GLASS FURNACE, IN PARTICULAR FOR CLEAR OR ULTRA-CLEAR GLASS, WITH LATERAL SECONDARY RECIRCULATIONS

摘要

Glass furnace for heating and melting materials to be vitrified, in which furnace two molten glass recirculation loops are formed in the bath between a hotter central zone of the furnace and, respectively, the inlet (E) and the outlet (Y) which are at a lower temperature; the furnace comprises lateral cooling means (12a), (12b) so as to create or strengthen lateral secondary recirculation rolls (B2La), (B2Lb) of the glass.

主权项

1. A glass furnace for heating and melting materials to be vitrified, the furnace comprising:
an entrance (E) for raw materials; a superstructure (R) equipped with heating means (G); a tank (M) containing a melt of molten glass on which a blanket (T) of raw materials floats from the entrance as far as a certain distance into the furnace; an exit (Y) via which molten glass is removed; two molten glass recirculation loops (B1, B2) forming in the melt (N) between a hotter central zone (I) of the furnace and the entrance and exit, respectively, which are at a lower temperature; and means for cooling the glass, which means are located in the vicinity of lateral sides of the furnace on either side and upstream of a restriction, so as to create or increase lateral secondary recirculation currents (B2La), (B2Lb) of glass in order to decrease the intensity of a central secondary loop (B2C).