Method and apparatus for preventing burner-hole build-up in fused silica processes
US6367288B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 9, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC03B5/425
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In furnaces for producing high purity fused silica glass boules, glass particles have a tendency to build-up adjacent the burner hole rim. It was discovered that unburned furnace gases containing silica particles where re-circulated in the furnace close to the burner hole rim and reacted with the oxygen of infiltrated air adjacent the burner hole, and thus deposited such particles in the form of a glassy build-up about the rim of the burner hole. In order to eliminate the source of oxygen adjacent the burner hole rim, a curtain of an inert gas is caused to flow through the burner hole between the sidewalls of the burner hole and the flame of the burner. Accordingly, the curtain of inert gas inhibits the combustion of the unburned hydrogen and carbon monoxide furnace gases adjacent the exit rim of the burner hole and thereby minimizes glass build-up about the burner hole rim.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.