Glass melting process and furnace therefor with oxy-fuel combustion over melting zone and air-fuel combustion over fining zone

摘要

Glass forming ingredients are melted in a furnace (140; 200) having a melting zone (184; 236) and a fining zone (170; 270) and in which the majority of the combustion energy (172-184; 238-248) over the melting zone (184; 236) is provided by oxy-fuel combustion while a majority of the combustion energy (164-168; 224-234) over the fining zone (170; 270) is provided by air-fuel combustion. Preferably greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy (172-184; 238-248) over the melting zone (184; 236) is provided by oxy-fuel combustion and greater than 70% and up to and including 100% of the combustion energy (164-168; 224-234) over the fining zone (170; 270) is provided by air-fuel combustion.