Improved glass transport system

Abstract

A glass transport system configured to cause molten glass to interact with silica in a silica-containing material and increase the viscosity of the molten glass sufficiently to slow or stop the flow of a glass leak by incorporating the silica-containing material into an advancing glass leak stream or introducing the silica-containing material to an advancing glass leak stream.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This application has the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 147471, filed February 9, 2021, pursuant to 35 U.SC §119, which is the basis of this application and whose entire contents are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to molten glass conveying systems. In particular, this disclosure relates to molten glass conveying systems that mitigate catastrophic system failures in the event of molten glass leakage. Background Technology Background Technology

[0005] Current high-temperature molten glass transport systems are susceptible to glass leakage, which can impair the insulation properties of the castable material and the insulating layer supporting the platinum tube. The inventors have observed several melting systems experiencing glass leakage. Glass leakage in Pt transport systems is often caused by temperatures exceeding 1640°C. Aging, melt contamination, design flaws, and human error can also lead to glass leakage. These leaks ultimately shorten the lifespan of the molten glass system through deterioration of the insulating material, loss of system integrity, blistering, and glass contamination primarily concentrated around the finer. However, leaks around other parts of the molten glass transport system can also cause various problems. Glass leakage in molten glass transport systems is undesirable because it can shorten the system's lifespan and may require very costly reconstruction.

[0006] Several components of the Pt transport system are surrounded by refractory material. This includes insulating bricks and support material for the Pt clarifier. Currently, fused zirconia cradles are implemented around the transport system as a corrosion barrier to contain leaks and support the Pt clarifier. Following the installation of the cradles is a castable material that fills the gap between the cradles and the Pt clarifier. When a leak occurs in the Pt system, the glass interacts with the castable and fused zirconia cradles. Although these zirconia materials are ideal for corrosion resistance when exposed to molten glass, the cradles are dense materials, susceptible to thermal cracking and impact, and will not always completely contain glass leaks. Failure analysis of faulty Pt systems has shown that glass from pinhole leaks in the Pt system can migrate around the cradles, through cracks, and react with the surrounding castable, a second line of defense. If leaking glass penetrates the castable, it may damage the surrounding insulation, reducing its insulating properties, which is detrimental to the system. This loss of insulation results in heat loss from the molten glass inside the Pt pipe transport vessel and will require increasing amounts of electricity to keep the glass molten. This will increase production costs, reduce system lifespan, and ultimately, if heat loss is too great, the system will fail because it cannot maintain the temperature of the molten glass.

[0007] Therefore, an improved molten glass transport system is desired. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This document discloses a glass transport system comprising: a metal container configured to transport molten glass; a support structure including a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container; a silica-containing material at least partially surrounding the support structure; and an insulating material surrounding the silica-containing material, wherein when molten glass leaks from the metal container and the support structure and flows into the silica-containing material, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass and causes an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop the leakage.

[0009] This document also discloses a glass transport system, comprising: a metal container configured to transport molten glass; a first support structure comprising a silica-containing material that at least partially surrounds the metal container; and a thermal insulation material surrounding the support structure, wherein when molten glass leaks from the metal container and flows into the first support structure, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass and causes an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop the leakage.

[0010] This document also discloses a glass transport system, comprising: a metal container configured to transport molten glass; a support structure including a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container; a first insulating material surrounding the support structure; a refractory layer surrounding the first insulating material; a second insulating material surrounding the refractory layer; and one or more injection pipes extending into the first insulating material, the injection pipes being configured to inject a silica-containing material into the first insulating material, wherein when molten glass leaks from the metal container and the support structure and flows into the first insulating material, the injection of the silica-containing material into the first insulating material causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass and causes an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop the leakage.

[0011] This document also discloses a glass transport system, comprising: a metal container configured to transport molten glass; a support structure including a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container; and an insulating material surrounding the support structure; and one or more injection pipes extending into the support structure, the injection pipes being configured to inject a silica-containing material into the support structure, wherein when molten glass leaks from the metal container and flows into the support structure, the injection of the silica-containing material into the support structure causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass and causes an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop glass leakage.

[0012] This article also discloses a method for mitigating glass leakage in a glass transport system, wherein the glass transport system includes a metal container configured to transport molten glass and a support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container. The method includes: at least partially surrounding the support structure with a silica-containing material, whereby when molten glass leaks from the metal container and the support structure and flows into the silica-containing material, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass to increase the viscosity of the molten glass, thereby mitigating or stopping the glass leakage.

[0013] This article also discloses a method for mitigating glass leakage in a glass transport system, wherein the glass transport system includes a metal container configured to transport molten glass, a support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container, and an insulating material surrounding the support structure. The method includes injecting a silica-containing material into the glass transport system, wherein when molten glass leakage from the metal container is detected, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass to increase the viscosity of the molten glass, thereby mitigating or stopping the glass leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0014] These drawings are provided for illustrative purposes. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed and discussed herein are not limited to the arrangements and tools shown. The drawings are schematic and are not to scale. The drawings are not intended to show dimensions or actual proportions.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a general schematic diagram of a cross-sectional view of a glass transport system according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2A This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a glass transport system according to another embodiment.

[0017] Figure 2B This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a glass transport system according to another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a glass transport system according to another embodiment.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a glass transport system according to another embodiment.

[0020] Figure 5 For Eagle Modeling plot of the viscosity (P) of glass at 1620℃ relative to SiO2 (mol%). Detailed Implementation

[0021] Various embodiments of the glass forming process for improvement are described with reference to the drawings, wherein similar components are given similar numerical labels to facilitate understanding.

[0022] It should also be understood that, unless otherwise specified, terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “outside,” and “inside” are used for convenience and should not be construed as restrictive terms. Furthermore, whenever a group is described as comprising at least one of a set of elements and combinations thereof, the group may comprise any number of those elements individually or in combination with each other, consist substantially of any number of those elements, or consist of any number of those elements.

[0023] Similarly, whenever a group is described as consisting of at least one of a set of elements or combinations thereof, the group may consist individually or in combination with each other of any number of those elements. Unless otherwise specified, both the upper and lower limits of the range are included when describing a range of numerical values. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the indefinite articles “a” and “an” and the corresponding definite article “the” mean “at least one” or “one or more”.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes can be made to the described embodiments while still obtaining the beneficial results of this disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of this disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the described features without using others. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations are possible, and in some cases even desired and part of this disclosure. Therefore, the following description is provided as an illustration of the principles of this disclosure and not as a limitation thereof.

[0025] This document discloses various embodiments of molten glass transport systems that introduce silica at strategic locations to alter the viscosity of any glass leak, thereby mitigating or stopping the flow of leaked glass to prevent catastrophic system failure. A high-silica material is incorporated into the molten glass transport system at strategic locations where glass leaks are likely to occur. Any leaking glass flow is then exposed to silica, which dissolves into the glass and increases its viscosity. Areas prone to glass leaks are typically any part of the system through which molten glass moves along a metal container / tube, involving two interconnected sections of the metal container / tube or a section of the metal container / tube turning and forming a corner.

[0026] Examples of high-silica materials include fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high-silica clay minerals, non-oxide ceramics, oxide ceramics, etc., or combinations thereof. Therefore, in the various embodiments disclosed herein, the silica-containing materials used may include one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high-silica clay minerals, non-oxide ceramics, oxide ceramics, etc., or combinations thereof. High-silica materials can be provided in the form of bricks, castables, cement, mortar, etc., in the molten glass conveying system. The higher viscosity will minimize or stop the flow of leaking glass, thereby protecting the external insulation material.

[0027] Reference Figure 1 A glass transport system 100A according to an embodiment is disclosed. The glass transport system 100A includes a metal container 10 for conveying molten glass G, a support structure 20, a silica-containing material layer 30 at least partially surrounding the support structure 20, and a heat-insulating material layer 40 surrounding the silica-containing material layer 30. The support structure 20 includes a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container 10. The refractory material used for the support structure 20 is generally selected to be corrosion-resistant.

[0028] The silica-containing material layer 30 need not be the only material present between the support structure 20 and the insulation material layer 40. The invention covers variations in which other refractory materials, either in layer form or in other suitable configurations, may coexist with the silica-containing material layer 30. This is for other illustrative purposes. Figures 2A to 4The embodiments illustrated herein are also like this. Wherever the silica-containing material is introduced into the glass transport system, the silica-containing material need not be the only material present, but may be accompanied by other refractory materials present in the form of layers or in other suitable configurations.

[0029] In some embodiments, the support structure 20 includes a bracket for supporting the metal container 10. The bracket may be configured to support a groove-like structure of the metal container 10. In some embodiments, the support structure 20 may completely surround the metal container 10.

[0030] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that in a practical glass transport system 100A, the support structure 20 may include portions extending through the silica-containing material layer 30 and the insulating material layer 40 and fixed to the floor or wall, used as appropriate to support the metal container 10. These portions may take the form of structural beams, buttresses, etc. This is for other illustrative purposes. Figures 2A to 4 The support structure illustrated in the example is also like this.

[0031] With this configuration, when molten glass G leaks from the metal container 10 and the support structure 20 and flows into the silica-containing material layer 30, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass and causes an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass G, thereby slowing down the flow of the leaking glass and mitigating or stopping the leak.

[0032] In some embodiments, the silica-containing material layer 30 is made of one or more of a material including fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high-silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, oxide ceramics, etc., or combinations thereof. The amount of silica in the silica-containing material layer is selected to be sufficient to effectively increase the viscosity of the molten glass. In all embodiments 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E of the glass transport system disclosed herein, the silica-containing material used may include one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high-silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, oxide ceramics, etc., or combinations thereof.

[0033] In all embodiments of the glass transport system disclosed herein, the metal container 10 is a conduit operable to transport molten glass G. In some embodiments, the metal container 10 comprises platinum and / or alloys thereof.

[0034] In some embodiments, the refractory material used for the corrosion-resistant support structure 20 includes a zirconia-based or alumina-based refractory material. The zirconia-based refractory material may be fused zirconia.

[0035] Reference Figure 2AA glass transport system 100B according to another embodiment is disclosed. The glass transport system 100B includes a metal container 10 for conveying molten glass G, a first support structure 20a comprising a silica-containing material, and a heat-insulating material layer 40. The first support structure 20a at least partially surrounds the metal container 10. Through the configuration of the glass transport system 100B, when molten glass G leaks from the metal container 10 and flows into the first support structure 20a, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass, thereby increasing the viscosity of the molten glass G to mitigate or stop the leakage.

[0036] Because the silica-containing material is used for the support structure 20a, the glass transport system 100B is suitable for cryogenic glass, such as glass with a melting point temperature <1400°C. In some embodiments, the metal container 10 is made of a refractory metal such as Pt.

[0037] In some embodiments of the glass transport system 100B, the first support structure 20a includes a bracket for supporting the metal container 10. The bracket may be configured to support a groove-like structure of the metal container 10. In some embodiments, the first support structure 20a may surround the entire circumference of the metal container 10.

[0038] Reference Figure 2B In embodiments where the molten glass is a high-temperature glass, such as glass with a melting point >1400°C, the glass transport system 100C further includes a second support structure 20b formed of a higher-strength refractory material disposed between the metal container 10 and a first support structure 20a made of silica-containing material. The second support structure 20b at least partially surrounds the metal container. In some embodiments, the refractory material for the second support structure 20b includes a zirconia-based or alumina-based refractory material. The zirconia-based refractory material may be fused zirconia. The second support structure 20b may include a bracket for supporting the metal container 10. In some embodiments, the second support structure 20b may surround the entire circumference of the metal container 10.

[0039] Reference Figure 3A glass transport system 100D according to another embodiment is disclosed. The glass transport system 100D includes: a metal container 10 for conveying molten glass G; a support structure 20 including a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container 10; a first insulating material layer 32 surrounding the support structure 20; a refractory layer 35 surrounding the first insulating material layer 32; a second insulating material layer 40 surrounding the refractory layer 35; and one or more injection tubes 60 extending into the first insulating material layer 32 for injecting a silica-containing material into the first insulating material layer 32. The injection tubes 60 may be made of any refractory material, including alumina and silica-based refractory materials. Silica-containing materials include one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high-silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, oxide ceramics, or combinations thereof. The injectable silica-containing material may be in paste form, such as colloidal or powdered silica suspended in a liquid. The support structure 20 may include a zirconia- or alumina-based refractory material.

[0040] With the configuration of the glass transport system 100D, when molten glass G leaks from the metal container 10 and the support structure 20 and flows into the first insulating material layer 32, and a leak is detected, a silica-containing material is injected into the first insulating material layer 32 via one or more injection pipes 60. This causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass G, thereby increasing the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop the leak. One way to detect this glass leak is by carefully monitoring the electrical power consumption used to maintain the temperature of the molten glass flowing through the glass transport system. When glass leaks into the area where the insulating material is located, the insulating properties of the insulating material decrease significantly and drastically; therefore, the system must consume significantly more electricity to power the heater assembly. Therefore, by monitoring power consumption, glass leaks in the system can be detected.

[0041] Reference Figure 4 A glass transport system 100E according to another embodiment is disclosed. The glass transport system 100E includes: a metal container 10 for conveying molten glass G; a support structure 20 including a refractory material at least partially surrounding the metal container; and an insulating material layer 40 surrounding the support structure 20; and one or more injection tubes 60 extending into the support structure 20 for injecting a silica-containing material into the support structure 20. Like the injection tubes 60, the one or more injection tubes 62 may be made of any refractory material, including alumina and silica-based refractory materials.

[0042] With the configuration of the glass transport system 100E, when molten glass G leaks from the metal container 10 and flows into the support structure 20, a silica-containing material is injected into the support structure 20. This causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass G, thereby increasing the viscosity of the molten glass to mitigate or stop the leakage. In the glass transport system 100E, the injection pipe 60 is positioned to extend into the glass-leaking area within the support structure 20.

[0043] In some embodiments, the glass transport system may include a configuration combining the silica-containing material injection features of both embodiments 100D and 100E. Such a glass transport system may include an injection tube positioned to independently inject silica-containing material into either or both of the support structure 20 and the first insulating material layer 32. When glass leakage is detected, the silica-containing material may be injected into the support structure 20, the first insulating material 32, or both if necessary.

[0044] In various embodiments of the glass transport system of the present invention disclosed herein, the viscosity of the leaked molten glass increases due to the dissolution of silica upon contact with the silica-containing material provided in the glass transport system and the cooling of the leaked molten glass as it flows out of the metal container 10. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the leaked molten glass reaches the softening point viscosity of the leaked glass, which is approximately 10. 7.6 Poisson. The softening point of glass is the temperature at which glass fibers with a diameter of less than 1 mm will stretch at a rate of 1 mm per minute under their own weight when suspended vertically.

[0045] Experimental data

[0046] Several experiments were performed, including the use of Corning 7980 fused silica particles for Corning's Eagle. Solubility of silica in glass. Solubility tests were conducted for 72 hours at approximately the setter temperature (1620°C). Analysis by EPMA (Electron Probe Micro Analyzer) showed that... The silica content in the glass increased by 48.9% (~30% by weight of SiO2). This data is presented in Table 1.

[0047] Table 1

[0048]

[0049]

[0050] Based on this data, silica readily dissolves into Eagle at clarifier temperature. In glass, this significantly alters its glass composition and properties such as viscosity. Figure 5 Show Eagle A modeling plot of the viscosity (P) of glass at 1620℃ relative to SiO2 (mol%). The data shows that at 1620℃, as the SiO2 content increases, the Eagle... The viscosity of the glass increases. This will have a significant impact on reducing glass flow in the event of a leak.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this description is not intended and should not be construed as limiting to the given examples, but should be granted the full scope of protection provided by the appended claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, some features of this disclosure may be used without correspondingly using others. Therefore, the preceding description, which provides exemplary or illustrative embodiments, is for the purpose of explaining the principles of this disclosure and is not intended to limit it, and may include modifications and arrangements thereof.

[0052] Although preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it should be understood that the embodiments described are merely illustrative, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims. Many variations and modifications will naturally occur to those skilled in the art upon reading this document when the full scope of equivalence is satisfied.

Claims

1. A glass transport system, comprising: A metal container configured to convey molten glass; A support structure comprising a refractory material that at least partially surrounds the metal container; Thermal insulation material, wherein the thermal insulation material surrounds the supporting structure; as well as One or more injection tubes extend into the insulation material and are configured to inject a silica-containing material into the insulation material; When the molten glass leaks from the metal container and the support structure and flows into the insulation material, the injection of the silica-containing material into the insulation material causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass, and causes the viscosity of the molten glass to increase, thereby mitigating or stopping the leakage.

2. The glass transport system of claim 1, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

3. The glass transport system of claim 1, wherein the metal container is an operable conduit for transporting molten glass.

4. The glass transport system of claim 1, wherein the metal container comprises platinum.

5. The glass transport system of claim 1, wherein the support structure includes a bracket configured to support the metal container.

6. The glass transport system of claim 1, wherein the refractory material comprises zirconium oxide or alumina.

7. The glass transport system of claim 6, wherein the zirconium oxide comprises fused zirconium oxide.

8. A glass transport system, comprising: A metal container configured to convey molten glass; A first support structure, the first support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container; Thermal insulation material, wherein the thermal insulation material surrounds the first support structure; as well as One or more injection tubes, extending into the first support structure, are used to inject a silica-containing material into the first support structure. When the molten glass leaks from the metal container and flows into the first support structure, the injection of the silica-containing material into the first support structure causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass, and causes the viscosity of the molten glass to increase, thereby mitigating or stopping the leakage.

9. The glass transport system of claim 8, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

10. The glass transport system of claim 8, wherein the metal container is an operable conduit for transporting molten glass.

11. The glass transport system of claim 8, wherein the metal container comprises platinum.

12. The glass transport system of claim 8, wherein the first support structure includes a bracket configured to support the metal container.

13. The glass transport system of claim 8, further comprising a second support structure comprising a refractory material and located between the metal container and the first support structure, the second support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container.

14. The glass transport system of claim 13, wherein the second support structure includes a bracket configured to support the metal container.

15. The glass transport system of claim 13, wherein the refractory material comprises zirconium oxide or alumina.

16. The glass transport system of claim 15, wherein the zirconium oxide comprises fused zirconium oxide.

17. A glass transport system, comprising: A metal container configured to convey molten glass; The supporting structure includes a refractory material that at least partially surrounds the metal container; as well as A first thermal insulation material surrounds the supporting structure; A fire-resistant layer surrounds the first thermal insulation material; A second heat-insulating material surrounds the fire-resistant layer; as well as One or more injection tubes extend into the first insulation material and are configured to inject a silica-containing material into the first insulation material, wherein the silica-containing material is disposed in a glass leakage-prone area, and the glass leakage-prone area includes a portion along the metal container that conveys the molten glass through the glass transport system. When the molten glass leaks from the metal container and the support structure and flows into the first insulation material, the injection of the silica-containing material into the first insulation material causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass, and causes the viscosity of the molten glass to increase, thereby mitigating or stopping the leakage.

18. The glass transport system of claim 17, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay minerals, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

19. The glass transport system of claim 17, wherein the metal container is an operable conduit for transporting molten glass.

20. The glass transport system of claim 17, wherein the metal container comprises platinum.

21. The glass transport system of claim 17, wherein the support structure includes a bracket configured to support the metal container.

22. The glass transport system of claim 17, wherein the refractory material of the support structure comprises zirconium oxide or alumina.

23. The glass transport system of claim 22, wherein the zirconium oxide comprises fused zirconium oxide.

24. A glass transport system, comprising: A metal container configured to convey molten glass; A support structure comprising a refractory material that at least partially surrounds the metal container; as well as Thermal insulation material, wherein the thermal insulation material surrounds the supporting structure; One or more injection tubes extend into the support structure and are configured to inject a silica-containing material into the support structure, wherein the silica-containing material is disposed in a glass leakage-prone area, and the glass leakage-prone area includes a portion along the metal container that conveys the molten glass through the glass transport system. When the molten glass leaks from the metal container and flows into the support structure, the injection of the silica-containing material into the support structure causes the silica in the silica-containing material to interact with the molten glass, resulting in an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass, thereby mitigating or stopping the leakage of the molten glass.

25. The glass transport system of claim 24, wherein the metal container is an operable conduit for transporting molten glass.

26. The glass transport system of claim 24, wherein the metal container comprises platinum.

27. The glass transport system of claim 24, wherein the support structure includes a bracket configured to support the metal container.

28. The glass transport system of claim 24, wherein the refractory material comprises zirconium oxide or alumina.

29. The glass transport system of claim 28, wherein the zirconium oxide comprises fused zirconium oxide.

30. The glass transport system of claim 24, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay minerals, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

31. A method for mitigating glass leakage in a glass transport system, wherein the glass transport system includes a metal container configured to transport molten glass and a support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container, the method comprising: A silica-containing material is injected into the support structure, whereby when the molten glass leaks from the metal container and flows into the support structure, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass to increase the viscosity of the molten glass, thereby mitigating or stopping the glass leakage.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

33. A method for mitigating glass leakage in a glass transport system, wherein the glass transport system includes a metal container configured to transport molten glass, a support structure at least partially surrounding the metal container, and an insulating material surrounding the support structure, the method comprising: When leakage of the molten glass from the metal container is detected, a silica-containing material is injected into the glass transport system. The silica-containing material is disposed in a region of the glass prone to leakage, and the region of the glass prone to leakage includes a portion along the metal container, which transports the molten glass through the glass transport system. Thereby, the silica in the silica-containing material interacts with the molten glass to increase the viscosity of the molten glass, thereby mitigating or stopping the glass leakage.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the silica-containing material comprises one or more of fused silica, quartz, cristobalite, high silica clay, non-oxide ceramics, and oxide ceramics.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the silica-containing material is in paste form.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the silica-containing material is injected into the support structure.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the silica-containing material is injected into the insulating material.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the silica-containing material is injected into both the support structure and the insulation material.

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