Abstract:
A gradient fining tank and a method of operating the tank to refine foamy molten glass is disclosed. The gradient fining tank includes a floor, a roof, and two laterally-spaced sidewalls that at least partially define an interior chamber of the tank. The floor of the tank is profiled to provide the tank with an extended shallow portion that defines an inlet to the interior chamber and a deep holding portion that defines an outlet from the interior chamber. An entry section of the floor provides the extended shallow portion of the tank and a transition section and exit section of the floor provide the deep holding portion. A depth of the interior chamber at an outlet end of the deep holding portion is greater than a depth of the interior chamber at the outlet end of the extended shallow portion.
Abstract:
Methods and systems produce a molten mass of foamed glass in a submerged combustion melter (SCM). Routing foamed glass to a fining chamber defined by a flow channel fluidly connected to and downstream of the SCM. The flow channel floor and sidewalls have sufficient glass-contact refractory to accommodate expansion of the foamed glass as fining occurs during transit through the fining chamber. The foamed glass is separated into an upper glass foam phase and a lower molten glass phase as the foamed glass flows toward an end of the flow channel distal from the SCM. The molten glass is then routed through a transition section fluidly connected to the distal end of the flow channel. The transition section inlet end construction has at least one molten glass inlet aperture, such that the inlet aperture(s) are positioned lower than the phase boundary between the upper and lower phases.
Abstract:
A method for the refining of glass by means of high temperatures in a skull crucible is provided. The method includes introducing a glass melt in the skull crucible through an inlet disposed at an upper region of the skull crucible, heating the skull crucible by irradiation of high-frequency energy, and discharging the glass melt from the skull crucible through an outlet disposed at the upper region, the outlet being disposed at a place essentially lying opposite the inlet.
Abstract:
A device for the refining of a glass melt at high temperatures according to the skull pot principle is provided. The device includes a skull crucible having walls that are constructed from a plurality of pipes, a high-frequency coil for coupling electrical energy into the contents of the skull crucible, and an inlet and an outlet of the skull crucible being arranged in a melt surface region of the glass melt, wherein the inlet and the outlet are essentially arranged lying opposite one another.
Abstract:
A method for controlling the foam produced when a molten material encounters reduced pressure in a vacuum chamber includes passing the molten material through an aging zone in the vacuum chamber in which the molten material is allowed to drain from between the bubbles of the foam and then collapsing the bubbles of the drained foam.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method and a device for refining a glass melt according to the skull pot principle. According to the invention, the inlet and outlet are located in the upper area of the crucible and lie diametrically opposite each other.
Abstract:
A vacuum degassing apparatus for molten glass includes a vacuum housing where a vacuum is created; a vacuum degassing vessel housed in the vacuum housing to degas the molten glass; an introduction device communicated to the vacuum degassing vessel so as to introduce untreated molten glass into the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably an uprising pipe; and a discharge device to discharge treated molten glass from the vacuum degassing vessel, or preferably a downfalling pipe. In the apparatus, at least a portion of at least one of the vacuum degassing vessel, the uprising pipe and the downfalling pipe that directly contact the molten glass is constituted by refractory material having a porosity of not greater than 5%. The apparatus can increase quantity of flow of the molten glass and consequently a degassing throughput of the molten glass, having the same size and the same pressure loss. The apparatus can further increase the quantity of flow and the degassing throughput without making the size of the apparatus excessively larger.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for skimming the surface of molten glass in a tank to produce a portion thereof free of contamination includes driving a substantially horizontally disposed strut connected to a scraper arm so as to pivot the strut to raise the scraper arm for horizontal movement above the glass surface, pivot the strut to effect vertical movement of the scraper arm to immerse the arm in the melt, retract the strut to horizontally move the arm while immersed to effect skimming and thereafter simultaneously pivoting and retracting the strut to effect both vertical and horizontal movement of the arm.
Abstract:
IN MELTING HIGH-TEMPERATURE GLASS WITH VOLATILE CONPONENTS SUCH BORON TRIOXIDE, THERE IS USED A FURNACE WITH A SKIMMER THAT COMPRISES A WATER-COOLED PIPE IN CONTACT WITH THE GLASS, THE FURNACE ALSO HAVING MEANS TO WITHDRAW THE MATERIAL RETAINED BEHIND THE SKIMMER. THE WATERCOOLED PIPE IS POSITIONED AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE SIDE WALLS OF THE FURNACE; PREFERABLY TWO SUCH PIPES ARE USED, SUCH TO FORM A V WITH ITS APEX UPTANK, WITHIN THE FIRING ZONE OF THE FURNACE. THE INVENTION PROVIDES AN UNOBVIOUS SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM CONCERNING THE PRODUCTION OF A SODIUM-BORON GLASS FOR AIRCRAFT USE.