Glass smelting device and method
Through the dual crucible batch optical glass smelting device, the melting and clarification zones are separated by the overflow and siphon principles, the problem of foreign matter and bubble defects in traditional single crucible smelting is solved, and the production quality and efficiency of optical glass are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202510892434.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-30
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-26
AI Technical Summary
When the traditional single crucible batch smelting method melts optical glass that is easy to fly, volatile and crystallized, foreign matter defects and bubble defects are easily formed, affecting the product yield rate and difficult to meet the production requirements of special optical glass.
The dual crucible batch optical glass smelting device is adopted to separate the melting zone and the clarification zone using the principle of natural overflow and siphon. The flow and transmission of the glass liquid are realized through the overflow tube and the siphon tube, and clarified and homogenized with the agitator to form an independent melting and clarification process flow.
It improves the product quality and utilization rate of mixing materials produced in small batches of optical glass, ensures the consistency of the glass melting process, and improves the melting effect of easy-to-feiyang, easy-to-evaporate and easy-to-resolve crystal components.
Smart Images
Figure CN120535176A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of optical glass manufacturing, and in particular relates to a glass melting device and method. Background Art
[0002] There are two common optical glass melting methods: single-crucible batch melting and continuous melting. Single-crucible batch melting is suitable for melting a variety of optical glass in small batches and developing experimental products, while continuous melting is suitable for the production of large-scale, mature products.
[0003] Single-crucible batch melting is an essential production method for the development and manufacture of optical glass. In single-crucible melting, the melting, clarification, and homogenization processes are all completed within a single crucible. The process, thermal history, and operational procedures significantly impact product quality. Melting products with high-volatility, high-volatility, and prone to crystallization components in a single crucible can easily lead to defects such as foreign matter caused by falling particles, bubbles caused by falling volatiles, or optical constant anomalies caused by melting process deviations, resulting in product rejection and severely impacting product yield. Consequently, traditional single-crucible furnaces cannot meet the melting requirements of some specialized optical glass varieties. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to address the defects of single crucible melting of special optical glass and propose a double-crucible intermittent optical glass melting device and method.
[0005] The technical solution of the melting device of the present invention is: a glass melting device, including three parts: a melting zone, a connecting pipe, and a working zone, and is characterized in that: the melting zone is composed of a feeding port, a melting crucible, an isolation plate and a round rod; the working zone is composed of a receiving bowl, a working crucible, an agitator and a leakage pipe; the connecting pipe is composed of a siphon tube, an overflow pipe and a cooling chamber, the siphon tube and the overflow pipe are connected between the side wall of the melting crucible and the receiving bowl, and the cooling chamber is arranged on the overflow pipe; the bottom position of the melting crucible is higher than the position of the receiving bowl to form a certain height difference.
[0006] In the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention, the feeding port is arranged on one side of the top surface of the melting crucible; the siphon tube and the overflow pipe are connected to the side wall of the melting crucible opposite to the feeding port; the isolation plate is arranged below the feeding port and between the side of the melting crucible where the siphon tube and the overflow pipe are welded, and the upper and lower ends are respectively higher and lower than the liquid level of the glass liquid, thereby dividing the interior of the melting crucible into two areas that are connected at the top and bottom.
[0007] In the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention, the feeding port is provided with a round rod which is inserted into the feeding port; the round rod is made of a precious metal material or a precious metal alloy.
[0008] In the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention, one end of the overflow pipe is welded to the side wall of the melting pot, and the other end is located above the material receiving bowl; one end of the siphon tube passes through the side wall of the melting pot and extends into the glass liquid, and the other end is located above the material receiving bowl, and the outer wall of the siphon tube at the entry point is welded to the side wall of the melting pot.
[0009] The siphon in the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention is an inverted V-shaped tube, one end of which is inserted deep into the melting crucible close to the bottom of the crucible; the welding position of the siphon tube is higher than the welding position of the overflow tube; the cooling chamber has one outlet and one inlet, which are wrapped around the outer wall of the overflow tube, and the overflow tube is circulated and cooled by injecting a refrigerant medium.
[0010] In the technical solution of the melting device of the present invention, the receiving bowl is located on the upper side of the working crucible and is connected to the working crucible via a pipe. The stirrer is placed in the working crucible and rotates during operation. The leakage pipe is located on one side of the radius of the working crucible bottom, through which the qualified molten glass is discharged into the molding process.
[0011] In the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention, the volume of the melting crucible is 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the working crucible; the opening position of the welding point between the upper side of the overflow pipe and the side wall of the melting crucible is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 away from the bottom of the melting crucible.
[0012] In the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention, the melting crucible, siphon tube, overflow pipe, receiving bowl and working crucible all have independent heating temperature control systems for precise control of process parameters of each part.
[0013] The feeding port, melting crucible, isolation plate, siphon, overflow pipe, cooling chamber, receiving bowl, working crucible, stirrer and leakage pipe in the technical solution of the smelting device of the present invention are made of precious metal materials or precious metal alloys.
[0014] The technical solution of the melting method of the present invention is: a glass melting method, characterized by comprising the following steps: (1) Raise the melting crucible, siphon, overflow pipe, receiving bowl, and working crucible to the temperature required by the process for each part and maintain constant temperature control; (2) Add a certain amount of glass slag into the melting crucible from the feeding port. After the glass slag is completely melted, add batch materials at a fixed time and quantity from the feeding port. When the batch materials are melted, glass liquid is formed. As the batch materials continue to increase and melt, when the glass liquid reaches the overflow pipe, the glass liquid begins to flow from the overflow pipe, enters the receiving bowl, and then flows into the working crucible through the receiving bowl; (3) Start the agitator, adjust the motor speed to the speed required by the process, and keep the agitator running continuously at low speed; (4) The batch material is continuously added from the feeding port. The added batch material is melted into glass liquid in the melting crucible and continuously flows from the overflow pipe into the working crucible. The glass liquid level in the working crucible continues to rise. When the glass liquid level in the working crucible reaches a specified position, a cooling medium is introduced into the cooling chamber to rapidly cool the glass liquid in the overflow pipe until it solidifies, thereby causing the overflow pipe to be blocked. (5) Continue to add the remaining batch material from the feeding port. The remaining batch material is melted into glass liquid in the melting crucible and the glass liquid level in the melting crucible gradually rises to above the highest position of the siphon tube. At this time, the batch material is completely melted into glass liquid and the pressure difference required for siphoning is formed, generating a siphon to siphon the glass liquid in the melting crucible into the working crucible. If siphoning does not occur spontaneously, insert a round rod into the glass liquid in the melting crucible from the feeding port to raise the glass liquid level in the melting crucible, generate a siphon, and empty the glass liquid in the melting crucible. (6) Raise the working crucible temperature to the clarification temperature and change the agitator speed according to the process requirements to complete the process of clarifying, removing bubbles, and homogenizing the glass liquid in the working crucible to eliminate streaks; (7) Lower the working crucible temperature to the process required temperature, heat the leakage pipe to the process required temperature, and let the qualified glass liquid flow out of the leakage pipe to complete the solidification and molding of the glass liquid in the mold.
[0015] The present invention offers the following beneficial effects: By replacing a single-crucible intermittent optical glass melting process with a double-crucible intermittent optical glass melting process, the present invention improves the process flow for intermittent optical glass melting and enhances the quality of small-batch and trial production of optical glass. The present invention utilizes a combination of natural overflow and siphon-based flow diversion to guide molten glass, significantly increasing batch melting efficiency and batch utilization. The use of a double-crucible melting process physically isolates glass melting from clarification and homogenization, ensuring consistent melting processes for the glass batches (consistent glass melting states), contributing to consistent performance in optical glass products.
[0016] The invention has the characteristics that the batch materials are fully melted in the melting crucible, completely flow to the working crucible through the overflow pipe and siphon, and are fully clarified and homogenized in the working crucible. It is mainly used for melting optical glass with some glass components that are easy to fly, volatilize, and crystallize. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a glass melting device of the present invention.
[0018] The markings in the figure are: 1-feeding port; 2-melting crucible; 3-isolation plate; 4-siphon tube; 5-overflow pipe; 6-cooling chamber; 7-receiving bowl; 8-working crucible; 9-stirrer; 10-leakage pipe; 11-round rod; 12-glass liquid; 13-batch material; 14-glass liquid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] In order to better illustrate the present invention, numerous specific details are given in the following detailed description. In some instances, methods, means, components and circuits well known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail in order to highlight the main purpose of the present invention.
[0020] like Figure 1 As shown. The structure of a glass melting device of the present invention includes: a feed port 1, a melting crucible 2, a partition plate 3, a siphon tube 4, an overflow pipe 5, a cooling chamber 6, a receiving bowl 7, a working crucible 8, a stirrer 9, a leakage pipe 10, and a round rod 11. The feed port 1, melting crucible 2, partition plate 3, and round rod 11 constitute the melting zone; the siphon tube 4, overflow pipe 5, and cooling chamber 6 constitute the connecting pipe; and the receiving bowl 7, working crucible 8, stirrer 9, and leakage pipe 10 constitute the working zone. The feed port 1, melting crucible 2, partition plate 3, siphon tube 4, overflow pipe 5, cooling chamber 6, receiving bowl 7, working crucible 8, stirrer 9, leakage pipe 10, and round rod 11 are made of precious metal or precious metal alloy.
[0021] A feed port 1 is located on one side of the upper portion of the melting crucible 2, allowing for the addition of glass batch material 13 and the insertion of a round rod 11. The connection points between the siphon tube 4 and overflow tube 5 and the melting crucible 2 are located on the sidewall of the melting crucible 2 opposite the feed port 1. A partition plate 3 is welded to the interior of the melting crucible 2. It is located below the feed port 1 and between the sidewall of the melting crucible 2 where the siphon tube 4 and overflow tube 5 are welded. Its upper and lower ends are respectively above and below the level of the molten glass 12, dividing the melting crucible 2 into two sections. Batch material 13 added from the feed port 1 can only fall into the larger partition area, while the smaller partition area is used to store fully melted molten glass 12. The partition plate 3 has an opening at the bottom to facilitate the flow of molten glass 12, and an opening at the top to allow for air circulation. The round rod 11 is used to displace the molten glass 12 and raise the glass level once the batch material 13 is fully melted. The melting pot 2, the siphon tube 4 and the overflow tube 5 all have independent heating temperature control systems for precise control of the process parameters of each part.
[0022] The siphon tube 4 is an inverted V-shaped tube. One end extends deep into the small isolation area within the melting crucible 2, near the bottom. The other end extends downward to above the receiving bowl 7. Near its highest point, the inverted V-shaped tube is welded to the sidewall of the melting crucible 2. The overflow tube 5 has its upper end welded to the sidewall of the small isolation area within the melting crucible 2, connecting to the inside of the crucible 2. Its lower end extends above the receiving bowl 7. The siphon tube 4 is welded at a higher position than the overflow tube 5. The receiving bowl 7 receives the molten glass. The opening where the upper side of the overflow tube 5 is welded to the sidewall of the melting crucible 2 is located 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the way from the bottom of the crucible 2. The cooling chamber 6, with an inlet and outlet, wraps around the outer wall of the overflow tube 5. A refrigerant is injected into the overflow tube 5 to circulate and cool it.
[0023] The receiving bowl 7 is located above the working crucible 8 and connected to it via a pipe. A stirrer 9 is placed inside the crucible 8 and rotates during operation. A leakage pipe 10 is located on one side of the bottom radius of the crucible 8, through which qualified molten glass 14 is poured into the mold. The volume of the melting crucible 2 is 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the volume of the working crucible 8. The bottom of the melting crucible 2 is elevated above the receiving bowl 7, creating a certain height difference. Both the receiving bowl 7 and the working crucible 8 have independent heating and temperature control systems, ensuring precise control of process parameters in each area.
[0024] A glass melting method comprises the following steps: (1) Raise the melting pot 2, siphon tube 4, overflow pipe 5, receiving bowl 7, and working pot 8 to the temperature required by the process of each part and maintain constant temperature control; (2) A certain amount of glass slag is added to the melting crucible 2 from the feeding port 1. After the glass slag is completely melted, the batch material 13 is added from the feeding port 1 at a fixed time and quantity. When the batch material 13 is melted, the glass liquid 12 is formed. As the batch material 13 is continuously added and melted, the glass liquid 12 reaches the mouth of the overflow pipe 5. The glass liquid 12 begins to flow from the overflow pipe 5, enters the receiving bowl 7, and then flows into the working crucible 8 through the receiving bowl 7; (3) Start the stirrer 9, adjust the motor speed to the speed required by the process, and keep the stirrer 9 running continuously at a low speed; (4) The batch material 13 is continuously added from the feeding port 1. The added batch material 13 is melted into glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2 and continuously flows from the overflow pipe 5 into the working crucible 8. The liquid level of the glass liquid 14 in the working crucible 8 continues to rise. When the liquid level of the glass liquid 14 in the working crucible 8 reaches a specified position, a cooling medium is introduced into the cooling chamber 6 to rapidly cool the glass liquid 12 in the overflow pipe 5 until it solidifies, thereby blocking the overflow pipe 5. (5) Continue to add the remaining batch material 13 from the feeding port 1. The remaining batch material 13 is melted into glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2 and the liquid level of the glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2 gradually rises to above the highest position of the siphon tube 7. At this time, the batch material 13 is completely melted into glass liquid 12 and the pressure difference required for siphoning is formed, generating a siphon to siphon the glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2 into the working crucible 8. If the siphon does not occur spontaneously, insert the round rod 11 into the glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2 from the feeding port 1 to raise the liquid level of the glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2, generate a siphon, and empty the glass liquid 12 in the melting crucible 2; (6) Raising the temperature of the working crucible 8 to the clarification temperature and changing the speed of the stirrer 9 according to the process requirements to complete the process of clarifying, removing bubbles, and homogenizing the glass liquid 14 in the working crucible 8 to eliminate streaks; (7) The temperature of the working crucible 8 is lowered to the temperature required by the process, and the leakage pipe 10 is heated to the temperature required by the process. Qualified glass liquid flows out of the leakage pipe 10, and the solidification and molding of the glass liquid 14 is completed in the mold.
[0025] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any modifications or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.
Claims
1. A glass melting device comprising a melting zone, a connecting pipe, and a working zone, characterized by: The melting zone is composed of a feeding port (1), a melting crucible (2), an isolation plate (3) and a round rod (11); the working zone is composed of a receiving bowl (7), a working crucible (8), an agitator (9) and a leakage pipe (10); the connecting pipe is composed of a siphon tube (4), an overflow pipe (5) and a cooling chamber (6); the siphon tube (4) and the overflow pipe (5) are connected between the side wall of the melting crucible (2) and the receiving bowl (7), and the cooling chamber (6) is arranged on the overflow pipe (5); the bottom position of the melting crucible (2) is higher than the position of the receiving bowl (7) to form a certain height difference.
2. A glass melting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The feeding port (1) is arranged on one side of the top surface of the melting crucible (2); the siphon tube (4) and the overflow tube (5) are connected to the side wall of the melting crucible (2) opposite to the feeding port (1); the isolation plate (3) is arranged below the feeding port (1) and between the side wall of the melting crucible (2) where the siphon tube (4) and the overflow tube (5) are welded, and the upper and lower ends of the isolation plate are respectively higher and lower than the liquid level of the glass liquid (12), thereby dividing the interior of the melting crucible (2) into two areas that are connected at the top and bottom.
3. A glass melting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The feeding port (1) is provided with a round rod (11) that is inserted into the feeding port; the round rod (11) is made of a precious metal material or a precious metal alloy.
4. A glass melting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: One end of the overflow pipe (5) is welded to the side wall of the melting pot (2), and the other end is located above the receiving bowl (7); one end of the siphon tube (4) passes through the side wall of the melting pot (2) and extends into the glass liquid (12), and the other end is located above the receiving bowl (7), and the outer wall of the siphon tube (4) at the insertion point is welded to the side wall of the melting pot (2).
5. A glass melting device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The siphon tube (4) is an inverted V-shaped tube, one end of which is inserted into the melting crucible (2) close to the bottom of the crucible; the welding position of the siphon tube (4) is higher than the welding position of the overflow tube (5); the cooling chamber (6) has one inlet and one outlet, which are wrapped around the outer wall of the overflow tube (5), and the overflow tube (5) is circulated and cooled by injecting a refrigerant medium.
6. A glass melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The receiving bowl (7) is located on the upper side of the working crucible (8) and is connected to the working crucible (8) through a pipe; The stirrer (9) is placed in the working crucible (8) and is in a rotating state when working; the leakage pipe (10) is located on one side of the radius of the bottom of the working crucible, and the qualified molten glass (14) can be leaked and injected into the molding through the leakage pipe (10).
7. A glass melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The volume of the melting crucible (2) is 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 of the working crucible (8); the opening position of the welding point between the upper side of the overflow pipe (5) and the side wall of the melting crucible (2) is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the distance from the bottom of the melting crucible (2).
8. A glass melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The melting crucible (2), siphon tube (4), overflow pipe (5), receiving bowl (7), and working crucible (8) all have independent heating temperature control systems for precise control of process parameters at each part.
9. A glass melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 and 5, characterized in that: The feeding port (1), melting crucible (2), isolation plate (3), siphon tube (4), overflow pipe (5), cooling chamber (6), receiving bowl (7), working crucible (8), stirrer (9) and leakage pipe (10) are made of precious metal material or precious metal alloy.
10. A glass melting method using a glass melting device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The following steps are involved: (1) Raise the melting crucible (2), siphon tube (4), overflow pipe (5), receiving bowl (7), and working crucible (8) to the temperature required by the process of each part and maintain constant temperature control; (2) adding a certain amount of glass slag into the melting crucible (2) from the feeding port (1), and after the glass slag is completely melted, adding the batch material (13) at a fixed time and fixed quantity from the feeding port (1). When the batch material (13) is melted, the glass liquid (12) is formed. As the batch material (13) is continuously increased and melted, when the glass liquid (12) reaches the mouth of the overflow pipe (5), the glass liquid (12) begins to flow from the overflow pipe (5), enters the receiving bowl (7), and flows into the working crucible (8) through the receiving bowl (7); (3) starting the agitator (9), adjusting the motor speed to the speed required by the process, and keeping the agitator (9) running continuously at a low speed; (4) Continue to feed the batch material (13) from the feeding port (1), the fed batch material (13) melts into glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2) and continues to flow from the overflow pipe (5) into the working crucible (8), and the liquid level of the glass liquid (14) in the working crucible (8) continues to rise; when the liquid level of the glass liquid (14) in the working crucible (8) reaches a specified position, a cooling medium is introduced into the cooling chamber (6), and the glass liquid (12) in the overflow pipe (5) is quickly cooled until solidified, resulting in blockage of the overflow pipe (5); (5) Continue to add the remaining batch material (13) from the feeding port (1), the remaining batch material (13) is melted into glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2) and the liquid level of the glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2) gradually rises to above the highest position of the siphon tube (7), at this time the batch material (13) is completely melted into glass liquid (12) and the pressure difference required for siphoning is formed, generating a siphon to siphon the glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2) into the working crucible (8); if the siphon is not generated spontaneously, insert the round rod (11) into the glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2) from the feeding port (1), raise the liquid level of the glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2), generate a siphon, and empty the glass liquid (12) in the melting crucible (2); (6) raising the temperature of the working crucible (8) to the clarification temperature and changing the speed of the stirrer (9) according to the process requirements to complete the process of clarifying, removing bubbles, and homogenizing the glass liquid (14) in the working crucible (8) to eliminate stripes; (7) Lowering the temperature of the working crucible (8) to the temperature required by the process, heating the leakage pipe (10) to the temperature required by the process, allowing qualified glass liquid to flow out of the leakage pipe (10), and completing the solidification and molding of the glass liquid (14) in the mold.