Water enhanced fining process a method to reduce toxic emissions from glass melting furnaces

摘要

A method of glass formation which provides for reduced levels of toxic emissions is disclosed wherein conventional batch fining agents such as Na2SO4, As2O5 or Sb2O5 are used in lesser amounts in combination with dissolved water in the glass making process. Sources of water in the process include alkali-metal hydroxides, steam bubbled into the molten glass, submerged combustion of the glassmelt with H2 and O2, the use of hydrocarbon based combustion. Glass quality is not compromised.