Method and apparatus for melting and subsequently refining glass
First Claim
1. Method for melting and refining glass which comprises electrically melting glass in a melting furnace having one or more levels of electrodes extending into the melting furnace and refining the molten glass in a vertical circular passage by subjecting same to mechanical agitation using an agitator positioned within the vertical circular passage with the ends of the agitator blades extending to a point closely adjacent the periphery of the passage whereby the agitator acts on the full volume of the molten glass.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method of melting glass, whereby in a glass melting furnace having electrodes positioned in a plurality of levels or planes the glass is melted in a vertical passage and thereafter discharged via an outlet passage at the bottom of the furnace, while the glass stream, after its upward flow, flows vertically downwards under mechanical agitation, thereafter to flow upwards for further processing or treatment. The glass stream may be additionally heated by electrical energy during its upward flow prior to the agitation.
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Citations
13 Claims
- 1. Method for melting and refining glass which comprises electrically melting glass in a melting furnace having one or more levels of electrodes extending into the melting furnace and refining the molten glass in a vertical circular passage by subjecting same to mechanical agitation using an agitator positioned within the vertical circular passage with the ends of the agitator blades extending to a point closely adjacent the periphery of the passage whereby the agitator acts on the full volume of the molten glass.
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5. Method for melting and refining glass which comprises:
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i. supplying a mixture or frit of the required raw materials to an electric glass melting furnace having one or more levels of electrodes extending into the furnace thereby forming an interface between the mixture and a molten glass mass; ii. withdrawing molten glass adjacent or through the bottom of the melting furnace; iii. causing the molten glass to flow upward while applying additional electrical energy to prevent lowering of the temperature of the molten glass; iv. then causing the molten glass to flow horizontally under a free surface while applying a vacuum thereabove to intensify the refining action; v. thereafter causing the molten glass to flow downward while being subjected to mechanical agitation using an agitator positioned within a circular passage with the ends of the agitator blades extending to a point closely adjacent the periphery of the passage, the agitator acting on the full volume of the glass with a flow direction opposite to the flow of the glass; and vi. thereafter causing the glass to again flow upward for further processing or treatment. - View Dependent Claims (6, 13)
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- 7. Glass melting and refining apparatus comprising melting furnace means having electrodes positioned in one or more levels spaced around the circumference of said furnace means and serving to supply electrical energy thereto, and refining means comprising vertical circular passage means connected to the furnace means having positioned therein agitator means having horizontally rotating blades which extend to a point closely adjacent the wall of said passage.
Specification