Method of melting raw materials for glass or the like using solid fuels or fuel-batch mixtures
AssigneePPG Industries, Inc.
InventorsGerald E. Kunkle, Henry M. Demarest, Larry J. Shelestak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Thermally fusible material such as glass batch is liquefied using a solid carbonaceous fuel such as coal as the major energy source. In another embodiment, solid or liquid fuel is mixed with the batch material being fed to an initial liquefaction stage. Melting may be advanced further in a subsequent stage where the melt may also be re-oxidized.
Claims40
A method of liquefying glass batch or the like comprising:
- contacting pulverulent glass batch material with a solid or liquid fuel having an ash content, the fuel being provided in an amount sufficient to supply a major portion of the energy required to liquefy the batch material, combusting the fuel so as to liquefy the batch material, and mixing the ash from the combusted fuel into the liquefying batch at the region of combustion sufficiently rapidly that substantially all of the ash is incorporated into the liquefying batch and flows from the combustion zone entrained therein, whereby buildup of ash deposits in the combustion zone is substantially avoided.
A method of liquefying glass batch or the like comprising:
- contacting pulverulent glass batch material with a solid or a liquid fuel having an ash content, the fuel being provided in an amount sufficient to supply a major portion of the energy required to liquefy the batch material, combusting the fuel so as to liquefy the batch material on a sloped surface encircling a central cavity, and incorporating substantially all of the ash into the liquefied product.
A method of melting glass comprising:
- heating glass batch material on a sloped surface in a first zone by combusting solid or liquid fuel in contact with the glass batch, whereby reducing conditions exist as the batch becomes liquefied, draining the liquefied glass batch to a second zone and subjecting the reduced liquefied batch material to oxidizing conditions so as to restore the oxidation state of the product to a desired level.
A method of melting a thermally fusible material comprising feeding batch material and solid or liquid carbonaceous fuel onto a sloped melting surface, the fuel being provided in sufficient quantity to yield upon combustion a substantial portion of the heat required to liquefy the batch material, providing an oxidant at the sloped surface in sufficient quantity to support said combustion, draining batch liquefied by the heat from the sloped surface, gathering a pool of the liquefied batch, and providing an oxidizing agent to the pool to raise the oxidation state of the liquefied material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.