System and method for melting glass or ceramic materials

A system for melting materials during the production of a glass or ceramic material, the system comprising:

• a melt tank having an interior with a width and a length;
• and
• an electrode array comprising a plurality of elongate electrodes each having a width extending substantially parallel to the width of the interior of the melt tank, a length extending substantially parallel to the length of the interior of the melt tank and a thickness extending substantially perpendicularly to the width of the interior of the melt tank and extending substantially perpendicularly to the length of the interior of the melt tank;
• each electrode within the electrode array extending at least partially across the width of the interior of the melt tank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the interior of the melt tank;
• wherein the width of each electrode within the electrode array is at least 40% greater than the thickness of the electrode within the electrode array;
• wherein each electrode within the electrode array is spaced apart from an adjacent electrode within the electrode array by from about 5 mm to 100 mm;
• and
• wherein the electrode array is configured such that during a heating operation, current flows between adjacent electrodes within the electrode array, such that heat is radiated from the electrodes to materials located within the interior of the melt tank.