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High shear mixer and glass melting method

  • US 5,364,426 A
  • Filed: 09/16/1993
  • Issued: 11/15/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of recycling coated mineral fibers having an organic coating comprising the steps of:

  • depositing coated mineral fibers into a vessel containing a molten glass bath;

    stirring the molten glass bath at a speed sufficient to create a surface currents which convey the coated mineral fibers along with the surface currents;

    heating the coated mineral fibers while being conveyed by the surface currents to decompose said organic coating on the mineral fibers leaving a residue and mineral fibers, said residue comprising carbon;

    oxidizing a first portion of said residue as said mineral fibers are conveyed by said surface currents across a portion of the surface of said molten glass bath;

    dispersing the mineral fibers and a second portion of the residue into the molten glass bath with a stirrer rotating at a speed sufficient to make a mineral fiber and residue dispersion in the molten glass bath; and

    heating the mineral fiber and residue dispersion to melt the mineral fibers with said second portion of said residue to create a carbon/glass melt as carbon from said second portion of residue is released into said molten glass bath.

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