Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melting solid glass forming ingredients in a regenerative of recuperative furnace having an upstream melting zone and a downstream fining zone comprising:a) introducing said solid glass forming ingredients into said upstream melting zone;b) heating said solid glass forming ingredients so that an interface of solid glass forming ingredients and molten glass is formed;c) providing heat sufficient to maintain the molten glass in the molten state through said downstream fining zone and sufficient to melt said solid glass forming ingredients, wherein at least a part of said heat is provided by at least one flame from at least one oxygen-fuel burner located on the roof of said furnace, the position of said at least one oxygen-fuel burner on the roof being such that the tip of its flame is directed approximately at the interface of said solid glass forming ingredients and said molten glass in an angle ranging from about 25.degree. to about 90.degree.

Abstract: A glass melter 30 having a mixing impeller 34 for converting a feed stream 38 supplied to a vessel 32 into a vitrified glass melt 50. Heating means such as electrodes 36 or a gas burner 58 are used to heat the glass melt 50. Electrode 36 arrangements are proposed for minimizing current flow through the impeller 34. Current flow through a special continuous circular impeller or conical pump 70 is disclosed. A cylindrical vessel 98, triangular vessel 94, square vessel 32, and hexagonal vessel 96 are disclosed. Methods of processing particular waste streams are disclosed including coated mineral fibers, fly ash, radioactive material, chemical waste and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for melting glass forming ingredients in a glass melting furnace adapted therefore, said furnace having an upstream melting zone and a downstream fining zone, wherein the glass forming ingredients introduced to the upstream melting zone via inlet means and the resulting melt therefrom travel along a path from the melting zone to the fining zone, said melt being withdrawn from outlet means which communicate with the fining zone, the improvement comprising; providing at least one high momentum oxygen-fired flame in the vicinity of said outlet means to sweep unmelted glass forming ingredients floating on the surface of the melt in said vicinity to prevent said unmelted glass forming ingredients from entering the outlet means whereby the contamination of an outflowing molten glass from said outlet means is avoided or reduced.

Abstract: A continuous glass-melting tank furnace includes a melting compartment including a melting tank having a lower part, and a superstructure equipped with heaters for receiving and melting raw batch material. Additionally included is a separate refining compartment including a refining tank and a superstructure equipped with a further heater, the refining tank having a lower part and including a transverse sill which divides the refining tank into an upstream refining cell and a downstream refining cell, each of the upstream refining cell and the downstream refining cell having respective upstream ends and downstream ends, and the further heater being arranged to heat melt in the upstream refining cell for creating a spring zone located closer to the downstream end of the upstream refining cell and a circulation of melt in the upstream refining cell which feeds the spring zone.

Abstract: A method of melting materials at power densities in excess of 25 KW/ft.sup.2 of area within the metal shell of a melting vessel which method consists essentially of continuously feeding the material to be melted to a plasma arc furnace which is equipped with at least two transferred arc plasma electrodes and with means to rotate at least the portion of the furnace containing the material to be melted, melting the said feedstock material using the at least two transferred arc plasma electrodes whilst rotating at least the rotatable portion of the furnace containing the material to be melted and continuously discharging the material which has been melted from the furnace.Apparatus for melting materials under power densities of greater than 25 KW/ft.sup.2 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A feeder trough for transferring molten glass from a glass furnace to an object-forming station, the feeder trough comprising a channel at one of its ends to the furnace and at its other end to a bowl having at least one feeder orifice a sill which has, on its downstream face, a substantially vertical wall, occupies the entire width of the channel and has a thickness of approximately 4 to 10 cm and a height such that it allows a stream of glass approximately 8 to 10 cm thick to pass over it; and a heatable bottom drain provided upstream of the sill and practically adjoining the latter.

Abstract: In a float glass chamber, particularly in a region operating at higher than usual temperatures, integrity of the bottom structure is sustained by employing wedge shaped bottom blocks that are maintained in compression by externally applied mechanical forces. The arrangement permits the use of a bi-layer bottom construction with a high alumina upper course and a clay bottom course.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which provides for controlled melting of both components of coal-ash, as well as the melting of selected additives, the melted coal-ash with additive being immediately available to a conventional fiberizing spinner stage. An arc furnace provides a shallow vat for molten pig iron. A first chute allows for introduction of coal-ash into the vat, and a second chute allows for the introduction of selected additives into the vat. The molten pig iron quickly melts any coal-ash and additive entering the vat, and the molten coal-ash/additive thereupon spreads out across the surface of the molten pig iron (the molten pig iron having a much higher specific gravity). In order to ensure that the molten coal-ash/additive has a predetermined fluidity at an adjacent spinner stage, the furnace is provided with a specially structured spout located above the spinner stage.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace comprises a base structure (6) defining a melting chamber (8) an intermediate chamber (10), and a working chamber (12), in which chambers heaters are located. An opening (22) is provided into the melting chamber (8), through which batch material may be deposited on the body of molten glass in the melting chamber. Glass flows from the melting chamber (8) through an outlet (26) at a lower part thereof, which may open into the intermediate chamber (10), and flows over a wier (30) from the intermediate chamber (10) into the working chamber. Located in the outer walls of the working chamber are working outlets (34), through which blowing irons or the like tools may be entered, for a manual withdrawal of molten glass from the chamber (12).

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing glass-making materials under oxidizing conditions, and for processing materials, such as hazardous or toxic wastes, or smelting under reducing conditions. As a glass-making apparatus the invention includes a cyclone melt reactor for forming a liquid glass melt and a combustion preheater for receiving the glass-making materials and combusting the fuel and oxidant therein to heat the glass batch materials to a temperature at least equal to the melt temperature of the glass batch material. The combustion preheater has an outlet connected to the glass melt reactor, and at least one inlet is provided into the combustion preheater for introducing oxidizing materials and for creating a well-stirred region within the combustion preheater means.

Abstract: Furnace has a melting section and a withdrawal section bounded by side walls of refractory material which extend to a glass outlet formed by an overflow edge remote from the melting section. In operation a molten glass layer, a molten layer of undissolved sulfates, and a batch layer succeed one another from the bottom up in the melting section. The withdrawal section is separated from the melting section by a first dividing wall extending downwardly and terminating above the surface of the molten glass. A second dividing wall is disposed for the formation of an underside glass passage, and at least one closable opening for withdrawing the molten sulfates is disposed at the level of the sulfate layer between the first and second dividing walls. The opening has a bottom boundary whose height is adjustable, so that it can be adjusted to lie above the surface of the glass melt.

Abstract: A thermal print head having a base, a glass glaze layer formed on the base by electrically-heated welding, and heating elements formed on the glass glaze layer. A manufacturing method of a thermal print head uses a furnace to accommodate molten glass and a pair of opposed electrodes disposed within the furnace to melt the glass by flowing the current. The method comprises the steps of supplying electric power across the electrodes to cause electric current to flow through glass so as to melt glass, passing an elongated base through the molten glass accommodated in the furnace to form a glass glaze layer on the base, and forming heating elements on the glass glaze layer.

Abstract: A vertical glass melting furnace provided with a material entrance at the uppermost portion and a molten glass exit provided at the lowermost portion. A resistance heating element 6 is provided over the substantially entire part of the horizontal section of the furnace at at least one level which is immersed in the molten glass.

Abstract: This furnace for melting inorganic materials comprises a plurality of spaced-apart inner walls dividing the furnace interior into a plurality of chambers, at least one being a liquefying chamber and at least one being a secondary chamber. Each liquefying chamber is provided with a crown and charge ports adjacent the edges of the crown through which batch material is fed into the liquefying chamber. Batch material entering through one of the charge ports moves down an inclined surface of one of the inner walls where it is heated and part of it liquefied by a flame present in the associated liquefying chamber. This liquefying chamber collects liquefied batch at its bottom and hot gases above the liquefied batch.

Abstract: A furnace for fining molten glass is provided in which glass flows in a substantially vertical direction prior to exiting the furnace. As it flows vertically, the glass is allowed to cool. This cooling, in turn, allows the glass to be removed from the furnace through a narrow passageway without producing excessive wear of the passageway. Preferably, vertical flow of the molten glass at the exit end of the furnace is produced across the furnace's full width. In this way, the molten glass does not stagnate within the furnace and undesirable scums on the top surface of the glass are avoided. In certain preferred embodiments, the vertical flow is achieved by means of a trough which has sloped sides and which connects with and extends downward from the bottom surface of the furnace.

Abstract: A forehearth for transport of molten glass, characterized in that cooling surfaces of a material having a high heat conductivity, particularly a metallic material, are disposed in the roof of the forehearth. The metallic material may be an iron-chromium-aluminum alloy having fifteen to thirty percent by weight of chromium, three to twelve percent by weight of aluminum, and a balance of essentially iron.

Abstract: Disclosed are an energy saving method for melting glass in and a glass melting furnace for the practice of the method.A charge is melted in a melting section, clarified in a clarifying section adjoining the melting section, and then homogenized in an adjoining homogenizing section of increased bath depth and drawn therefrom. The charge is fed in at the beginning of the melting section and energy is supplied underneath the charging end through electrodes. The melting energy input is generated by combustion by fossil fuel burners in the clarifying section. The burner flue gases flow over the melting section countercurrently to the charge and are exhausted close to the charge end. The surface of the melting section is swept by a flow coming from the clarifying section countercurrently to the charge.

Abstract: Roof of a working tank or of a glass melting furnace having a basin containing molten glass and covered by the radiation roof of highly refractory firebrick material, in which the roof is constructed with horizontal supporting elements in the form of straight arches (3) bearing the load of the roof (1) and spanning the tank at intervals, and with horizontal slabs (4) covering the open intervals between the supporting elements (3) and laid crosswise between the supporting elements (3).

Abstract: A process for the batchwise production of glass performs melting, refining and discharging steps in electrically heated identical vessels, wherein at least the refining step is conducted during rotation of a vessel, and discharging of the refined glass takes place while the vessel is at rest. By using several vessels, which are either mobile or which are connected with one another by movable spouts, feeding of molten glass to a distributing channel for further processing is done continuously. Vessels according to the invention have electrodes for heating purposes; outlet port sealing arrangements; and ports for applying over-pressure or a vacuum to control glass exit speed. Blast pipes may be disposed in proximity with outlet ports in order to improve flow of the glass melt by introducing blasts of an inert gas.

Abstract: In a method of making glass or the like, wherein the batch materials are liquefied in a distinct zone from the refiner, the liquefied material is heated in an intermediate stage before being fed to the refiner, and a composite barrier of a cooled frame with graphite inserts is employed to restrict passage of material from the intermediate stage.

Abstract: A multilayered, cooled metal lid for a heating vessel has a main support plate fabricated from low carbon steel and a chromium steel overlay that is exposed to the hot interior portions of the vessel. The chromium steel overlay has a chromium content by weight of approximately 10 to 25 percent.

Abstract: An electrically heated forehearth for use in glass production is heated by means of a plurality of radiant heating elements, each element traversing the forehearth substantially at right angles to the direction of glass flow and each element comprising heating zones at each edge portion and a central, non-heating zone. With the forehearth according to the present invention the molten glass is heated electrically at its edge, cooler, portions only. The central and therefore hotter part of the molten glass under the non-heating zone of the element is unheated.

Abstract: In a method of making glass or the like, wherein the batch materials are liquefied in a distinct zone from the refiner, the liquefied material is heated in an intermediate stage before being fed to the refiner. In preferred embodiments the intermediate stage comprises one or more channels extending from the side of the refiner.

Abstract: A lid of a glass batch melting vessel is subjected to corrosive and thermal degradation. The lid is cooled and the temperature of the exploded inner surface of the lid is controlled such that particulate and molten materials entrained in exhaust gas circulating within the vessel adhere to the lid surface forming a protective, insulating coating that prolongs the service life of the lid.

Abstract: Foaming of molten glass or the like as it enters a vacuum refining vessel is enhanced by altering the incoming stream so as to increase its surface area and/or retarding the passage of the stream through the vacuum headspace so as to increase its exposure to the vacuum.

Abstract: A furnace for cooling molten glass, which comprises a cooling tank for slowly cooling the molten glass while the average temperature of the molten glass is within a certain range extending below and above the temperature at which the speed of absorbing bubbles is highest, and cooling it rapidly when the average temperature of the molten glass is outside said range.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace includes a furnace body including for storing molten glass, an upstanding tank including a bottom member lying flush with the bottom wall of the furnace body and a rear wall remote from the furnace body, the upstanding tank communicating with the furnace body, a feeder disposed upwardly of the rear wall of the upstanding tank and communicating with the upstanding tank, and a drainage mechanism disposed in a corner defined between the rear wall and bottom member of the upstanding tank for draining out heterogeneous molten glass. The upstanding tank has a width smaller than the width of the furnace body. The drainage mechanism comprises a through hole having an inlet opening into the upstanding tank and an outlet opening at a rear surface of the rear wall, the through hole being tapered from the inlet toward the outlet.

Abstract: The circulation of exhaust gas within a heating vessel is controlled to reduce the adverse effects of the abrasive and corrosive exhaust gas on exposed interior surfaces of the vessel. The firing rates of the burners in the vessel may be varied to alter the flow patterns within the vessel. Additional jet burners with high exhaust gas velocity may be used to direct their exhaust flow in a direction opposing the exhaust flow of other selected burners. Burners may also be angled so as to reduce the flow component of the exhaust gas that may pass over the exposed interior surfaces of the vessel.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for refining glassy material or the like by vacuum. The material is first melted and then introduced into a vacuum chamber, preferably into space above liquid held in the chamber. Other aspects involve a two-step melting process preparatory to the vacuum refining, in which the material is initially liquefied in one stage and dissolution of particles is substantially completed in a second stage. The molten material is preferably foamed immediately upon entry into the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A pulverulent batch stream is fed into a liquefying vessel by means of an angled feed tube so as to direct the stream tangentially onto side wall portions. The tube may be rotated so as to change the location onto which the batch stream is impinged.

Abstract: A glass delivery system is disclosed which includes a molybdenum delivery pipe surrounded by molten glass and inductively heated by a water cooled induction heating coil surrounding the molybdenum pipe and spaced apart therefrom by means of refractory material.

Abstract: In an arrangement for preheating and liquefying glass batch materials or the like, the material is transferred from the preheater to the liquefying vessel by conveyor means that isolates batch material from exhaust gas and permits feeding of the batch material to selected regions of the liquefying vessel.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace and process wherein a second combustion zone toward the glass discharge end of the glass melting chamber is underport sideport fired while a first combustion zone toward the batch charge end of the glass melting chamber is side-of-port and/or overport sideport fired.

Abstract: Device for improving the heating of a channel (2) for distribution of glass (1), said device including a cylindrical duct (6) connected at its upstream end to means (7) for feeding a premixture of air and fuel gas and whose downstream end (8) opens inside a cylindrical bore (9) in a refractory block (10) inserted in a wall (11) of the channel, said cylindrical bore (9) extending by means of a coaxial cylindrical duct (12), of smaller diameter than that of said bore, the cylindrical channel (6) being surrounded by a sealing ring (13) which covers the face of the cylindrical bore (9) in which said channel (6) is inserted.

Abstract: A lid construction for a heating vessel. Discrete insulating members are supported by water cooled pipes above the vessel. The cooling pipes fit into grooves along the vertical side walls of the insulating members. Each member has a support independent from the supports for the other members so that an individual member can be removed within having to remove additional members.

Abstract: Device for continuous manufacture of fined glass in which the flow of molten material is transferred from a melting compartment (1) to a fining compartment (2) by a submerged throat (8), the fining compartment (2) comprising a chute (14) carrying the material, in an overall ascending current, and delivering it to the conditioning station (3), in a surface current, heating means (16-19) distributed in the chute (14) bringing the material to the usual debubbling temperature.This device is advantageously combined with a cupola type electric melting furnace, particularly for producing glasses with very volatile ingredients.

Abstract: A glass melting furnace including a melting tank heated from above by burners and comprising a melting section as well as a refining and homogenizing section provided with electrodes for the supply of electrical energy; a dam which separates the melting section from the refining and homogenizing section and the upper edge of which is disposed below the surface of the (glass) melt bath; and an outlet for the glass disposed in the bottom portion of the refining and homogenizing section; wherein the bottom of the refining and homogenizing section is in a position deeper than the bottom of the melting section, and the electrodes are arranged in one or more planes (levels) of the refining section, the glass melting furnace being configured such that on the side of the refining section there is provided adjacent to the dam a bottom portion which is disposed at a level substantially above the bottom of the homogenizing section.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for liquefying material such as glass batch, primary thermal protection for the vessel is provided by a lining of the batch material, with secondary protection being provided by a partial refractory lining on the interior of the vessel in regions where the primary protection is irregular.

Abstract: In a heating vessel wherein corrosive exhaust degrades exposed positions of the vessel, a high velocity gas jet injects gas between the corrosive exhaust and the exposed portions of the vessel. The gas minimizes contact between the exhaust and the exposed portions so as to reduce wear due to corrosive degradation.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for liquefying material such as glass batch, primary thermal protection for the vessel is provided by a lining of the batch material, with secondary protection being provided by forced cooling of a minor portion of the vessel in regions and at times when the primary protection is irregular.

Abstract: A rotary heating apparatus, for example, for liquefying glass batch or the like, is provided with dynamic stability by isolating structural support elements from vessel elements that are subject to thermal distortion and by supporting the vessel so as to be self-centering. The preferred embodiment entails a support ring separate from the vessel, rotatably supported at an elevation above the center of gravity of the vessel, and attached to a lower portion of the vessel by way of a plurality of link rods. Horizontal force is applied to the support ring to damp oscillations of the vessel. Rotation of the ring may be on a conical track to aid self-centering.

Abstract: A forehearth for a glass furnace includes a roof formed of a plurality of roof blocks designed to provide below the roof blocks a central longitudinal channel and side channels on each side of the central channel. An electric heating element is positioned in a bore in the roof blocks substantially directly above the side channels to permit radiation of heat to the glass surface above the side channels. The temperature of the molten glass utilizing the construction can be effectively uniformly controlled across its cross-section.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method and a system for treating gaseous effluents to remove impurities therefrom, these gaseous effluents flowing out from a high temperature reactor, into which a particulate material is being fed. The method comprises directing the flow of gaseous effluents counter-currently through the particulate material which is fed into the reactor, and independently controlling the particulate material feed rate and the velocity of the gaseous effluents so that particles in the gas feed are substantially all trapped by the particulate feed material and are returned to the high temperature reactor. Volatile materials may also be condensed on the particulate feed material. The purified gaseous effluents are then allowed to exit. A system for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the high temperature destruction by pyrolysis and incineration of organic and inorganic gaseous, liquid, and solid toxic and hazardous compounds. The apparatus has a melting chamber and a combustion chamber wherein solid, sludge liquid and gaseous compounds are separately or simultaneously eliminated. In the melting chamber of the apparatus, a molten mass media operates at temperatures between 2200 and 2900 degrees F. Directly above the molten mass a flame impinges upon the molten surface at a temperature of 3000 degrees F. and above. Solid, liquid, and gaseous hazardous wastes are introduced into the melting chamber either on or beneath the surface of the molten mass wherein the waste is destroyed. Due to the operating sequence of the apparatus, the liquid and solid waste compounds may be in the molten mass in excess of eight hours.

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 forehearth having a delivery channel 2 for a molten liquid (e.g. glass) 1, provided with a channel ceiling 11 of an insulating refractory ceramic fibre material and with electrical heating means 6, is capable of greatly increased efficiency in energy usage relative to conventional gas-fired forehearths.

Abstract: Glass or the like is melted by liquefying batch materials in a first stage by means of radiant heating, and further advancing the melting process in a second stage where the melt is heated by induction heating. Another aspect of the invention provides a residence zone at the exit of the induction heating stage to aid elimination of gaseous inclusions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing glass by melting a batch of raw material in a melting chamber of a continuous glass-melting tank furnace, permitting the glass to flow through a rising passageway and a sill provided by the furnace to a separate refining chamber in the furnace, the atmospheres in the melting and refining chambers being isolated, and heating the glass at the upstream end of the refining chamber to a higher temperature than that of the glass over the sill so that the glass leaving the sill plunges into the refining chamber and is precluded from forming a return current to the melting chamber.

Abstract: In order to conserve fuel in an apparatus for manufacturing glass, a continuous glass-melting tank furnace is provided with a melting compartment, a refining compartment, and a shadow arch between the compartments. The shadow arch is constituted by a cover which extends from a shadow wall at the downstream end of the melting compartment to an end wall at the upstream end of the refining compartment. The melting and refining compartments communicate via a passage beneath the shadow wall at the downstream end of the melting compartment, and a sill is positioned between this shadow wall and the refining compartment. The top of this sill is at least as high as the top of the passage.

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.