The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.

Overflow downdraw glass forming method and apparatus

A system for melting and delivering glass to a work area such as spinners for making fiberglass includes a melter with heaters so arranged that the “hot spot” in the molten glass is located away from the walls and corrosion sensitive parts so that the various elements of the melter wear out at substantially the same time. The system is further provided with a dual exhaust arrangement when the melter, conditioner and forehearth are located on the same floor of the plant, the first exhaust being at the juncture of the melter and conditioner, and the second being an alternating replacement for one of the heating/cooling orifices and mechanisms in the conditioner, so as to effectively limit the amount of corrosive volatiles reaching the forehearth.

Glass melting apparatus and method

A front end for a glass forming operation comprises an open channel (22) and at least one burner (44). The channel has at least one surface (40). The surface has at least one hole (42A) therein. The burner is oriented in the hole at an acute angle relative to the surface. In another embodiment of the invention, the channel has a top (24C) and a pair of sidewalls (28A) each having a surface (40, 46). At least one hole (42A, 42C) is in at least one of the surfaces. The hole is at an acute angle relative to at least one surface. The burner is an oxygen-fired burner. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the top (24C) and sidewalls (28A) each have a super structure surface constructed of refractory material. The channel has an upstream end (30A) and a downstream end (32A). At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of holes therein. The burners extend at an acute angle relative to at least one surface and in a plane extending between the upstream end and the downstream end and perpendicular to at least one surface. Oxygen-fired burners extend axially through corresponding holes.

Oxygen-fired front end for glass forming operation

A glass-melting furnace (10) has an upstream end (6), a downstream end (8), and a roof (22). The upstream end is positioned upstream of the downstream end. A charger (32) is provided to supply glass-forming material (30) to the upstream end of the furnace. At least one burner (34) is provided to supply heat to the glass-forming material at the upstream end of the furnace. An exhaust (60) is in communication with the downstream end of the furnace, with the exhaust being positioned downstream of the at least one burner.

Exhaust positioned at the downstream end of a glass melting furnace

A front end for a glass forming operation including an open channel (22) and at least one burner (44). The channel surface (46) has at least one humer port (42) and a humer oriented in the burner port at an acute angle (B) relative to the channel surface. The surface may be a top, side or end wall and the humer port is at an acute angle relative to the surface of the wall. The used burners are preferably oxygen-gas burners, which are reducing CO2 and NO2 emissions. These burners are more environmentally friendly and possibly reducing greenhouse gas taxes.

Low heat capacity gas oxy fired burner

A method for manufacturing mineral fibers comprises controlling the bushing temperature to maintain molten glass throughput from a bushing at a constant, calculating the viscosity of the molten glass from the bushing temperature and the temperature of a glass delivery means, and modifying a process parameter in response to the calculated viscosity.

Michael J. Rolf

Papers

Method for manufacturing mineral fibers