Method of forming discrete pieces or pellets from meltable glass-producing mixtures

Abstract

In the disclosed method, granules or pellets are formed from meltable glass-producing mixtures which comprise sand and a sodium-containing component. The sodium-containing component consists at least partially of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The remainder of the sodium component may comprise sodium carbonate or other sodium salts or compounds. The glass-producing mixture may also contain other solid components customarily found in such mixtures. In accordance with the inventive method, the sand grains are treated with the aqueous sodium hydroxide at elevated temperature and without direct contact with CO.sub.2, whereby a surface layer of water soluble silicates is formed on the sand grains. The sand is then mechanically treated in order at least partially to dislodge or remove the water soluble silicates from the sand grains. The remaining components or ingredients of the glass-producing mixture are then added whereupon, after mixing of the mixture to form a uniform mass, the mixture is agglomerated in the presence of 5-15 percent by weight of water. If necessary or desired, the discrete pellets thus formed are then dried.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.