Selective chemical fining of small bubbles in glass
US11845685B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2022 |
| Grant date | Dec 19, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/50
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of fining glass is disclosed that includes flowing a molten glass bath through a fining chamber. The molten glass bath has an undercurrent that flows beneath a skimmer that is partially submerged in the molten glass bath. One or more fining agents are introduced into the undercurrent of the molten glass bath directly beneath the skimmer from a dissolvable fining material component. In this way, the fining agent(s) may selectively target the gas bubbles drawn under the skimmer within the undercurrent of the molten glass for removal. The method may be employed to fine molten gas produced in a submerged combustion melter. A fining vessel for fining molten glass is also disclosed that includes a housing, a skimmer, and a dissolvable fining material component disposed directly beneath the skimmer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.