Method and apparatus for the manufacture of glass beads

摘要

In a process for the manufacture of glass beads a film of molten glass is formed on a rotating member and is then dispersed by centrifugal force to form the glass beads. Molten glass 14 is controllably fed through an orifice 16 in a tank bottom on to a horizontal centrifugal member 1 having a water-cooled vertical axle 2. The member 1 is contained within a chamber 8 heated by burners in tubes 11, 12. The molten glass forms a film on the member 1 and continuing under the action of centrifugal force disperses to form small beads which are thrown through openings 18 in the sidewalls of chamber 8 into cold collecting vessels 19. Glass may be fed to more than one point on the member 1 simultaneously. The molten glass may be fed through a tank side wall 161 (Fig. 2, not shown), on to a portion of the member 1 displaced from its centre. The centrifugal member may be flat and horizontal, vertical or inclined; may have a circular edge, a serrated edge, an upturned serrated edge; may be conical, concave, cylindrical; or may be formed as a disc with a concave rim. If the member 1 has a horizontal axis a portion of the member may be immersed in the molten glass, and the member may comprise a plurality of discs. Glass may be fed to both sides of the member either directly or through perforations therein, e.g. the partially immersed conical member 40 (Fig. 17, not shown) which has a recessed portion 42, the apex 44 of which is above the glass level, glass being forced up the inside through apertures 46. The centrifugal member may be made of a ceramic or a metal such as molybdenum or tungsten, and in cases where glass is fed to one side only the other side may be protected from oxidation by a protective atmosphere.