| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:A gel obtained from a metal alkoxide or an ultrafine silica powder is continuously passed through a heater which has a temperature gradient from room temperature to a prescribed one to enable high-efficiency formation of dried gel and mass production of quartz glass. CONSTITUTION:In the low-temperature synthesis of quartz glass through the gel-sol process using at least a metal alkoxide or ultrafine silica powder, the gel placed in a plurality of perforated containers is continuously charged at one end of a belt type continuous drier 1 which has a temperature gradient from room temperature to that prescribed corresponding to from one end to the other. The containers are conveyed by the heat-resistant belt 4 and heat- resistant plates 3 which is placed on the belt from one end to the other. The gel shrinks, while it passes through the drier becomes dry gel, when it reaches the other end whereby dry gel is continuously and readily obtained in high efficiency. |
