Glass melting process and furnace therefor with oxy-fuel combustion over melting zone and air-fuel combustion over fining zone
US6519973B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 23, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 23, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P40/57
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A process and furnace for melting glass is set forth wherein the majority of the combustion energy over the melting zone of the furnace is provided by oxy-fuel combustion while a majority of the combustion energy over the fining zone of the furnace is provided by air-fuel combustion. In many cases, it will be preferable to provide greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the melting zone by oxy-fuel combustion and greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy over the fining zone by air-fuel combustion. By proper tailoring of the combustion space atmosphere through oxy-fuel and air-fuel firing, the present invention can result in an improvement in glass productivity and quality. The present invention can be applied in the construction of a new furnace or can be applied to existing air-fuel furnaces.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.