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: The initial step of melting glass, converting particulate batch materials to a partially melted, liquefied state, is carried out on a support surface of batch. As liquefied batch is drained from the surface, additional batch is fed onto the surface to maintain the surface substantially constant.

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: 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: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preheating pulverous materials, such as glass batch constituents, prior to their introduction into a melting furnace to increase the efficiency and output of the melting installation. The pulverous materials are passed downwardly by gravity through a shell and tube preheater including an interior exhaust chamber to vent the contained moisture from the heated pulverous material. The venting prevents moisture condensation and build-up of the pulverous material within the tubes and batch materials, especially in cooler areas, which can cause tube pluggage. The subject invention is of particular utility to the glass industry and especially glass melting furnaces, but is also applicable to other types of furnaces.

Abstract: In a glass melting operation, cullet is employed as a waste heat collector and/or particulate emissions collector. Cullet is contacted with exhaust gases in a gas/solid contact vessel wherein the cullet is heated and particulates are deposited onto the cullet. The heated cullet is preferably sent directly to the melting furnace. Electrostatic means may be employed to enhance particulate collection in the bed of cullet.

Abstract: Granular heat exchange medium is employed to recover waste heat from a combustion furnace, particularly a glass melting furnace, and the heated medium is then employed to pre-heat combustion air entering the furnace. A bed of granular heat exchange medium also may remove particulate emissions from the exhaust gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for manufacturing glass, and apparatus for effecting same, which comprises passing flue gases from a glass melting furnace through a bed of agglomerates of glass forming batch materials so as to heat the agglomerates to a temperature less than that at which they form an aggregated mass, cooling the flue gases as they pass through the bed with a heat exchanger positioned in the bed, and then melting the heated batch materials in a fossil fuel fired melter to form molten glass. The heat transfer medium of the indirect heat exchanger then is transported to a predryer to dry the agglomerates before they are fed to the preheat hopper.

Abstract: A pellet preheat hopper is disclosed, the hopper being equipped with agitator means proximately coincident with the upper operating pellet level to break up pellet encrustation.

Abstract: A method of preheating glass batch pellets in which a controlled first stream of hot gases is employed to predry pellets and a second stream of hot gases is employed to preheat the pellets and in which the two streams are combined and withdrawn from the system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for improving the preheating of pulverous materials, their introduction into melting furnaces, and their melting therein, with application to the recycling of some of the vitrifiable starting materials delivered to a tank furnace for glass making through a heat exchanger to raise its entry level temperature.

Abstract: The rate at which glass batch is melted to a liquid state is improved by providing a series of depressions having sloped surfaces in the glass batch at the charging end of the furnace. The sloped surfaces of the depression permit run-off of melted glass batch, thereby exposing the surface of fresh glass batch to the heat of the furnace. Depressions in the glass batch are made by projecting periodically a plurality of horizontally spaced independently suspended and independently operable tapered pothole-producing members into the glass batch material and pushing the glass batch beneath the tapered member into the below the surface of the molten glass a distance about equal to the height of the glass batch blanket. The action of the tapered member in producing the depression also provides a wave action to the body of molten glass in the vicinity of the charging end of the furnace, which enhances the rate of melting of glass batch materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for melting low-cost raw materials such as blast furnace slag, basalt, feldspar or electrophos slag in the formation of high temperature mineral wool insulation. The low-cost mineral stock material is fed in particulate form continuously to a preheater in which it is elevated to a temperature range of between 1500.degree. F. and 2000.degree. F. by forcing hot combustion gases through a vertical column of the particulate stock material. Volatiles such as water and carbon dioxide are thus removed from the stock material. The preheated stock material is distributed to the top of an electric melting furnace which is essentially sealed from atmosphere. A substantially homogenous, low viscosity liquid glass melt is continuously discharged from the furnace.

Abstract: NO.sub.x emissions from a glass melting furnace are reduced by injecting ammonia into the exhaust gas stream on a flue between primary and secondary regenerator chambers in one embodiment, and in staged zones within a regenerator in another embodiment.

Abstract: A process for preheating glass batch pellets is disclosed, the pellets being preheated by tumbling them into a heated gas stream and subsequently by contact of the pellets, in the form of a moving bed, with hot gases from the furnace in which the preheated pellets are melted to form molten glass from which fibers are formed.

Abstract: A preheater in the form of a vertical column for treating a vitrifiable composition introduced into the column at the top and which moves through the column by the force of gravity. The vitrifiable composition, which ultimately moves from the column to feed a glass-smelting furnace is treated through heat exchange with hot gases from a regenerator or recuperator of the smelting furnace which move upwardly through the column, against the flow of the vitrifiable composition. An element is located within the column to form a mixing chamber for hot gases within the region of the element and an upper sloping alignment of the vitrifiable composition which takes shape below the element, as well as to provide means for decelerating movement of the vitrifiable composition within the region of the axis of the column so that movement of the vitrifiable composition throughout the cross section of the column is substantially uniform.

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: The batch layer in a continuous glass melting furnace is guided by means of an elongated, horizontally extending, rudder-like member inserted into the upper side of the batch layer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus 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. A bypass wedge removes a portion of the exhaust gases below the top of the vertical bed to reduce superficial velocity and temperature of the gas through the top of the bed and reduce particulate emissions.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the level of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising: positioning two members in the molten glass in the furnace; supplying a source of alternating current to the members; detecting the impedance of a circuit comprising the two members and the electrical connection therebetween through the molten glass; and generating a signal responsive to the detected impedance as an indication of the level of molten glass in the furnace.

Abstract: Molten waste glass and rejected hot glass bottles from glass moulding processes are flattened in an apparatus comprising two rollers independently driven for rotation in opposing directions and having a gap therebetween through which the hot glass fed to the apparatus can be flattened, the two rollers being urged towards each other in normal operation at least one of the rollers being pivotally mounted. In order to prevent jamming of the apparatus there are provided means for swinging the pivotally mounted roller away from its normal operating position in the event of a foreign object being accidentally dropped into the apparatus and in the event of a power failure. Also there may be provided with a cam such that by rotation of the cam the pivotally mounted roller can be moved and the normal operating gap between the rollers altered. The gap between the rollers can be altered according to the rate of glass feed, the nature of glass fed to the apparatus and the required size of cullet granules.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for controlling the thickness of a blanket of batch floating on a body of molten glass in a glass melting furnace comprising feeding batch to the surface of the blanket of batch, sensing the radiation reflected from a sidewall of the furnace above the blanket of batch and controlling the feed rate of the batch in response to the sensed radiation to maintain the blanket of batch at a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preheating pulverous materials, such as glass batch constituents, prior to their introduction into a melting furnace to increase the efficiency and output of the melting installation. The pulverous materials are passed downwardly through a shell and tube preheater with sub-atmospheric pressure over the pulverous material to remove the contained moisture in vapor form from an upper region of the preheater. The decreased atmospheric pressure prevents moisture condensation and build-up on the pulverous material within the tubes, especially in cooler areas, which can cause tube pluggage. The subject invention is of particular utility to the glass industry, and especially glass melting furnaces, but is also applicable to other types of shell and tube heat-exchange applications.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for remelting scrap glass fibers is disclosed. The removal of binder and remelting of the scrap are carried out in one operation, and the resulting molten scrap fibers are fed directly into a conventional glass melting furnace. Granular raw glass batch also is fed into the glass melting furnace.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preheating pulverous materials, such as glass batch constituents, prior to their introduction into a melting furnace to increase the efficiency and output of the melting installation. The pulverous materials, including a dessicant-type constituent, are passed downwardly through a shell and tube preheater to absorb the contained moisture during their downward travel through the preheater. The inclusion of a dessicant material prevents moisture condensation and build-up of the pulverous material within the tubes, especially in cooler areas, which can cause tube pluggage. The subject invention is of particular utility to the glass industry and especially glass melting furnaces, but is also applicable to other types of furnaces.

Abstract: A method and system for quenching, drying, and elevating glass compositions comprising an incline reciprocating conveyor arranged to receive a stream of molten glass. The reciprocating conveyor has deep side and lower end walls in order to hold a pool of quenching liquid which is constantly replenished. The reciprocating action of the incline conveyor moves the quenched and shattered glass up out of the quenching pool to the higher end of the conveyor where it is drained and then delivered to a second conveyor. The second conveyor preferably comprises a helical vibrating conveyor surrounded by infrared heaters. The infrared heaters can be adjusted to supply just enough heat to the shattered glass on a helical vibrating conveyor surface to provide drying of the glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for preheating pulverous materials, such as glass batch constituents, prior to their introduction into a melting furnace to increase the efficiency and output of the melting installation. The pulverous materials are passed downwardly through a shell and tube preheater with super-atmospheric gas pressure over the pulverous material to force the contained moisture downwardly to be vented from a lower region of the preheater. The increased gas pressure prevents moisture condensation and build-up on the pulverous material within the tubes, especially in cooler areas, which can cause tube pluggage. The subject invention is of particular utility to the glass industry and especially glass melting furnaces, but is also applicable to other types of furnaces.

Abstract: Boron and/or fluorine values are reclaimed from a boron and/or fluorine laden gas stream emanating from a glass melter by means of a preheating bed of glass-forming batch agglomerates. The boron and/or fluorine values in such gases are first reacted with a boron and/or fluorine reactive material and the gases then conveyed into such a preheating bed to separate at least a portion of the reaction products.

Abstract: Apparatus for making holes through a layer of glass batch to enhance run-off of liquid includes a plurality of tapered members adapted for vertical reciprocation to penetrate the batch layer. At least a lower portion of each member is provided with a three-dimensioned shape corresponding generally to the shape of a hole to be produced in the batch layer, the shape having a relatively wide upper portion and a relatively narrow lower portion with tapering side surfaces therebetween oriented to produce lateral compaction of batch upon vertical insertion into the batch layer.At least a lower portion of each member is provided with a three-dimensional shape corresponding generally to the shape of a hole to be produced in the batch layer, the shape having a relatively wide upper portion and a relatively narrow lower portion with tapering side surfaces therebetween oriented to produce lateral compacting of batch upon vertical insertion into the batch layer.

Abstract: A pair of spaced opposing upstanding surfaces are provided and an inclined upwardly facing ramp surface extends therebetween and includes a lower marginal edge. A partial cylindrical wall extends axially between the upstanding surfaces and opens in a generally horizontal direction between and paralleling the upstanding surfaces. The partial cylindrical wall includes an upper marginal edge portion registered with the lower marginal edge of the inclined ramp surface and a generally radially partitioned feed wheel is journaled between the upstanding surfaces and has one side thereof closely embraced by the partial cylindrical wall. Drive structure drivingly rotates the wheel in a direction to move the upper radial partitions thereof in the general direction in which the partial cylindrical wall opens and a gravity discharge outlet is spaced above the wheel and the area between the upstanding surfaces above the lower portion of the inclined ramp surface.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of glass is disclosed. Glass batch agglomerates are formed, predryed, preheated and then fed to a glass melting furnace. The predrying is carried out in a fluidized bed predryer to prevent aggregation of the wet agglomerates.

Abstract: An apparatus for feeding glass batch materials into a pool of molten glass within a furnace comprises a base disposed at a batch-feeding end of the furnace above the pool of molten glass. A hopper for dispensing glass batch materials is mounted on the base and includes an outlet disposed above the molten glass. A plunger assembly is mounted on the base and includes a reciprocable plunger and an actuator for reciprocating the plunger in a linear direction past the hopper outlet into and from the pool of molten glass at the location where batch materials are deposited thereon. The plunger includes a pusher face for pushing dispensed batch materials beneath the surface of the pool of molten glass. A barrier is disposed on a side of the hopper outlet opposite the plunger. The barrier extends into the pool of molten material to the lowermost extent of the pusher face so that batch materials submerged by the plunger travel beneath the barrier and are isolated from the batch depositing location.

Abstract: The invention relates to batch feeders for furnaces. Heretofore batch feeders have been complex, expensive to construct, use and maintain and have not ensured a uniform deposition of particulate batch material onto the batch cover in the furnace. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for obtaining a uniform layer of batch material by moving a particulate-covering trough 62 over a desired area. Disposed within the trough 62 is a feed means 80 having a cavity at one end with an opening in alignment with a discharge opening in the trough. The sidewalls defining the cavity have a plurality of perforations 87 therein. The other end of the feed means is connected to a vibrator so that as the vibrator is vibrated the one end of the feed means moves back and forth through the particulate material in the trough 62. The particulate material is forced through the perforations 87 in the feed means 80 and falls, under the influence of gravity, towards the desired area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for initiating the preheating of pulverous materials in a tubular heat exchanger prior to their introduction into a melting furnace, with particular application to the recycling of all of the vitrifiable starting materials through the heat exchanger to eliminate moisture therefrom prior to delivery to a tank furnace for glass making to raise its entry-level temperature and improve furnace efficiency. The method involves rapidly recirculating all of the moisture-containing pulverous glass batch material through the open-ended tubes of a tubular sheet exchanger to heat the same and collect and remove moisture therefrom prior to initiation of delivery of any of the glass batch material in preheated condition to the glass melting furnace. The subject invention, as hereinafter described, is of particular utility to the glass industry, but it is to be understood that it is also applicable to other types of preheaters and furnaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preheating of pulverous materials in a tube heat exchanger prior to their introduction into a melting furnace, with particular application to the delivery by gravity of the vitrifiable starting materials through the heat exchanger to eliminate moisture therefrom prior to introduction of the essentially moisture-free materials into a tank furnace for glass making. The preheating serves to raise the entry-level temperature of the glass batch material and improve furnace fuel efficiency. The preheating involves recirculating at least part of the pulverous glass batch material through the open-ended tubes of the tubular heat exchanger to heat the same and remove moisture therefrom prior to initiating delivery of the glass batch material in preheated condition to the glass melting furnace. The present method is specifically directed at maintaining continuous operation of the preheater upon interruption of material flow through the preheater tubes for any reason.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in glass manufacturing processes of the type wherein combustion products are passed upwardly and in countercurrent flow through a bed of gravitationally downwardly moving agglomerates of glass forming batch constituents. The improvement resides in utilizing excess sensible heat in the combustion products by passing raw colemanite through such a bed in indirect heat exchange contact with the combustion products so as to heat such colemanite to a temperature in excess of that needed to release its chemically bound water and then employing such colemanite as a batch ingredient.

Abstract: Raw colemanite is introduced into the flue gas stream emanating in a combustion-fired furnace, which flue gas stream will contain boron values and if the glass being manufactured contains fluorine, will also containe fluorine values. This introduction provides for the calcination of the raw colemanite and likewise provides for pollution abating features by a reaction with the boron values and the fluorine values.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is presented particularly suitable for blending and homogenizing a low viscosity molten additive into a relatively high viscosity host glass composition as it flows through a supply forehearth. The blending and homogenizing is performed by a rotating spiral stirrer operating within a mixing well simultaneously mixing and pumping the molten mixture therethrough. The spiral stirrer may be used separately or in concert with one or more spiral stirrers.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for feeding glass batch agglomerates or raw batch to a glass melting furnace is disclosed. The invention employs a rotating chute or feeder which can be operated at various angles and speeds of rotation to ensure uniform pellet distribution.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace, especially fully electrically heated glass melting furnace, comprising a wall of refractory material, said wall being circular or having the configuration of a regular polygon, and wherein a supporting frame is provided at the exterior side thereof, comprising a cover or roof of refractory material being supported by overlying tierods or beams including wheels travelling on an annular or circular track rail and permitting said roof to be rotated in a horizontal plane; bin means and conveyor means for feeding the batch material into at least one hopper positioned on said roof; and bin means and conveyor means for the controlled supply of the batch material from said hopper or hoppers into a slot or into openings formed in the refractory material of said roof with different radial spacings from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for distributing a downwardly flowing stream of water-containing glass batch agglomerates in such fashion that the stream is diverted so as to form a bed of substantially uniform height on an agglomerate-supporting bottom wall of an enclosed chamber. There is contemplated the use of plural members for this purpose, including a first member, preferably in the shape of a tubular-like, right frusto-conical member and disposed internally thereof a second member, preferably in the form of a right, frusto-pyramidal member.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preconditioning and preheating pellets of glass batch prior to heating and melting them in a furnace. Components of glass batch are mixed together and combined with water to form agglomerates, e.g., pellets. These agglomerates are supplied to a hopper through which hot combustion gases are passed and they are preheated to an elevated temperature in the hopper prior to entering the melting furnace, thereby resulting in a savings of substantial amounts of energy. Moisture is removed from the agglomerate prior to their being supplied to the hopper; hence, the tendency for the agglomerates to adhere to one another and form aggregates, or clinkers, is substantially controlled. For that purpose, the agglomerates are collected in a preconditioner having receptacles located above the bed of agglomerates in the hopper with the hot gases also passing through the agglomerates in the receptacles after passing through the bed in the hopper.

Abstract: Some free water containing glass batch agglomerate formulations when attempted to be dried and heated in a vertical bed prior to being discharged to a glass melter for vitrification convert into large aggregates which cannot be suitably supplied to the melter. The present invention solves this process disabling aggregate formation by treating such agglomerates in a preconditioning chamber(s) prior to supplying them into a vertical bed so as to preclude serious aggregate formation in either the preconditioner or the vertical bed. Such treatment is employed in manufacturing glass with a fossil fuel fired melter or an electrically operated melter.

Abstract: A heating chamber for pellets of glass batch material has a pellet inlet in one wall of the chamber and a pellet outlet at a lower part of the chamber so that a bed of pellets is formed with an upper surface inclined at an angle of repose of the pellets. Hot gas is fed into the bed of pellets through a plurality of outlets arranged in a plane parallel to the surface of the bed so that gas emerging from all the outlets has a substantially constant path length to the surface of the bed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the formation of lumps or pellets of mixtures of raw materials for glass. Soda and water are added to a mixture of the raw materials in a mixing container. The resulting mixture is at least partially heated for vaporization of the water and the mixture is compressed in a roller press. Pellets or lumps result which are fed to a heat exchanger for pre-heating prior to introduction into a melting furnace. Exhaust gases from a furnace are fed to the heat exchanger and also to the mixing container and a supply container for the roller press.

Abstract: A blanket feeder type glass batch feeding apparatus for preventing the leakage of the atmosphere in a glass melting furnace is provided. The glass batch feeding apparatus comprises a sealing case for surrounding a reciprocally movable batch feeding trough and extending to a batch feeding opening of the glass melting furnace, a shelter plate disposed at the outlet of the sealing case and a damper plate disposed in the sealing case wherein the shelter plate and the damper plate are respectively contacted with a glass batch layer fed into the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in glass manufacturing methods of the type which involve providing water containing agglomerates of glass batch, heating the agglomerates by direct contact with furnace flue gases so as to dry them and increase their temperature, the heating being insufficient however, to cause the agglomerates to aggregate, transporting those heated agglomerates to a fossil-fueled melter and melting them in the melter. The improvement resides in the heating being done in at least two stages, the flue gases withdrawn from one stage, heat recovered therefrom and then the cooled flue gases being introduced into the other stage. The heat withdrawn from the flue gases may be employed for beneficial purposes.

Abstract: To retard the escape of hot gases and dust from batch material being charged from a mechanical batch feeder into the doghouse at the charging end of a glass melting furnace, there is provided an enclosure comprised of two sections, one of which is supported on the side walls of the furnace over the doghouse area and which is closed at its back above the doghouse by the suspended arch wall of the furnace, the other of said enclosure sections being entirely supported on the batch feeder. It has top and end portions, the edges of which confront the top and edges of the furnace supported section when the feeder is in place to deliver batch material to the doghouse. Packing material forms a seal between said confronting edges. The feeder, however, may be quickly moved away from the furnace in case of need or emergency or for the repair of the furnace or the feeder.

Abstract: A batch material feeder for an electrically heated opentop refractory furnace, particularly a circular furnace, wherein the feeder includes a trough holding batch material and mounted over the furnace top, there being a rotatable agitator within the trough for moving batch material over discharge openings in the trough bottom, so as to deposit the batch material over the top of the molten mass in a manner that provides for a thin uniform layer of batch while assuring proper control of the thickness of the deposited layer.