substantially in the proportion of one part of flux to between one part to nine parts of raw material components on or in the flux so as to form a glass melt. The glass melt is then refined by introducing refining materials.

Abstract: Converting thermally meltable materials to a liquefied state is carried out on a support surface of the unmelted material. As liquefied material is drained from the surface, additional unmelted material is fed onto the surface to maintain a substantially constant layer of the unmelted material.

Abstract: A method of melting glass in a toroidal vortex reactor wherein first pulverized glass batch materials are entrained in an oxidant flow which creates a first gas-solids suspension. This first gas-solids suspension is heated in combusting fuel to form a heated suspension which is thereafter mixed with second glass forming ingredients, whereby a second gas-solids suspension is formed. The second gas-solids suspension is injected into the toroidal vortex reactor from a plurality of locations about the circumference thereof. The heated suspension particles in the reactor collide with each other and the wall of the reactor and form a glass layer which flows down the reactor wall and is withdrawn at the bottom thereof.

Abstract: Energy savings are attained by employing an organic liquid such as fuel oil as a glass batch wetting agent. Also, inclusion of fuel oil in a sulfur-containing glass batch yields improved melting rates.

Abstract: Converting thermally meltable materials to a liquefied state is carried out by a plasma heat source encircled by a layer of the unmelted material. As liquefied material is drained from the surface, additional unmelted material is fed onto the surface to maintain a substantially constant layer of the unmelted material, thereby maintaining the temperature of the melting vessel relatively low and eliminating the need for forced cooling of the vessel.

Abstract: A method of melting glass in a vortex reactor wherein first pulverized glass batch materials are entrained and preheated in a suspension preheater thereby creating a first gas-solids suspension. This first gas-solids suspension is thereafter mixed with a second gas-solids suspension comprised of additional glass batch material in a vortex reactor. The first gas-solids suspension and the second gas-solids suspension are introduced into the vortex reactor through at least one injector assembly. The stoichiometry and heat release in the vortex reactor are controlled by adjusting the oxidant/fuel ratio in the suspension preheater and the vortex reactor. The heated suspension particles are mixed and distributed to the walls of the vortex reactor by fluid mechanically induced centrifugal forces with glass forming reactions occurring along the vortex reactor walls. The formed glass is rapidly refined and homogenized along the vortex reactor walls in a thin layer under the influence of gas dynamic shear forces.

Abstract: In a two stage glass batch liquefying process, calcium source material is preheated in a first stage in the absence of the major sodium source material, and the heated calcium source material and the sodium source material are combined and liquefied in a second stage.

Abstract: A process for preheating particulate material is disclosed. The process also may be used for drying the particulate. The invention uses a heat exchange method that preferably employs furnace exhaust gases. In one embodiment, glass batch is preheated before being fed to a melting furnace. The invention involves the use of glass-ceramic materials as the heat exchange media.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for melting pulverulent material such as glass batch wherein liquefaction takes place on a stable layer of pulverulent material, adjustable means are provided for feeding the material in a controlled manner onto the active melting surface.

Abstract: Process control method and apparatus for an ablation liquefaction chamber including primary and secondary burners positioned to direct a primary combustion flame for electively heating portions of the chamber interior for control of product temperature and chamber pressure.

Abstract: Liquefying of pulverulent batch materials (e.g., glass batch) is carried out in two stages. The first stage utilizes extended gas/solid contact to heat the materials to an intermediate temperature, and may recover waste heat. The second stage rapidly liquefies the material in a cavity lined with the batch material, and may employ substantially nitrogen-free heat sources. Another aspect involves maintaining a wet condition in the first stage to entrap particulates.

Abstract: The outside walls of the regenerator of a glass melting furnace is coated with a high temperature silicone elastomer. Several coats are applied in those areas of high differential pressure and low relative resistance to air flow therethrough. The cleanout panels in particular are provided with several coats.

Abstract: A method of recovering heat from furnace flue gas which comprises passing the hot gases into contact with high specific heat media and the media into contact successively, with combustion gases and glass batch.

Abstract: Forming discrete bodies such as briquettes of glass forming raw materials is often advantageous in melting such materials to form said glasses. Such discrete bodies are formed by combining the particulate raw materials with a liquid binder and compressing the combination. This process is improved by using a dilute silicate solution as the liquid binder and by adding the maximum amount of the silicate solution to the raw materials that still provides a free-flowing dry appearing material. This amount of silicate solution results in a maximum crush strength when the discrete bodies are prepared.

Abstract: A method of removing coatings from glass fibers in which the fibers are introduced into a bed fluidized by a gas at elevated temperatures, the gas converting the coatings to substances which leave the bed with the gases.

Abstract: A glass composition which can be drawn into continuous filaments at a temperature of 1050.degree. C. or below, without risk of devitrification (crystallization), comprises by weight:______________________________________ % ______________________________________ SiO.sub.2 49-55 Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2-4 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 7-10 Na.sub.2 O 14-18 K.sub.2 O 0.5-3 CaO 8-12 ZnO 1-4.5 ZrO.sub.2 1-7.5 ______________________________________and has a 1000-poise viscosity temperature not greater than 1050.degree. C. and a liquidus temperature at least 20.degree. C. below the 1000-poise viscosity temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for delivering a solvent in the liquid state to a surface to be cleaned. The volume of the solvent and the time interval during which it is applied to the surface are selected so that the solvent reaches the surface in the liquid state. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is water which is sprayed at selected time intervals onto the lower surface of the distributor plate supporting a fluidized bed of glass batch material for preheating.

Abstract: A method for preheating glass batch is disclosed. Media heated with furnace exhaust gases is used to preheat the glass batch. This invention includes a way to clean furnace exhaust gas condensate from the surface of the media.

Abstract: A powdered raw material feeding device is mounted beside a glass melting tank for feeding the powdered raw materials of glass onto a surface of molten glass in the tank. The raw materials thus riding on the molten glass are forced to move in the downstream direction in response to the feeding of the raw materials to the tank. An obstruction device is stationarily mounted in the way of a heap of the raw materials on the molten glass so that an extreme end of the obstruction device is embedded in the heap of the raw materials on the molten glass at a position near the laterally central position of the path of the heap, whereby upon movement of the heap in the downstream direction, a certain magnitude of flow resistance is applied to the heap of the raw materials.

Abstract: A method of making foam glass by impregnating diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof, and insoluble modifiers, if any, with at least one water soluble glass former in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 2.5 to 20 weight percent of the impregnated diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof; at least one water soluble flux in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 8 to 20 weight percent of the impregnated diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof; and at least one gas generator. The diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof is impregnated by mixing diatomaceous earth, fly ash or mixtures thereof and an impregnating solution comprising at least one water soluble glass former in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 3 to 14 weight percent; at least one water soluble flux in an amount expressed as its oxide of about 10 to 20 weight percent; at least one gas generator, and water in an amount of about 50 to 80 weight percent.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preheating glass batch ingredients is disclosed. The invention uses a heat exchange method that preferably employs furnace exhaust gases. The heated batch then is fed to a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: A process for feeding scrap glass to a glass melting furnace is disclosed. The scrap glass is fed onto a blanket of batch in the furnace so that organics are burned off before the scrap melts.

Abstract: In a glass melting operation, cullet is employed as a particulate emissions collector. Cullet of a selected size is contacted with exhaust gases in a gas/solid contact vessel wherein particulates are deposited onto the cullet. Double screening of cullet is employed to avoid introducing cullet dust to the gas stream. Electrostatic means may be employed to enhance particulate collection in the bed of cullet.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preheating glass batch ingredients is disclosed. The invention uses a heat exchange method that preferably employs furnace exhaust gases. The heated batch then is fed to a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: Glass batch agglomerates are formed, fed to a vertical bed preheat hopper, dried and preheated with furnace exhaust gases, and then fed to a glass melting furnace. The green pellets may spall if the batch particle size distribution results in a pellet with insufficient pore volume to degas effectively. By employing clay having a coarse particle size in the glass batch agglomerates, spalling and stack emissions are reduced during drying and preheating.

Abstract: A means and method for preheating glass batch is disclosed. A media heated with furnace exhaust gases is used to preheat the glass batch. This invention includes a way to clean furnace exhaust gas condensate from the surface of the media.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preheating glass batch ingredients is disclosed. The invention uses a heat exchange method that preferably employs furnace exhaust gases. The heated batch then is fed to a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding pulverant raw material to an arc furnace having a plurality of arcing locations defined by vertical electrodes. A vertical feed tube gravitationally conveys the raw material to a central location inside the furnace which is above the arcing locations. A rotatable deflector is located at the bottom of the feed tube and is rotated in step-wise fashion to direct raw material from the feed tube to each of the arcing locations. A fixed deflector is located at each arcing location to confine the raw material fed into the furnace predominantly to the arcing locations. By locating most of the raw material at the arcing locations, the feeding mechanism of the present invention improves the stability of the arc and the melting efficiency of the furnace.

Abstract: A glass batch preheater in one stage of which hot flue gases from a glass melting furnace are passed through a bed of cullet and a bed of glass batch material. The bed of cullet, while being heated, filters dust and other particles from the hot flue gases while the bed of glass batch materials is simultaneously heated and fluidized. An alternative preheater includes a first stage and a second supplementary stage to further heat the glass batch material. A separate stage may also be used for elutriation of glass particles. Steam may be injected to provide moisture to the glass batch and for other purposes.

Abstract: Afterburning is employed with selective, non-catalytic reduction by ammonia injection to reduce NO.sub.x emissions of a process furnace, especially a glass melting furnace.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of glass is disclosed. Glass batch agglomerates are formed, fed to a vertical bed preheat hopper, dried and preheated with furnace exhaust gases, and then fed to a glass melting furnace. The spent exhaust gases are electrically charged and passed through an electrified bed of granules to remove glass batch particulate from the spent gases.

Abstract: Volatile borates and/or fluorides are removed from the hot stack gases of a glass furnace by passing the hot stack gases up through a layer of wet pellets containing ions of an alkaline earth metal or an alkali metal. The pellets may contain solid borates and/or fluorides as part of the feed to the glass furnace, and still absorb volatile materials from the stack gases, so long as the borates and/or fluorides in the pellets are in, or are converted to a less soluble and volatile form that are the volatile materials in the stack gases. Ca(OH).sub.2 is a preferred material for converting the volatiles into an essentially nonvolatile form. Ion exchange materials, such as clay, can also be used to capture these volatiles.