Refractory composition for glass melting furnaces

Abstract

A refractory system includes a first set of components and a colloidal silica binder. The first set of components includes alumina and zirconia. The colloidal silica binder is at 5 wt % to 20 wt % of the dry weight of the first set of components. The refractory composition comprises 10 wt % to 45 wt % alumina, at least 35 wt % zirconia, and at least 20 wt % silica.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to refractory compositions particularly useful in glass melting furnaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to colloidal silica refractories for lining glass melting furnaces. Background technique [0002] A glass melting furnace is a refractory lined vessel shaped into a vessel for melting and holding glass. In the melting operation, the incoming glassmaking material is heated to about 2800°F (1550°C). Glassmaking materials typically include a mixture of cullet and batch materials. Cullet is crushed glass from processing operations. Batch materials include sand (silicon dioxide), lime (limestone or calcium carbonate reduced to calcium oxide), soda ash (sodium oxide), and sometimes other materials such as feldspar, Glauber's salt, and metal oxides. During the melting process, the cullet is melted first to improve heat transfer to the batch and reduce melting time. [0003] Glass melting furnac...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Wear points shorten the life of the glass pool and are often unpredictable, interrupting the production of molten glass

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