PROCESSO E DISPOSITIVO DE FUSAO E DE AFINACAO DE MATERIAS VITRIFICAVEIS

摘要

Part of or all the heat energy required for melting the vitrifiable materials is supplied by combustion of fossil fuel with at least one oxidant gas. The fuel/gas or the gas products derived from combustion are injected beneath the mass of vitrifiable materials. Refining of the vitrifiable materials after melting is carried out at least partially in thin layer form. Independent claims are given for a device used to implement the process, and application of the method for the production of float glass. The device comprises: (a) at least one melting chamber (2) equipped with burners (5) that can inject the fuel/gas or combustion products directly beneath the mass of vitrifiable materials (7) introduced to the melting chamber; and (b) some means for refining the molten vitrifiable materials in the form of a thin layer, either in the melting chamber (2) itself or in at least one refining compartment (9) downstream of the melting chamber.