Abstract: A batch feeding apparatus, a submerged combustion melter, and method are disclosed. The batch feeding apparatus can include a batch feeding apparatus comprising a detachable feeder alcove for providing batch material to a melter, the feeder alcove including at least one side wall and a cover; and a batch feeder sealingly coupled to the cover, that feeds the batch material to the feeder alcove. The batch feeding apparatus may include an extendable panel that extends downwardly below a batch inlet of the feeder alcove to molten glass, and is configured to maintain contact with the molten glass to seal off a feeder alcove interior. Additionally, the batch feeding apparatus may include a heating device, a cleaning device, and/or a storage device.

Abstract: Employing furnace combustion gases for both thermochemical regeneration and heating of regenerators to preheat oxidant for the furnace provides synergistic efficiencies and other advantages.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a melter assembly (1) for melting solid raw batch material, which comprises a submerged combustion melter section (3) and an afterburner section (5), wherein the submerged combustion melter section is designed to contain the melt bath (4) at a maximum melt level (4?) and comprises at least one submerged combustion burner (21) and a melt outlet (9), and wherein the afterburner section (5) is designed as a space contiguous with, and in continuity of, the internal space defined by the submerged combustion melter section (3), and arranged over the maximum melt level (4?) of the submerged combustion melter section (3). The afterburner section (5) is dimensioned such that the gases escaping from the melt bath (4) remain for at least 2 seconds at a temperature of at least 850° C. in said afterburner section (5), prior to being evacuated to the environment. The invention also relates to a process making use of such melter assembly (1).

Abstract: A submerged combustion melter includes a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof defining an internal space. A first portion of the internal space defines a melting zone, and a second portion defines a fining zone immediately downstream of the melting zone. One or more combustion burners in either the floor, roof, the sidewall structure, or any combination of these, are configured to emit the combustion gases from a position under a level of, and positioned to transfer heat to and produce, a turbulent molten mass of glass containing bubbles in the melting zone. The fining zone is devoid of combustion burners or other apparatus or components that would increase turbulence above that in the melting zone. The melter may include a treating zone that stabilizes or destabilizes bubbles and/or foam. Processes of using the melters are a feature of the disclosure.

Abstract: Processes of controlling submerged combustion melters, and systems for carrying out the methods. One process includes feeding vitrifiable material into a melter vessel, the melter vessel including a fluid-cooled refractory panel in its floor, ceiling, and/or sidewall, and heating the vitrifiable material with a burner directing combustion products into the melting zone under a level of the molten material in the zone. Burners impart turbulence to the molten material in the melting zone. The fluid-cooled refractory panel is cooled, forming a modified panel having a frozen or highly viscous material layer on a surface of the panel facing the molten material, and a sensor senses temperature of the modified panel using a protected thermocouple positioned in the modified panel shielded from direct contact with turbulent molten material. Processes include controlling the melter using the temperature of the modified panel. Other processes and systems are presented.

Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having a roof, a floor, a wall structure connecting the roof and floor, and an outlet, the melter producing an initial foamy molten glass. One or more non-submerged auxiliary burners are positioned in the roof and/or wall structure and configured to deliver combustion products to impact at least a portion of the bubbles with sufficient force and/or heat to burst at least some of the bubbles and form a reduced foam molten glass.

Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having a roof, a floor, a wall structure connecting the roof and floor, and an outlet, the melter producing an initial foamy molten glass. One or more non-submerged auxiliary burners are positioned in the roof and/or wall structure and configured to deliver combustion products to impact at least a portion of the bubbles with sufficient force and/or heat to burst at least some of the bubbles and form a reduced foam molten glass.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.

Abstract: Melters for glass forming apparatuses and glass forming apparatuses comprising the same are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a melter for melting glass batch materials includes a base portion and a rigid exoskeleton rigidly attached to the base portion and comprising a plurality of upright members interconnected with a plurality of cross members defining an exoskeleton interior volume. Connection nodes formed at intersections of the plurality of cross members with upper ends of the plurality of upright members are constrained from movement relative to the base portion in a longitudinal direction, a transverse direction, and a vertical direction. A tank assembly is positioned on the base portion in the exoskeleton interior volume and coupled to the rigid exoskeleton. In some embodiments, the melter has a dynamic resistance greater than 0.3.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a method of use for large ceramic member support and manipulation at elevated temperatures in non-oxidizing atmospheres, such as using carbon-carbon composite materials for producing high purity silicon in the manufacture of solar modules. The high temperature apparatus of this invention includes one or more support ribs, one or more cross braces in combination with the one or more support ribs, and a shaped support liner positionable upon the one or more support ribs and the one or more cross braces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass meting furnace comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch materials being introduced at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which the combustion energy is produced by oxy-fuel combustion in respect of at least 65% thereof, the burners being distributed on the walls along the length of the furnace, in which flue gas discharge is mostly localized close to the upstream end near the openings through which the batch materials are introduced, the rest of the flue gas being removed close to the downstream part so as to maintain dynamic sealing with respect to the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A glass making process comprising a step of fining the molten glass in a fining vessel comprising a top wall portion not in direct contact with the molten glass, and a side wall portion in direct contact with the molten glass, wherein the top wall portion has a temperature T(top), the side wall portion has a temperature T(side), and T(top)?T(side)?10° C., and a glass fining system. The invention is particularly useful for glass fining systems comprising a metal fining vessel made of precious metals such as Pt and/or Pt—Rh alloys.

Abstract: Device (20) for purifying a molten material such as silicon, comprising a chamber (21) comprising a crucible (2; 15) for storing a molten material and a heating device (4) for heating the molten material contained in the crucible, the chamber being equipped with a device (22) for greatly lowering the pressure in the chamber, characterized in that it comprises at least one evaporator (10; 10, 10?) placed inside the chamber to receive part of the molten material, such that this molten material has a large interface with low-pressure vapour present in the chamber (21) to promote and accelerate the purification of the molten material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a glass melting furnace, comprising a channel-shaped melting tank, the batch material being charged at an upstream end, the molten glass being recovered at the downstream end, said furnace being heated by means of burners, in which 80% of the combustion energy is produced by oxycombustion, oxygen being supplied continuously from a production plant located nearby or via a gas pipe from remotely located plants, characterized in that the furnace is fitted with oxygen storage means such that, should continuous supply cease, the furnace can operate at least in a temperature-maintaining mode for a maximum time of eight hours.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a first and second conduits configured to form an annulus between them. An adjustable structure includes a body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a circumferential surface abutting a portion of the internal surface of the second conduit. The structure is adjustable axially in relation to and removably attached to the first conduit via a hub. The hub defines a central passage for fuel or oxidant. The body has one or more non-central through passages configured such that flow of an oxidant or fuel therethrough causes the fuel or oxidant to intersect flow of fuel or oxidant exiting from the central passage in a region above the upper surface of the body.

Abstract: This invention relates to the continuous production of molten glass for further production of glassware and can be used for glass melting and obtaining glass semiproduct. The technical objective of this invention is to provide a method and a furnace for producing molten glass with stabilized physical properties due to an increased phase boundary area, higher temperature in the glass furnace bath and intensified mixing as well as due to a higher output of the glass furnace. Molten glass layer bubbling glass melting method comprising melting the glass layer in the first chamber of the furnace to the working level, further uninterrupted loading of large and small charge portions into the molten glass layer with simultaneous intense bubbling of the molten glass layer with high-temperature combustion products aiming at the formation of the maximum possible charge/molten glass phase boundary area and achieving a molten glass temperature of at least 1500° C.

Abstract: In order to provide a vitreous silica crucible which does not employ a crystallization accelerator but is difficult to deform during its use even under high temperature, and is easily manufactured, there is provided a vitreous silica crucible for pulling single-crystal silicon wherein the outer surface layer is formed of a bubble-containing vitreous silica layer, the inner surface layer is formed of a vitreous silica layer whose bubbles are invisible to the naked eye, a surface of the outer surface layer includes an unmelted or half-melted silica layer (abbreviated as a half-melted silica layer), and the center line average roughness (Ra) of the half-melted silica layer is 50 to 200 ?m, also preferably, and the thickness of the half-melted silica layer is 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

Abstract: A float glass furnace includes a melting furnace which heats raw materials to form a molten glass batch, a working end where the molten glass batch is cooled, at least one regenerator which introduces heated combustion air into the melting furnace through a port neck, and at least one oxygen lance in or proximate the port neck. The oxygen lance includes a lance pipe in fluid communication with the port neck, an outer shell surrounding the lance pipe, an inlet water passageway in fluid communication with a channel(s) between an exterior surface of the lance pipe and an interior surface of the outer shell, and an outlet water passageway in fluid communication with the channel(s).

Abstract: Submerged combustion glass manufacturing systems include a melter having a floor, a roof, a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, and an exhaust passage through the roof. One or more submerged combustion burners are mounted in the floor and/or wall structure discharging combustion products under a level of material being melted in the melter and create turbulent conditions in the material. The melter exhausts through an exhaust structure connecting the exhaust passage with an exhaust stack. The exhaust structure includes a barrier defining an exhaust chamber having an interior surface, the exhaust chamber having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the exhaust stack but less than the melter. The barrier maintains temperature and pressure in the exhaust structure at values sufficient to substantially prevent condensation of exhaust material on the interior surface.

Abstract: A melter apparatus includes a floor, a ceiling, and a substantially vertical wall connecting the floor and ceiling at a perimeter of the floor and ceiling, a melting zone being defined by the floor, ceiling and wall, the melting zone having a feed inlet and a molten glass outlet positioned at opposing ends of the melting zone. The melting zone includes an expanding zone beginning at the inlet and extending to an intermediate location relative to the opposing ends, and a narrowing zone extending from the intermediate location to the outlet. One or more burners, at least some of which are positioned to direct combustion products into the melting zone under a level of molten glass in the zone, are also provided.

Abstract: A current conducting melting vessel within which glass can be melted is provided. At least two induction heating coils are provided at selected locations proximate to the melting vessel. Power is selectively supplied to the coils to thereby selectively energize the coils so that the mutual induction of current in a non-energized heating coil adjacent to an energized heating coil is prevented via a switching element in power supply circuitry associated with the non-energized coil.

Abstract: Submerged combustion glass manufacturing systems include a melter having a floor, a roof, a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, and an exhaust passage through the roof. One or more submerged combustion burners are mounted in the floor and/or wall structure discharging combustion products under a level of material being melted in the melter and create turbulent conditions in the material. The melter exhausts through an exhaust structure connecting the exhaust passage with an exhaust stack. The exhaust structure includes a barrier defining an exhaust chamber having an interior surface, the exhaust chamber having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the exhaust stack but less than the melter. The barrier maintains temperature and pressure in the exhaust structure at values sufficient to substantially prevent condensation of exhaust material on the interior surface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling bubble size and bubble decay rate of glass foams formed during submerged combustion melting. Flowing a molten mass of foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus has a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. The foamed glass has glass foam of glass foam bubbles on its top surface, and the downstream apparatus defines a space for a gaseous atmosphere above and in contact with the glass foam. The downstream apparatus includes heating components to heat or maintain temperature of the foamed glass. Adjusting composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam, and/or contacting the foam with a liquid or solid composition controls bubble size of the glass foam bubbles, and/or foam decay rate.

Abstract: A submerged combustion melter includes a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof defining an internal space. A first portion of the internal space defines a melting zone, and a second portion defines a fining zone immediately downstream of the melting zone. One or more combustion burners in either the floor, roof, the sidewall structure, or any combination of these, are configured to emit the combustion gases from a position under a level of, and positioned to transfer heat to and produce, a turbulent molten mass of glass containing bubbles in the melting zone. The fining zone is devoid of combustion burners or other apparatus or components that would increase turbulence above that in the melting zone. The melter may include a treating zone that stabilizes or destabilizes bubbles and/or foam. Processes of using the melters are a feature of the disclosure.

Abstract: The silicon purification method uses a silicon purification device including at least a crucible for loading a silicon metal and a plasma torch, and purifies the silicon metal by injecting a plasma gas from the plasma torch toward a melt surface of the silicon metal loaded in the crucible in a state where an angle formed by the melt surface and the plasma gas is set in the range of 20° to 80°.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method of reducing contamination of a glass melt in a stirring apparatus by an oxide material. The oxide material, such as platinum oxide, may be volatilized by the high temperature of the glass melt, and then condense on the inside surfaces of a stirring vessel, particularly the stirrer shaft and surrounding surfaces of the stirring vessel cover. A build-up of condensed oxide material may then be dislodged and fall back into the glass melt. Accordingly, an apparatus and method is provided that includes a heating element disposed adjacent an annular gap between the stirring vessel cover and the stirrer shaft. The heating element heats a surface of the stirring vessel cover bounding the annular gap and prevents condensation of volatile oxides that may flow through the annular gap.

Abstract: Objective of the present invention is to provide a glass melting furnace, a process for modifying a glass melt and a process for producing glass melt, whereby composition-modified glass melt containing an additive component at a high concentration can be produced with an excellent quality. The glass melting furnace 10 of the present invention is a glass melting furnace 10 for adding an additive to a molten state glass to form composition-modified glass melt, discharging the composition-modified glass melt, and a forehearth 20, said forehearth comprising a feed portion to feed an additive, and a heating means to form a heating gas phase portion above the liquid surface of the glass melt to convert the additive from the feed portion into melted particles of additive below the feed portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a mineral melt burns combustible material in the presence of inorganic material to form a melt. The apparatus includes a circulating combustion chamber which receives a fuel, pre-heated mineral material and a combustion gas, melts the mineral material and generates exhaust gases which are separated from the melt. The gases pass through an exhaust pipe to a conduit of a heat exchange system. The apparatus includes a quenching hood for quenching the exhaust gases by drafting a cooling fluid, such as ambient air, into the flow of exhaust gases around the exhaust pipe, and wherein the exhaust gases exit the exhaust pipe inside the hood.

Abstract: A powder including, in percentages by weight: (a) 94% to 99% of particles of at least one refractory material, the main constituent(s) of which are alumina and/or zirconia and/or silica; (b) 1% to 6% of a hydraulic cement; (c) 0 to 0.03% of organic fibers; (d) optionally, 0.075% to 1% of a surfactant; and (e) optionally, a setting accelerator, where the fraction of particles having a size below 40 ?m being distributed, in percentages by weight relative to the weight of the powder, in the following manner: (1) fraction<0.5 ?m: ?4%, (2) fraction<2 ?m: ?5%, fraction<10 ?m: ?16%, and fraction<40 ?m: 29-45%, where the proportion of zirconia in the fraction of particles having a size smaller than 10 ?m, called “fines”, is between 35% and 75% by weight relative to the total weight of said fraction.

Abstract: A method for melting meltable stock, such as glass includes a melting furnace (10) heated via a burner flame (25,29) generated by a burner port, through which fuel and oxidizer are supplied, a fuel-rich gas stream introduced into the furnace downstream from the burner port via at least one substoichiometrically operated burner (20,22) and/or a fuel or fuel mixture being introduced into the furnace downstream from the burner arrangement via at least one fuel nozzle, and a oxygen containing gas stream being introduced into the furnace downstream from the at least one substoichiometrically operated burner and/or the at least one fuel nozzle. A furnace device is also provided.

Abstract: Submerged combustion glass manufacturing systems include a melter having a floor, a roof, a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, and an exhaust passage through the roof. One or more submerged combustion burners are mounted in the floor and/or wall structure discharging combustion products under a level of material being melted in the melter and create turbulent conditions in the material. The melter exhausts through an exhaust structure connecting the exhaust passage with an exhaust stack. The exhaust structure includes a barrier defining an exhaust chamber having an interior surface, the exhaust chamber having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the exhaust stack but less than the melter. The barrier maintains temperature and pressure in the exhaust structure at values sufficient to substantially prevent condensation of exhaust material on the interior surface.

Abstract: Submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One system includes a submerged combustion melter having a roof, a floor, a wall structure connecting the roof and floor, and an outlet, the melter producing an initial foamy molten glass. One or more non-submerged auxiliary burners are positioned in the roof and/or wall structure and configured to deliver combustion products to impact at least a portion of the bubbles with sufficient force and/or heat to burst at least some of the bubbles and form a reduced foam molten glass.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for refining and delivering a supply of molten glass include melting a supply of glass in a melter and discharging a stream of molten glass. A refining section is provided to refine the molten glass discharged by the melter and to deliver the molten glass downstream to a glass forming apparatus. The refining section is mounted for movement into and out of contact with the stream of molten glass to connect and disconnect the glass forming apparatus with the stream of molten glass.

Abstract: A foam and frothy glass mixture that forms on a pool of molten glass and inhibits heat transfer between the overhead flames and the pool of molten glass is decreased, if not eliminated, by spreading a glass fluxing agent, e.g. but not limiting to the invention, sodium sulfate over the foam and/or frothy glass mixture.

Abstract: A glass manufacturing container includes a container body and an electron donor. The container body is made of a precious metal or an alloy containing a precious metal and has an inner surface to be brought into contact with molten glass and an outer surface kept from contact with molten glass. The electron donor is electrically connected to the outer surface of the container body. The electron donor is made of an electron donating material capable of donating electrons to the container body at operating temperatures.

Abstract: Glass is mass-produced with a glass melting furnace comprising a melting tank, at least a wall surface in contact with molten glass thereof being made of refractory material, at least one pair of electrodes placed so as to be in contact with the molten glass held in the melting tank for ohmically heating the molten glass held in the melting tank; and at least one metallic member, at least a surface of which is made of metal and placed so as to be substantially always in contact with the molten glass held in the melting tank. Every metallic member is, when the melting tank is filled with the molten glass, placed so as to be substantially always outside an electric current flowing region which is formed by the electrodes into the molten glass held in the melting tank.

Abstract: In the apparatus for producing glass reduction of reduction-sensitive components in the glass melt is reduced or preferably is prevented during the melting and/or fining processes by introducing an oxidizing agent into the glass melt. The apparatus has a melt crucible, a fining vessel, and a device for conducting oxygen and/or ozone into the glass melt in the melt crucible and/or fining vessel, in order to suppress reduction of reduction-sensitive components of the glass melt. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus has a metallic skull crucible, which includes the melt crucible and/or the fining vessel. The apparatus preferably includes a homogenization unit connected to the fining vessel to receive glass melt from the fining vessel in order to further process the glass melt after refining.

Abstract: A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is comprised of an uprising pipe, a vacuum degassing vessel, a downfalling pipe, an upstream side pit that supplies molten glass to the uprising pipe, and a downstream side pit that receives molten glass from the downfalling pipe. The vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass is further comprised of a separating mechanism that separates a part of molten glass moving from the downfalling pipe to the downstream side pit, and a returning pipe that returns separated molten glass to the upstream side pit.

Abstract: A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory lined glass melter is disclosed. The refractory lined melter is suited to the batch compositions disclosed for the formation high modulus, and high-strength glass fibers. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 70.5 Weight % SiO2, 24.5 weight % Al2O3, 22 weight % alkaline earth oxides and may include small amounts of alkali metal oxides and ZrO2. Oxide based refractories included alumina, chromic oxide, silica, alumina-silica, zircon, zirconia-alumina-silica and combinations thereof. By using oxide based refractory lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers using a platinum lined melting furnace. Fibers formed by the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer.

Abstract: Glass raw material particles are dropped from an oxygen combustion burner 24, and the glass raw material particles are heated by a flame F of an oxygen combustion burner 24 and a thermal plasma P, to melt the particles. Liquid glass particles 30 produced by the melting fall downwardly in a melting tank 12, and fall on a surface of a molten glass liquid G in the melting tank 12. Then, an upper layer G1 of the molten glass liquid G is heated by electrodes 40, 40 of a heating apparatus 38 provided in the melting tank 12. By this method, air and residual gas generated in the molten glass liquid G and the liquid glass particles 30 fallen onto the surface of the molten glass liquid G, become bubbles, surface and are smoothly discharged.

Abstract: The invention relates to a furnace for melting and fining glass, which includes: a vault provided with a heating means, a hearth (2) forming the bottom of a vat containing a bath (3) of molten glass, a width restriction (4), in particular a corset, defining a downstream portion (5) and an upstream portion (6) in the vat, and an outlet through which the molten glass is discharged, a secondary recirculation loop (B) for the molten glass forming in the bath between a hotter inner area of the furnace and the cooler outlet, said loop passing through the corset; the furnace comprises a means (M) for adjusting the width through which the glass can pass into the secondary recirculation loop, said adjustment means being submerged in the bath and extending vertically over most of the depth of the bath.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass furnace for heating and melting materials to be vitrified, in which two loops (B1, B2) for recirculating molten glass are formed in the bath between a hotter central area (I) of the furnace and the entrance and exit at a lower temperature, respectively. The furnace comprises a means (X) for slowing the flow of molten glass in the primary recirculation loop (B1).

Abstract: A molten glass delivery system is modified to match it with the overflow downdraw process. A substantial number of defects not removed by the finer are diverted to the unusable inlet and distal edges of the sheet. In one embodiment, the stirring device is relocated from the outlet to the inlet of the finer. In another embodiment, the basic shape of the finer is preferably changed from a cylindrical shape to a Double Apex (or Gull Wing) shaped cross-section, whereby the apexes of the finer contain the glass that will form the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer vent or vents are preferably located at these apexes such that any homogeneity defects caused by the vents are diverted to the unusable inlet end of the glass sheet. The finer cross-section has a high aspect ratio for increased fining efficiency as compared to a cylindrical finer.

Abstract: The present invention significantly modifies the currently known fining apparatus (finer). The basic shape is changed from a cylindrical shape to an elliptical shape, a somewhat rectangular shape, variations on a gabled roof shape, or variations on a gothic arch shape, such that the flow is more uniform and the seeds have less distance to rise to the surface. Baffles of a novel design are optionally included in an embodiment of the present invention to further increase fining performance. Prior art baffle designs are optionally included in an embodiment of the present invention to trap seeds and serve as structural elements. The present invention improves the fining capability of the apparatus without increasing the cost of construction materials. In fact, the cost would be reduced for the same fining performance by shortening the length of the finer.

Abstract: A glass melting oven for producing a glass melt in a row arrangement, having a loading opening for raw glass materials, a melting region, a refining region, a constriction, a conditioning region and an overflow into a processing unit. To remove flaws from the melt that remain visible in the end product, a method includes the steps of a) arranging a refining bench between the melting region and the beginning of the refining region; b) arranging side burners and extraction openings for flue gases between the loading opening and the refining bench; c) delimiting the constriction at both ends by end walls that leave narrow flow cross-sections above the glass melt for flue gases; and d) cooling the glass melt inside the constriction. The glass melting oven is particularly suited for producing flat glass and panels for solar elements. The oxidants for the fuels may also be preheated.

Abstract: A melter apparatus includes a floor, a ceiling, and a substantially vertical wall connecting the floor and ceiling at a perimeter of the floor and ceiling, a melting zone being defined by the floor, ceiling and wall, the melting zone having a feed inlet and a molten glass outlet positioned at opposing ends of the melting zone. The melting zone includes an expanding zone beginning at the inlet and extending to an intermediate location relative to the opposing ends, and a narrowing zone extending from the intermediate location to the outlet. One or more burners, at least some of which are positioned to direct combustion products into the melting zone under a level of molten glass in the zone, are also provided.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for making a glass preform with nanofiber reinforcement. The apparatus comprises a container for melting one or more glass components in a mixture comprising the glass components and one or more nanofibers. The container has an opening that allows escape of any gas released from the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more heating elements for heating the container. The apparatus further comprises one or more electric field devices, positioned exterior to the glass components, that create an electric field in a volume of the mixture in order to orient the nanofibers within the glass components when the glass components are melted in the container.

Abstract: A plant for producing inorganic fibers from rocks includes a furnace for obtaining a melt connected to a feeder, working aperture and a warmed feeder with draw dies located below a working aperture. A transition chamber is installed on the feeder exit, the transition chamber intended for creation of a thin layer melt flow. An enclosure contains the working aperture. The transition chamber has a heater, a threshold installed at an entrance of the transition chamber and a plate rigidly fixed to an adjustable damper located over the threshold and adapted to move up and down together with the adjustable damper, with the plate surface being parallel to the bottom of the transition chamber. The plant is intended for obtaining the melt flow of a desired thickness and quality.

Abstract: Corrosion of the inner surface of the crown of a glassmelting furnace is reduced or avoided by directing at low velocity along that surface a gaseous stream comprising water vapor, or comprising the combustion products of an oxy-fuel burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio of at least 1.0, or the combustion products of a burner operated at a stoichiometric ratio less than 1.0, or by injecting into the furnace interior a gaseous reactant which reacts with alkali species in said space.