SILICATE REACTOR WITH SUBMERGED BURNERS

摘要

The present invention pertains to a reactor (10) for producing sodium or potassium silicate. The vessel includes submerged burners (110) designed to deliver 4-40 million BTU/hr to the vessel, resulting in a production rate exceeding 100 lbs/hr/square ft of reaction vessel surface area. A trough (120) extends downwards and away from the vessel and connects to an outlet where molten silicate product is removed, molded and cooled. The reactor also includes first and second heat exchangers (132, 134) in the exit path of the exhaust gases. Preheated combustion gas is used to burn fuel in the burners and preheated sand enters the reactor. The heat may also be used to make hot water for dissolving the silicate product.