System for and method of batch analysis and optimization for glass manufacturing
AssigneeCulchrome, LLC
InventorsRichard Lehman, Warren Blasland
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for and method of analyzing a cullet stream prior to batch formulation in glass manufacturing. Cullet is fed onto a conveyor where a real-time composition analysis is performed. Contaminants are optionally removed, and a determination is made as to whether the cullet batch color is consistent with a predetermined tolerance threshold. If necessary, the glass batch formulation is modified in view of the cullet analysis. Virgin raw materials requirements of the modified glass batch formulation may then be communicated to the batch controller before sending batch ingredients to the mixing stage and completing the overall glass manufacturing process.
Claims63
A method of creating recycled glass products comprising the steps of:
- determining constituents of a supply of mixed cullet;
- real-time modification of a glass batch formulation based on at least said determined mixed cullet constituents;
- determining a quantity of virgin raw materials based upon said modified glass batch formulation;
- and
- producing at least one recycled glass product in accordance with said modified batch formulation.
A method of manufacturing recycled glass products comprising the steps of:
- providing a supply of mixed cullet to a conveyor;
- determining constituents of said mixed cullet prior to providing said mixed cullet to a mixer;
- providing a glass batch formulation;
- modifying said glass batch formulation, in real-time, based on at least said determined mixed cullet constituents;
- determining a quantity of virgin raw materials based upon said modified glass batch formulation;
- mixing the mixed cullet with virgin raw materials in said mixer;
- and
- producing at least one recycled glass product in accordance with said modified glass batch formulation.
A method of manufacturing recycled glass products comprising the steps of:
- providing a supply of mixed cullet;
- determining constituents of said mixed cullet prior to providing said mixed cullet to a mixer;
- providing a glass batch formulation;
- modifying said glass batch formulation, in real-time, based on at least said determined mixed cullet constituents;
- and
- determining a quantity of virgin raw materials based upon said modified glass batch formulation.
A cullet processing system comprising:
- a conveyor suitable to convey mixed cullet;
- a feeder for providing a supply of mixed cullet to said conveyor;
- an analyzer capable of determining the constituents of said mixed cullet as said mixed cullet passes said analyzer on said conveyor;
- batch formulation software, in operative communication with said analyzer, capable of modifying at least one glass batch formulation in real-time;
- and
- a feeder that provides a quantity of virgin raw materials, said quantity being in accordance with said modified glass batch formulation;
- and
- a mixer that mixes said mixed cullet with said virgin raw materials.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.