System and method for producing a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers

Abstract

Present a solution that enables the safe production of a barrier fiber mat. 【Solution means】The present invention is a cross-linking system (SYS_R) for a continuous mat of minerals and / or plant fibers, the cross-linking system comprising a cross-linking oven (14) for the mat, the cross-linking oven comprising at least one heating box, each heating box being connected to a combustion chamber, and relates to a cross-linking system (SYS_R). The cross-linking system further comprises an "injection" system (SYS_I), the "injection" system being arranged outside the cross-linking oven and configured to inject hot air into at least one combustion chamber of the heating box, the hot air thus injected replacing a given proportion of the hot air generated by a burner attached to the at least one combustion chamber, the proportion being 20% to 100%, for example 30% to 95%, more specifically 40% to 80%.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the general field of manufacturing thermal and / or acoustic insulation products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a crosslinking system for continuous mats of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, in particular for mineral wool of the glass or rock wool type. Such mats are intended to be cut into, for example, thermal and / or acoustic insulation panels or rolls. The present invention also relates to a crosslinking method implemented by the crosslinking system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, the production of insulating fiber mats mainly includes fiberization and loading of fibers onto a movable conveyor or transport device provided with perforations. The newly formed fiber deposit is pressed onto the conveyor by a suction box disposed below the transport device on which the fibers are loaded. During fiberization, the binder is sprayed onto the drawn fibers in a state of being dissolved or suspended in a volatile liquid such as water. This binder has adhesive properties and usually contains a thermosetting substance such as a thermosetting resin.

[0003] Next, a primary layer of relatively loose fibers on the collecting conveyor is transferred to a heating device generally referred to in the art as a crosslinking oven. The continuous mat of fibers passes through this oven over its entire length, which is attributed to each conveyor pressing the mat between the conveyors towards each other, and the distance between the conveyors is adjustable. Thus, such a mat may have a relatively high density or a relatively low density depending on the degree of compression exerted by the two conveyors within the oven.

[0004] When passing through the oven, the mat undergoes a specific heat treatment simultaneously with drying, which causes the polymerization (i.e., "curing") of the thermosetting resin of the binder present on the surface of the fibers.

[0005] The method used to cause the binder to cure is to pass hot air through the entire thickness of the mat, which is done by gradually raising the temperature of the binder itself, which is present throughout the thickness of the mat, to a temperature higher than its curing temperature.

[0006] For this purpose, the crosslinking oven consists of an enclosure, which forms a closed chamber, and a series of boxes are arranged in this closed chamber. Each box is supplied with hot air by a combustion chamber, and at least one burner and a fan are attached to this combustion chamber. By each of these fans, air is supplied to the at least one burner and the hot air generated thereby is circulated.

[0007] Accordingly, each box defines an independent heating zone where specific heating conditions are set. Each box has a wall with an opening for the mat and is separated by upper and lower conveyors. By using a plurality of boxes, it is advantageously possible to raise the temperature of the mat in a stepwise and better controlled manner throughout the path through which the mat passes through the oven, and also to prevent the appearance of hot spots due to local overheating or the presence of regions in the mat where the binder is not fully polymerized.

[0008] In practice, there are various constraints in the operation and use of the crosslinking oven. One of the important ones among these constraints is operational safety, which constitutes a regulatory framework applicable to all operators. In particular, it is necessary to control several risks, such as the risk of heat accumulation in the oven and the risk of explosion associated with the generation of combustible substances (such as volatile organic compounds) during the crosslinking operation.

[0009] In addition to these conventional safety constraints, there are now other constraints. In the cross-linking ovens conventionally used, a large amount of energy is consumed. Almost all of the energy consumed is obtained from the gas required by the burner to supply hot air to the heating box. Therefore, the production of the barrier fiber mat is a particularly high-emission source of greenhouse gases such as CO2, which is a problem not only from the perspective of environmental protection but also from the perspective of controlling production costs (gas prices can vary widely).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] The object of the present invention is to present a solution that can safely manufacture a barrier fiber mat while reducing the gas consumption compared to the solutions in the prior art and maintaining excellent energy efficiency, thereby improving some or all of the drawbacks of the prior art, particularly the drawbacks of the prior art described above. Therefore, in particular, the present invention is to meet the current environmental protection requirements by providing the possibility of suppressing greenhouse gas emissions during the production of the barrier fiber mat.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the present invention is a cross-linking system for a continuous mat of mineral and / or plant fibers, the cross-linking system comprising a cross-linking oven for the mat, the cross-linking oven comprising at least one heating box, each heating box being connected to a combustion chamber, relating to a cross-linking system. The cross-linking system further comprises an "injection" system, the "injection" system being arranged outside the cross-linking oven and configured to inject hot air into at least one combustion chamber of the heating box, and the hot air thus injected replaces a given proportion of the hot air generated by at least one burner attached to the at least one combustion chamber, the proportion being 20% to 100%, for example 30% to 95%, more specifically 40% to 80%.

[0012] The plant fibers are preferably selected from the group consisting of lignocellulosic fibers and cotton fibers. The lignocellulosic fibers are preferably selected from wood fibers, hemp fibers, flax fibers, sisal fibers, cotton fibers, jute fibers, coconut fibers, raffia fibers, abaca fibers, cereal straws, or rice straws.

[0013] In this way, the hot air injected into the combustion chamber by the injection system replaces, without external energy input, a part of the hot air (i.e., the hot air generated by at least one burner (nominal), that is, the hot air circulating in the heating box and generated only from the gas used by at least one burner, or in other words, the hot air generated by at least one burner before the operation of the injection system).

[0014] The selection of the value of the ratio may depend on how the cross-linking system is operated. As a non-limiting example, the value of this ratio can be set such that the flow rate of the hot air injected by the injection system replaces (substitutes) a part of the nominal flow rate of the hot air circulating in the at least one heating box. Of course, the control of the injection system and thus the selection of the value of the ratio can be further carried out according to other considerations, for example, considerations regarding the energy or power supplied by at least one burner of the at least one heating box (i.e., the purpose is to replace (substitute) a part of this energy / power with the hot air injected by the injection system).

[0015] Generally speaking, the operating safety of the curing oven is ensured by the supply of hot air passing through the heating box.

[0016] Furthermore, by supplying hot air from outside the curing oven, the present invention provides the advantage that gas consumption is reduced, and thus ultimately greenhouse gas emissions are reduced (for example, the hot air is generated from electricity generated from "green" electricity, i.e., low CO2-emission energy such as renewable energy or nuclear energy).

[0017] In particular, the inventors of the present invention have estimated that it is possible to reduce the gas requirement of the crosslinking oven by 50% to 70% by the present invention, and as a result, a significant amount of greenhouse gas is not released into the atmosphere.

[0018] This possibility of reducing the gas requirement is also advantageous in that it can thereby suppress the amount of combustion gas generated in the oven. Considering that such combustion gas can accumulate in addition to the emissions from the binder used, this makes the use of the crosslinking system even safer.

[0019] The inventors have further found that replacing a part of the gas with hot air generated by the injection system generally has a negligible effect on the energy efficiency obtained during the production of the mat (typically a decrease of 3% to 4% because heat loss occurs at the wall between the injection system and the crosslinking oven).

[0020] A further advantage of the present invention is that the injection system can be easily installed in an existing fleet. For example, the injection system can be placed on the floor next to the enclosure of the crosslinking oven or, for example, on a dedicated walkway.

[0021] Furthermore, by placing the injection system externally, the injection system is protected from any contamination (e.g., particle emissions) generated by the crosslinking oven. This is because such contamination can cause blockages that limit the efficiency of the injection system and may even pose serious problems for the operation of the injection system, thus potentially causing safety issues during operation (e.g., fires in case of failure of electrical resistors).

[0022] Finally, it is important to note that the crosslinking system according to the present invention is particularly advantageously utilized in cases where a binder of biological origin is used. In fact, the injection of hot air means that the curing air is dried to a higher degree, which enables the release of a significant proportion of the dilution water used to be able to spray the binder of biological origin onto the mat fibers. This advantage also applies when the binder is obtained by an esterification reaction, in which case a very large proportion of the water generated in the reaction can be released. In other words, the present invention enables an improvement in the drying / curing capacity (and thus the energy consumption and CO2 emissions).

[0023] A "binder of biological origin" as used herein refers to a binder that is partially or completely derived from biomass. This can be, for example, a phenolic binder or other low-formaldehyde-containing binder, which is preferably even formaldehyde-free and especially when it is at least partially derived from a renewable raw material substrate, especially a plant substrate, particularly of the type based on hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated sugars, it may be referred to as a "green binder".

[0024] In certain embodiments, the crosslinking system may further include one or more of the following features, either alone or in any technically feasible combination.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the injection system comprises heating means, such as electrical heating means, configured to heat the ambient air to a given temperature.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the given temperature is from 500 °C to 2000 °C, more specifically from 700 °C to 1900 °C, or even more specifically from 1000 °C to 1900 °C, and even more specifically substantially 1800 °C.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the heating means comprises at least one battery having a rated output of 100 kW to 900 kW, more specifically 500 kW to 700 kW, for example substantially 600 kW.

[0028] In certain embodiments, preheated air is supplied to the injection system.

[0029] In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the preheated air is derived from a glass melting furnace and / or corresponds to recovered hot air.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the injection system is connected to a hot air emergency exhaust port disposed between the injection system and the crosslinking oven.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the injection system is configured to inject hot air from outside the crosslinking oven.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the injection system comprises a hot air supply line between a hot air source outside the crosslinking oven and at least one combustion chamber.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a production line for producing a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, the production line comprising a fibrillation unit for the continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, a mat transport conveyor, and a crosslinking system according to the present invention.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a method for crosslinking a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, the method being carried out using a crosslinking system according to the present invention.

[0035] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, which is implemented using the manufacturing line according to the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0036] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting description and with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments thereof.

Figure 1

Figure 2

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0037] FIG. 1 schematically shows a specific embodiment of the manufacturing line L_FAB according to the present invention in its environment.

[0038] The manufacturing line L_FAB is configured to manufacture a continuous mat of mineral fibers, more specifically a continuous mat of mineral fibers based on glass wool, where it is understood that the line L_FAB can be of any type suitable for the manufacture of products based on mineral fibers and optionally also on vegetable fibers. The first step of manufacturing said mat is also disclosed with reference to FIG. 1.

[0039] Normally, the manufacturing line L_FAB comprises a fiberizing unit 1 configured to carry out an internal centrifugal fiberizing process known per se. The fiberizing unit 1 comprises a hood (not shown in FIG. 1) having at least one centrifuge 2 above. Each centrifuge 2 comprises a basket (not shown in FIG. 1) for collecting a stream of pre-melted glass fibers and a plate-like part 3 provided with a plurality of orifices in its peripheral wall part.

[0040] During operation, the molten glass is supplied from a melting furnace (not shown) to the flow path 4, first collected in the centrifugal separation basket 2, and discharged through the orifice of the plate 3 in the form of a number of rotating filaments. The centrifugal separator 2 is also surrounded by an annular burner 5, and by this annular burner 5, a gas flow is generated at high speed around the wall of the centrifugal separator 2 and at a high temperature sufficient to stretch the glass filaments into fibers in the form of a web 6.

[0041] To maintain the glass and the centrifugal separator 2 at an appropriate temperature, heating means 7 such as an inductor are used. As shown by the arrow 8 in FIG. 1, the web 6 is closed by a gas flow of pressurized air. The annular body 6 thus produced is surrounded by a sizing spray device containing an aqueous solution of a thermosetting binder, and only two of its elements 9 are shown in FIG. 1.

[0042] This is, for example, a phenolic binder or other low formaldehyde-containing binder, which is preferably further formaldehyde-free, especially when it is at least partially derived from a renewable raw material substrate, especially a plant substrate, especially of the type based on hydrogenated or non-hydrogenated sugars, and may be referred to as a "green binder".

[0043] The bottom of the fiberizing hood is formed by a fiber-containing device, which comprises a conveyor incorporated with a continuous belt 10 permeable to gas and water, and below it, a suction box 11 for gases such as air and smoke and the surplus of the aqueous composition generated in the aforementioned fiberizing process is arranged. In this way, a mat 12 of glass wool fibers sufficiently mixed with the sizing composition is formed on the conveyor belt 10. The mat 12 is conveyed by the conveyor 10 to the crosslinking system SYS_R according to the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 2 schematically shows a specific example of the crosslinking system SYS_R belonging to the manufacturing line L_FAB shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the crosslinking system SYS_R includes a crosslinking oven 14 for a thermosetting binder. The crosslinking oven 14 includes a series of heating boxes separated from each other by partition walls.

[0046] More specifically, in the embodiments disclosed herein, there are five heating boxes 21-25.

[0047] By using multiple boxes, the fiber mat 12 can be gradually heated to a temperature higher than the curing temperature of the binder present on the fibers of the mat 12. The mechanical properties of the final product depend, as described above, particularly when a green binder is used, on the precise temperature control in the various boxes.

[0048] However, the fact that five boxes are considered does not constitute a limitation of the present invention. Generally speaking, there are no restrictions in this regard.

[0049] Each box 21-25 includes a central compartment 21_CC-25_CC, which forms the enclosure of the box and is surrounded by a barrier material.

[0050] Two conveyors 18A, 18B for transporting and calibrating the mat 12 pass through the enclosures of each box 21-25. For example, these conveyors 18A, 18B are configured to rotate by a motor installed at the base (not shown), are connected by hinges, and are formed in a well-known manner by a series of pallets made of a grid that has been perforated to allow gas to pass through.

[0051] While ensuring the passage of high-temperature gas that promotes rapid curing of the binder, the conveyors 18A, 18B typically compress the mat 12 to the desired thickness.

[0052] As an example, in the case of a rolled panel, this is typically 10 - 450 mm, and the density of the glass wool layer is, for example, 5 - 150 kg / m3. Thus, for example, it can be divided into so-called low-density products with a density varying between 5 - 20 kg / m3 and so-called high-density products with a density varying between 20 - 150 kg / m3.

[0053] The mineral wool mat 12 sprayed with the binder first enters the inlet airlock 17A equipped with the smoke exhaust hood 19A, where this hood 19A is connected to a dedicated smoke treatment circuit (not shown). In this first inlet airlock 17A, the residual water present in the fiber mat 12 first evaporates due to the hot air introduced into the mat 12.

[0054] The additional smoke generated within the boxes 21 - 25 is generally discharged into the outlet airlock 17B via the hood 19B.

[0055] It is important to note that the idea of arranging the hoods 19A and 19B at the inlet and outlet of the crosslinking system SYS_R is merely a variant of an embodiment of the present invention. Any other variants known to those skilled in the art are also conceivable, such as a variant where the hood is arranged substantially at the center of the crosslinking oven 14.

[0056] Normally, as shown in FIG. 2, each heating box 21 - 25 is connected to a combustion chamber 31 - 35 (i.e., in fluid communication). Each combustion chamber 31 - 35 supplies hot air to the corresponding heating box 21 - 25, where this hot air is generated by a burner (not shown in FIG. 2) attached to the combustion chamber 31 - 35 (assuming the burner body is located outside the combustion chamber) and is circulated by a fan (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0057] It should be noted that here, it is assumed that each combustion chamber 31 to 35 is provided with a single burner. Of course, such a regulation is not a limitation of the present invention at all. This is because, as is well known to those skilled in the art, each combustion chamber 31 to 35 can be provided with one or more burners.

[0058] Gas and combustion air are supplied to each burner from the gas line 26, thereby generating hot air for the heating boxes 21 to 25 connected to the combustion chambers 31 to 35 connected to the burner. This gas supply is represented by the arrow F1 in FIG. 2.

[0059] As a non-limiting example, the set temperature of the combustion chambers 31 to 35 is 200°C to 250°C (or even up to 300°C), for example, 210°C, 215°C, 225°C, etc.

[0060] In the embodiment disclosed in relation to FIG. 2, each heating box 21 to 25 is provided with a hot air recirculation line in fluid communication with the combustion chambers 31 to 35. This recirculation circuit is assumed to be connected, for example, to at least one radial turbine suitable for drawing in hot air and / or additional heating means arranged within the enclosures 31 to 35 of the heating boxes 21 to 25. Such an embodiment is disclosed in detail, for example, in International Publication No. WO 2016 / 203170. Note that only a part of the recirculation circuit is shown in the form of the recirculation line 40 in FIG. 2.

[0061] Here, an idea has been made that hot air circulation is achieved by a recirculation circuit, but it is important to note that this is merely a variant of an embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, this does not exclude the possibility of other further embodiments. For example, it does not exclude the possibility of an embodiment in which hot air is introduced into the heating boxes 21 to 25 from below (or from above) and discharged from above (or from below). In that case, the circulation of hot air in the heating boxes 21 to 25 is achieved by a system of an inlet hood and an outlet hood. Such an embodiment is also disclosed in the aforementioned International Publication No. 2016 / 203170.

[0062] Normally, the crosslinking oven 14 is provided with an external shielding jacket 50 (shown only in FIG. 1 for clarity), which surrounds all of the boxes 21 to 25 and is made of a shielding material such as mineral wool. In most cases, the airtightness of the entire facility is ensured by the external shielding jacket 50 itself surrounding a first metal enclosure (not shown), and as a result, contaminated gas can be discharged from the apparatus only through the hoods 19B and 19A.

[0063] According to the present invention, the crosslinking system SYS_R includes, in addition to the crosslinking oven 14, a so-called "injection" system SYS_I disposed outside the oven 14.

[0064] "Disposed outside the oven 14" means that the injection system SYS_I is disposed outside the enclosure 50 of the oven 14.

[0065] Basically, the position of the system SYS_I is not limited as long as it is located outside the oven 14. For example, it is possible to dispose the system SYS_I on the floor next to the enclosure of the oven 14 or, for example, on a dedicated walkway.

[0066] The injection system SYS_I is configured to inject hot air into at least one of the combustion chambers 31-35 (and thus into at least one of the heating boxes 21-25). The hot air thus injected replaces a given proportion of the hot air generated by the burner(s) attached to (connected to) the at least one combustion chamber 31-35, and this proportion is between 20% and 100%, for example between 30% and 95%, more specifically between 40% and 80%.

[0067] In other words, the hot air injected into the combustion chambers 31-35 by the SYS_ system replaces all or part of the hot air generated by the burner(s) (i.e., the hot air that circulates in the heating boxes 21-25 and is generated only from the gas used by the burner(s)).

[0068] More specifically, in the embodiments disclosed herein, the value of this proportion is set such that the hot air injected by the injection system SYS_I replaces (substitutes for) a given portion of the energy / power supplied by the burner(s) of the at least one combustion chamber 31-35.

[0069] The injection system SYS_I is configured to inject hot air from outside the oven 14.

[0070] In other words, the hot air source is located outside the oven.

[0071] The hot air to be injected and the gas recirculated by the recirculation circuits 31-35 of the combustion chambers are separate.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the injection system SYS_I is configured to inject hot air into the recirculation circuit of each combustion chamber 31-35, more specifically at the inlet of the combustion chambers 31-35. This injection of hot air is represented by arrow F2 in Figure 2.

[0073] The fact that hot air can be injected at the inlets of the combustion chambers 31 to 35 in the recirculation circuit does not mean that this is permanently the case. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the injection system SYS_I can include a regulating valve 60 disposed between the hot air supply line 70 of the system SYS_I and the combustion chamber. Each regulating valve 60 can be controlled so as to supply hot air to a given combustion chamber 31 to 35, for example, over a given period. One or more regulating valves 60 can be automatically controlled (i.e., programmable).

[0074] The inlet of the hot air supply line 70 is in fluid communication with the exterior of the oven 14.

[0075] The hot air supply line 70 is configured to supply hot air from the exterior of the oven 14.

[0076] Of course, embodiments are also conceivable in which one or more combustion chambers 31 to 35 are not connected to the line 70 and thus hot air from the system SYS_I cannot be supplied to the combustion chamber.

[0077] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in order to generate hot air that is to be injected so as to replace a given proportion of the hot air generated by the burner, the injection system SYS_I includes electric heating means 80 configured to heat ambient air to a given temperature.

[0078] As a non-limiting example, the given temperature is between 500°C and 2000°C, more specifically between 700°C and 1900°C, or even more specifically between 1000°C and 1900°C, and even more specifically substantially 1800°C.

[0079] Here, since the assumed temperature is much higher than the set temperature of the combustion chamber cited as an example above, considering the example of the injection ratio also cited above (more specifically, an example of a ratio strictly less than 100%), it should be noted that the injection of hot air implemented by the system SYS_I can be regarded as a low-volume heat "boost" provided in the combustion chambers 31 to 35.

[0080] The electric heating means 80 may include, for example, at least one battery with a rated output of 100 kW to 900 kW, more specifically 500 kW to 700 kW, for example substantially 600 kW, and the at least one battery can supply electricity to one or more electric resistors (not shown) that can heat ambient air to a desired temperature.

[0081] In a more specific example, the number of batteries is equal to the number of heating boxes in the oven 14.

[0082] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such power values are not limiting with respect to the present invention. Similarly, the number of batteries used is not limiting with respect to the present invention, and this number depends particularly not only on the temperature assumed for the hot air to be injected but also on the volume / ratio of the hot air, and this latter aspect is related to the number of heating boxes that are expected to be connected to the injection system SYS_I through each combustion chamber.

[0083] Naturally, in order to reliably transfer the hot air generated by the electric heating means 80 to the combustion chambers 31 to 35, the injection system SYS_I may include air circulation means 90.

[0084] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the air circulation means 90 includes a fan 90 configured to circulate the air in the hot air supply line 70.

[0085] It is important to note that the idea of generating hot air by the electric heating means 80 is merely a single modification example of the present invention. In this regard, other modification examples are further conceivable for obtaining hot air, optionally in combination with the use of the electric heating means 80.

[0086] For example, preheated air can be supplied to the injection system SYS_I. At least a part of the air preheated in this way may be, for example, derived from a melting furnace that generates molten glass for the fiberizing unit 1 (for example, hot air derived from the smoke generated by an air gas furnace, an oxy-gas furnace, etc.), and / or may correspond to recovered hot air (for example, air derived from one or more compressors and / or one or more heat exchangers arranged outside the oven 14). In principle, any preheated air derived from unavoidable energy is conceivable.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 2 in the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the injection system SYS_I is also connected to an emergency hot air exhaust port 100 (also known as an "emergency chimney") arranged between the system SYS_I and the crosslinking oven 14. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the connection between the system SYS_I and the emergency exhaust port 100 is made by a discharge line 110 provided with a regulating valve 120. Such a configuration is optional and has the advantage that, particularly when preheated air is supplied to the system SYS_I, the accumulation of heat harmful to the operation of the crosslinking system SYS_C is avoided.

[0088] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to only the crosslinking system SYS_C and the manufacturing line L_FAB. The present invention also relates to a method for crosslinking the mat 12 using the crosslinking system SYS_C. The crosslinking method particularly includes a step for heating the mat 12 in each of the heating boxes 21 to 25, and (depending on whether all of the heating boxes 21 to 25 are connected to the system SYS_I or whether some of the heating boxes 21 to 25 are connected to the system SYS_I) all or some of these heating steps are carried out by supplying hot air from the system SYS_I.

[0089] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the mat 12 implemented by the manufacturing line L_FAB. This manufacturing method particularly includes the first manufacturing step already disclosed above with reference to FIG. 1 and a step implemented as part of the above-described crosslinking method.

Claims

1. A cross-linking system (SYS_R) for a continuous mat of minerals and / or vegetable fibers, said cross-linking system comprising a cross-linking oven (14) for said mat, said cross-linking oven comprising at least one heating box, each heating box being connected to a combustion chamber, said cross-linking system further comprising an "injection" system (SYS_I), said "injection" system being arranged outside said cross-linking oven and configured to inject hot air into at least one combustion chamber of the heating box, the hot air thus injected replacing a given proportion of the hot air generated by a burner attached to said at least one combustion chamber, said proportion being 20% to 100%, for example 30% to 95%, more specifically 40% to 80%, characterized cross-linking system (SYS_R).

2. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to claim 1, wherein said injection system (SYS_I) comprises heating means, for example electric heating means (80), configured to heat ambient air to a given temperature.

3. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to claim 2, wherein said given temperature is 500°C to 2000°C, more specifically 700°C to 1900°C, or even 1000°C to 1900°C, even more specifically substantially 1800°C.

4. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said heating means comprises at least one battery with a rated output of 100 kW to 900 kW, more specifically 500 kW to 700 kW, for example substantially 600 kW.

5. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein preheated air is supplied to said injection system.

6. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of said preheated air is derived from a glass melting furnace and / or corresponds to recovered hot air.

7. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said injection system (SYS_I) is connected to a hot air emergency exhaust port (100) arranged between said injection system and said cross-linking oven (14).

8. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said injection system (SYS_I) is configured to inject hot air from outside said cross-linking oven (14).

9. The cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the injection system (SYS_I) comprises a hot air supply line (70) between a hot air source outside the cross-linking oven (14) and the at least one combustion chamber.

10. A production line (L_FAB) for the production of a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, comprising a fibrillation unit (1) for the continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, a transport conveyor for the mat, and the cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A method for cross-linking a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, wherein the cross-linking method is carried out using the cross-linking system (SYS_R) according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method for producing a continuous mat of mineral and / or vegetable fibers, wherein the production method is carried out using the production line (L_FAB) according to claim 10.

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