glass furnace

Abstract

The present invention relates to a module for discharging smoke (40) from an enclosure, having a main duct (44), the module further having a support base (42) on which the main duct is placed, and a variable duct closure system (46) is mounted on the duct.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a glass furnace.

Background Art

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for melting a vitrifiable material, particularly for the production of flat glass, hollow glass, or insulating fibers, which is hereinafter referred to as a "glass furnace".

[0003] Such a furnace consists of a tank on which an upper structure is placed. The tank is a region for melting raw materials. The upper structure is a structure that is arranged on the tank and forms a sealed region. Therefore, this upper structure has a side wall portion and a crown portion that closes the furnace from above.

[0004] This side wall portion and this crown portion are made of precast construction, that is, they consist of blocks that are precast together, and each block is made of a material that can withstand high temperatures, such as concrete, etc.

[0005] The operation of such a furnace generates smoke, which needs to be exhausted. For this reason, at least one chimney is arranged on the upper structure. This chimney consists of a precast duct having a crown portion that enables the suction of smoke.

[0006] Therefore, such a precast crown portion having at least one precast chimney is heavy and requires a strong support structure.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a glass furnace that provides an optimized smoke exhaust system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] For this purpose, the present invention relates to a module for discharging smoke from an enclosure, having a main duct, wherein the module further has a support base on which the main duct is placed, and a variable duct closure system is mounted on the duct.

[0009] In one example, the main duct is in close contact with the support base.

[0010] In one example, the main duct is attached to an external structure.

[0011] In one example, the main duct has a metal shell surrounding the masonry duct.

[0012] The present invention further relates to a glass furnace, which has a tank on which side walls are placed and which is closed from above by a crown, wherein the crown is supported by an external structure, which supports an exhaust module as described in any of the above embodiments, which is a chimney.

[0013] In one example, the crown section has multiple individual elements that are directly attached to the external structure.

[0014] In one example, individual elements in the same column are provided with means for connecting them to one another.

[0015] In one example, the connecting means has complementary surfaces.

[0016] In one example, the support base has a complementary surface for connecting to at least one individual element.

[0017] In one example, the side wall has at least one rotatably mounted panel.

[0018] In one example, rotatably mounted panels and / or variable duct closure systems are connected to a control unit that controls them, thereby adapting the furnace pressure and / or exhaust flue flow rate.

[0019] In one example, the furnace has an intake opening on what is called the upstream face, the furnace is divided into an upstream zone and a downstream zone by an axis parallel to the upstream face, and the at least one discharge module is arranged within the downstream zone.

[0020] Other specific features and advantages will become apparent from the following description, presented by way of reference and in a non-limiting manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] - Figure 1 shows a view of the furnace; [Figure 2] - Figure 2 schematically shows the smoke discharge module according to the invention; [Figure 3] - Figure 3 schematically shows the smoke discharge module according to the invention; [Figure 4] - Figure 4 schematically shows a variant of the smoke discharge module according to the invention; [Figure 5] - Figure 5 schematically shows a variant of the smoke discharge module according to the invention; [Figure 6] - Figure 6 schematically shows a variant of the smoke discharge module according to the invention; [Figure 7] - Figure 7 schematically shows the smoke discharge module with a variable discharge part according to the invention; [Figure 8] - Figure 8 schematically shows the crown of the furnace according to the invention; [Figure 9] - Figure 9 shows different views of the individual elements of the crown of the furnace according to the invention; [Figure 10] - Figure 10 shows different views of the individual elements of the crown of the furnace according to the invention; [Figure 11] - Figure 11 shows different views of the individual elements of the crown of the furnace according to the invention; [Figure 12] - Figure 12 shows different views of the individual elements of the crown of the furnace according to the invention; [Figure 13a]- Figure 13a shows different modifications of the movable panel according to the present invention; [Figure 13b] - Figure 13b shows a different modification of the movable panel according to the present invention; [Figure 13c] - Figure 13c shows different modifications of the movable panel according to the present invention; [Figure 13d] - Figure 13d shows a different modification of the movable panel according to the present invention; [Figure 13e] - Figure 13e shows a different modification of the movable panel according to the present invention. [Figure 14] - Figure 14 schematically shows a smoke exhaust module associated with a crown portion that is fitted together with individual elements according to the present invention; [Figure 15] - Figure 15 shows a top view of the furnace according to the present invention; [Figure 16] - Figure 16 shows a top view of the furnace according to the present invention; [Figure 17] - Figure 17 shows a side view of a furnace equipped with a movable panel and a downstream smoke exhaust module according to the present invention; [Figure 18] - Figure 18 shows a side view of a furnace equipped with a movable panel and a downstream smoke discharge module according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] The present invention, shown in Figure 1, relates to a glass furnace 1. Such a glass furnace has a tank 10 for melting raw materials. The tank 10 has an occupied area extending along two orthogonal directions. Thus, the tank has an occupied area that is square or rectangular in shape. The tank is formed from a base 11 and vertical walls 12, each made of a layer of material resistant to the temperature of the molten raw material, such as a refractory material like concrete. These refractory materials can be sintered or electromelted.

[0023] The furnace further has a side wall portion 20 that rests on the tank. This side wall portion is in contact with a tank extension portion 21 that acts as a stop portion for the side wall portion. The side wall portion has a panel 22 and an insert portion, which allows for the placement of functional elements, such as probes, burners, electrodes, or inspection holes.

[0024] Each panel 22 has two parallel surfaces 22a (internal and external) and a peripheral end 22b having a top, bottom, and two sides. The panels and inserts are in contact with each other at their ends, and the interfaces between them are sealed (insulated) by the installation of material to prevent the ingress of smoke and / or dust.

[0025] The side walls are supported by a cornice 23. Finally, the furnace is closed from above by a crown 30 that is in contact with the cornice 23.

[0026] The furnace further includes an intake opening OE for supplying raw materials and an exhaust opening for the molten material. The intake opening is located on the upstream surface FAm. The surface opposite to the upstream surface is called the downstream surface FAv. The exhaust opening OS is located on the downstream surface FAv or another surface called the side surface FL, as can be seen in Figures 15 and 16.

[0027] According to the present invention, the furnace has a smoke exhaust module 40. Such a smoke exhaust module has a support base 42, a main duct 44, and an exhaust adjustment unit of the system 46, as can be seen in Figure 2.

[0028] The support base 42 is part of the module and is integrated with the crown. This support base 42 consists of a block of fire-resistant material. This block has a central opening 420. This support block 42 is in the form of a plate, from which a duct 422 extends perpendicular to the plane of the plate, as can be seen in Figure 3. This duct has the same shape as the central opening.

[0029] The plate forming the support block 42 has peripheral ends 420 for being incorporated into the crown portion.

[0030] The duct 422 of the support base 42 has a shoulder portion 423 on which the main duct is placed. This main duct 44 also has a shoulder portion 441 on its surface that is in contact with the support base 42, as can be seen in Figures 4-6. Mortar or fiber joints are used to ensure a tight seal between the support base and the main duct.

[0031] The main duct 44 is equipped with an exhaust flow rate adjustment unit 46. This exhaust flow rate adjustment unit 46 is used to adjust the chimney opening as needed. This unit can take various forms.

[0032] The first configuration, as can be seen in Figure 7, consists of metal strips 461 or fire-resistant material arranged adjacent to each other and sealing the main duct. These strips are added or removed manually or by a motor-driven system controlled by a control unit.

[0033] In the second embodiment, the flow control unit 46 consists of a plate that slides across the main duct. This sliding plate is motor-driven and may or may not be controlled by the control unit, and moves across the main duct to partially or completely seal it. This second embodiment offers the advantage of facilitating relatively precise adjustments.

[0034] In one modification, the support base 42 is positioned to form part of a modular crown 30. Such a crown consists of individual elements 31 assembled together. These individual elements 31 are supported by an external structure 2, as can be seen in Figure 8. This external structure 2 may have at least one metal beam extending above the crown 30. Each individual element 31 takes the form of a block.

[0035] Each individual element 31 has a first part and a second part, as shown in Figure 9. The first part takes the form of a plate 310 and is used to form the lower surface of the crown. The second part is used to attach the individual element to the outer structure. This second part is in the form of a coupling head 312. The coupling head 312 is integrated with the plate 310 and is preferably made of the same material as the plate 310. If the coupling head is made of the same material as the plate 310, the coupling head and the plate 310 are molded together. Preferably, the coupling head 312 is positioned at the center on the plate 310 with respect to at least one axis. The coupling head 312 allows coupling means 400 to attach the individual element to the structure, as can be seen in Figure 10. These coupling means 40 have a clip 41 that grips the coupling head. The coupling head 312 and the clip 410 are molded so that the clip can support the coupling head. For example, the coupling head has a spherical cross-section, and the clip has two curved arms. In the case of a spherical jointed head, a slight inclination may be given to the individual elements. This gives curvature to the crown or assists in the placement of the individual elements.

[0036] The advantage of having a first and second part in an individual element lies in the ability to separate its functions. In fact, the individual element according to the present invention has a first part used as a structural element of the crown, while the second part is dedicated to connecting the individual elements. Therefore, even if a connecting means 40 is used which is connected to the second part by screwing in in the form of a connecting head 312, the performance of the individual element is not lost, and this does not require compensation, such as increasing the thickness of the individual element.

[0037] The clip 410 is fixed to the end of the rod 420, which itself is attached to the external structure 2. This attachment is achieved, for example, by bolting. Each individual element 31 is suspended independently from the external structure 2. This ensures optimal support and can withstand breakage of the clips on the individual elements without affecting the crown. This also provides relatively high flexibility / adaptability to assembly because the rod compensates for possible displacement of the head relative to the coupling hole in the external structure 2.

[0038] The first plate 310 is a square or rectangle formed with sides of 20 to 80 cm and a thickness of 15 to 30 cm. The plate is designed to have connecting means 314 on at least two sides, as can be seen in Figure 11. These connecting means 314 take the form of two complementary surfaces 315, such as male and female recesses and semicircles that join together. In this way, each plate has a first complementary surface on the first side and a second complementary surface on the opposite side. These sides may be adjacent or opposite each other. This makes it possible to combine and align the plates, as can be seen in Figure 12. The fire-resistant material I is placed between the plates. The complementary surfaces of the same plate may be positioned opposite each other. Preferably, four sides of the plate 310 are provided with complementary surfaces 315, which may or may not be positioned facing opposite each other. It is understood that complementary male and female surfaces may be positioned on adjacent sides. The complementary surface 315 is positioned such that a gap remains between the plates of the two assembled individual elements 31. This space is used as an expansion joint, to compensate for the expansion of the individual elements under the influence of heat. To seal the crown 30, a plate 33 or sealing means is positioned above the space between the two plates 310, as can be seen in Figure 13. These spaces are filled with a heat-resistant, compressible material (ordinary fiber) so that these joints close as the crown expands. The spaces between the individual elements are not all the same.

[0039] Furthermore, the complementary surface 315 reduces the risk of smoke penetration.

[0040] Complementary surfaces can be positioned in such a way that they allow for a certain degree of freedom in the position of individual elements, that is, to allow for an angular misalignment between two individual elements.

[0041] The plates are aligned in this manner according to at least one direction of the furnace, i.e., along the width or length direction. Thus, the crown portion 30 is composed of a plurality of parallel rows extending along one direction of the furnace, preferably the shortest direction.

[0042] In one variation, two adjacent rows of plates are offset.

[0043] In another variation, the plates are grouped in a modular form. To reinforce the crown, a certain number of plates can be joined with mortar M. This mortar is placed between two plates, on the sides that form complementary surfaces or on other sides. This mortar strengthens the crown. This mortar strengthens the crown and prevents gas penetration between the plates.

[0044] To manage the overall expansion of the crown during tempering, the mortar is arranged to form modules or zones, which are separated by open joints or filled with heat-resistant compression material (ordinary fibers) that close as the crown expands. It is understood that the individual elements of the crown are grouped into zones, while the individual elements of each zone are bonded together with the mortar, and different zones are not bonded to one or more adjacent zones.

[0045] In the modified configuration shown in Figures 13a and 13b, the panels 22 forming the side walls are installed to be movable. More specifically, the panels are installed to be rotatable. For this purpose, each panel consists of a metal frame 220 on which a concrete-like heat-resistant material 222 is placed. This material is molded onto the frame to form a plate, to which hooks overmolded with concrete are fitted, thereby firmly attaching the material to the frame. Two drilled extensions 224 are provided on the frame, thereby allowing shafts to be inserted and the panels to rotate. A pulley system is used for rotating the panels. This ability to rotate one or more panels facilitates furnace maintenance.

[0046] This pulley system may be manually controlled or motor-driven. In the case of a motor-driven pulley, a control unit, such as one that drives a flow control unit, is used to control the panel's pulley system.

[0047] In certain embodiments of these panels, one or more lateral portions of the peripheral edge 22b are not perpendicular to the outer surface of the panel. These lateral portions may be angled and / or have a stepped profile, as can be seen in Figures 13c, 13d, and 13e. The stepped profile consists of a profile with notches. The lateral portions may be a combination of angle and notches.

[0048] In this way, two adjacent panels are positioned so that their contacting side portions are complementary.

[0049] As a result, the support base 42 of the smoke discharge system according to the present invention also has at least two complementary surfaces 315 on its sides, as can be seen in Figure 14. These complementary surfaces are arranged to engage with one or more adjacent individual elements 31.

[0050] In another modification, the smoke exhaust module 40 is partially supported by an external structure 2. For this purpose, the main duct 44 consists of a metal shell surrounding a wall made of fire-resistant material. This metal shell allows for the attachment of at least one wedge, which is positioned on the main duct so as to contact the external structure 2 when the duct is in place. The wedge may or may not be placed on the structure and suspended from it, and may or may not be attached with screws and rivets. This modification advantageously allows the external structure to support a portion of the mass of the smoke exhaust module 40. Therefore, the crown does not need to be designed to support the entire mass of the smoke exhaust system.

[0051] The furnace according to the present invention has a special configuration for performing smoke discharge. This particular configuration is such that the smoke discharge module is located on the opposite side of the intake opening OE of the crown. For this purpose, the furnace is considered to be divided into two parts by an axis or plane parallel to the upstream surface FAm, i.e., the surface on which the intake opening OE is located. Preferably, both parts are the same size. Thus, the upstream zone is the zone of the furnace that encompasses the upstream surface. Thus, the smoke discharge module 40 is located within the downstream zone. Preferably, the discharge module is centrally located with respect to this downstream zone. This means that in the case of a furnace with one smoke discharge module, this module is central, whereas in the case of a furnace with two smoke discharge modules, they are centrally located and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the axis.

[0052] This particular configuration further comprises having an upstream surface, which is the surface opposite the downstream surface, and features movable panels, as can be seen in Figures 17 and 18. These movable panels on this upstream surface are used open to facilitate suction. In fact, the movable panels positioned on the upstream surface may be opened to create an intake port, which guides suction into the main duct of the smoke exhaust system. These panels are also used for other purposes, such as the passage of a loading machine.

[0053] Partial opening of the chimney panel can be used to regulate the furnace pressure during tempering.

[0054] Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples, but includes various modifications and alterations that may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A module (40) for discharging smoke from an enclosure, comprising a main duct (44), the module further comprising a support base (42) on which the main duct is placed, and a variable duct closure system (46) mounted on the duct.

2. The discharge module according to claim 1, wherein the main duct is in close contact with the support base.

3. The discharge module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main duct is attached to an external structure (2).

4. The discharge module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main duct has a metal shell surrounding a masonry duct.

5. A glass furnace having a tank, on which side walls are placed, and the tank is closed from above by a crown, the crown (30) is supported by an external structure, and the crown supports at least one chimney, which is the discharge module according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The glass furnace according to claim 5, wherein the crown portion has a plurality of individual elements (31) that are directly attached to the external structure.

7. A glass furnace according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of the individual elements in the same row of the crown portion are provided with connecting means (314) for connecting each other.

8. The glass furnace according to claim 7, wherein the connecting means has a complementary surface (315).

9. The glass furnace according to claim 8, wherein the support base of the chimney has a complementary surface for connecting with at least one individual element of the crown.

10. The glass furnace according to claim 9, wherein the side wall portion has at least one panel that is rotatably mounted by a pulley system.

11. The furnace according to claim 5, wherein the main duct of the smoke discharge module has a wedge that enables the main duct to be attached to and supported by the external structure.

12. The furnace according to claim 10, wherein the rotatably mounted panel and / or the variable duct closure device are connected to a control device that controls them to adjust the furnace pressure and / or the output smoke flow rate.

13. The furnace according to claim 5, having an intake opening (OE) on the so-called upstream surface, wherein the furnace is divided into two upstream and downstream zones by an axis parallel to the upstream surface, and the at least one discharge module is located within the downstream zone.

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