×

Methods and systems for controlling bubble size and bubble decay rate in foamed glass produced by a submerged combustion melter

  • US 8,991,215 B2
  • Filed: 10/03/2012
  • Issued: 03/31/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method comprising:

  • flowing a molten mass of foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter, the downstream apparatus comprising a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof, the foamed glass having glass foam comprising glass foam bubbles on at least a portion of a top surface of the foamed glass, the downstream apparatus defining a space for a gaseous atmosphere above and in contact with the glass foam;

    heating or maintaining temperature of the foamed glass in the downstream apparatus; and

    controlling bubble size of the glass foam bubbles in the foamed glass by controlling composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam in the downstream apparatus;

    wherein the heating or maintaining temperature of the foamed glass in the downstream apparatus is devoid of electrical heating, and comprises using one or more non-submerged oxy-fuel combustion burners positioned in corresponding apertures in the sidewall structure and/or the roof of the downstream apparatus, the non-submerged oxy-fuel combustion burners producing combustion products contributing to control of the atmosphere above the glass foam;

    wherein the controlling of the composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam comprises injecting a non-combustion composition into at least a portion of the atmosphere from a source outside of the downstream apparatus using one or more apparatus positioned in one or more apertures in the sidewall structure and/or the roof; and

    wherein the non-combustion composition comprises 10 mole percent of an oxygenated sulfur compound or less.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×