Apparatus for melting and refining glass and method for manufacturing such an apparatus - Patents.com

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for melting and refining glass.SOLUTION: An apparatus having at least a set height and a set width includes: a tank for manufacturing a glass melt; and a refining wall substantially extended in the lateral direction of the tank, having a height smaller than the height of the tank, including a dam having two walls for forming a gap, forming the overflow edge part of the glass melt and arranged in the gap. A protection fluid supply device arranged to be connected to the gap by a fluid is formed so as to supply a protection fluid for protecting the dam into the gap at an excessive pressure compared with the periphery of the tank at least during the operation process of the apparatus.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising: a vessel for producing a glass melt having at least a set height and a set width; A refining wall extending substantially transversely of the vessel and having a height less than the height of the vessel, the refining wall having two walls forming a gap in which a weir forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged. The present invention relates to an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising:

[0002] The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising the steps of: - providing a vessel for producing a glass melt having at least a set height and a set width; and - providing a refining wall extending substantially transversely of the vessel and having a height less than the height of the vessel, the refining wall having two walls forming a gap in which a weir forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged, The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising:

[0003] Although the invention is generally applicable to any material for the refinery wall, the invention will be described with respect to a refinery wall comprising molybdenum.

[0004] Although the present invention is generally applicable to any glass, the invention will be described with reference to soda-lime glass. [Background technology]

[0005] As is known - for example from DE 102 36 521 - for the production of glass, a refining wall is used which has a weir made of molybdenum, which is located in a gap formed by a support fence on both sides. In this case, the weir, and more precisely the molybdenum of the weir, must be protected against oxidation during operation. For this purpose, areas of the molybdenum are applied with water glass, and corresponding areas of the weir are applied with soda-lime glass sheets via the water glass. In this case, the entire gap between the weir and the support fence is filled with a tamping material - which mainly comprises zirconium silicate and borosilicate glass powder - in a particularly labor-intensive manner. During the tempering process in the production of glass, the water glass and the soda-lime glass soften at temperatures below about 550° C., i.e. below the onset of oxidation of the molybdenum due to the residual oxygen present in the device. The softened glass also protects the molybdenum of the weir against oxidation during the subsequent temperature increase process. During this period, the tamping mass, due to its still plastic properties, prevents the glass sheet from descending / sliding out of the gate. From a temperature of about 1100°C, sintering of the tamping mass begins. The sintering process continues during the subsequent temperature increase process, leading to hardening and compaction of the tamping mass. In this case, compaction also leads to a reduction in the porosity in the tamping mass, which results in a gas-tight encapsulation of the molybdenum of the gate.

[0006] When an apparatus for producing soda-lime glass or another glass such as borosilicate glass is started up, in other words when an apparatus that includes soda-lime glass or another glass such as borosilicate glass as a first or starting glass is put into operation, undesirable reactions occur between the antioxidant tamping agent and the product glass, here soda-lime glass, which over a period of several months results in inclusions and bubbles in the product glass, here in the form of soda-lime glass. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for melting and refining glass, which can ensure a variable and free selection of the starting glass of the apparatus.It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive apparatus for melting and refining glass, and a simple and inexpensive means for producing said apparatus.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an alternative apparatus for melting and refining glass as well as an alternative method for manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In one embodiment, the present invention achieves at least one of the above-mentioned objects by: 1. An apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising: a vessel for producing a glass melt having at least a set height and a set width; A refining wall extending substantially transversely of the vessel and having a height less than the height of the vessel, the refining wall having two walls forming a gap in which a weir forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged. 1. An apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising: This is achieved by providing a protective fluid supply device that is fluidly connected to the gap, and the protective fluid device is configured to supply protective fluid for protecting the weir into the gap at an excess pressure compared to the surroundings of the tank, at least during the operation of the device.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method for achieving at least one of the above-mentioned objects by: 1. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising the steps of: - providing a vessel for producing a glass melt with at least a set height and a set width, - providing a refining wall extending substantially transversely of the vessel and having a height less than the height of the vessel, the refining wall having two walls forming a gap in which a weir forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged, 1. A method of manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass, comprising: The solution is provided by providing a protective fluid supply device that is fluidly connected to the gap and is configured to supply a protective fluid for protecting the weir into the gap at an excess pressure compared to the surroundings of the tank, at least during the operation of the device.

[0011] One of the advantages that this offers is that it makes it possible to dispense with all coating, gluing and compacting materials, which allows for a simple and inexpensive production of various glasses, as well as the significant waiting time of several months after the first starting glass before another type of glass can be produced by the machine without inclusions and bubbles.

[0012] "Run", "running process" or "running sequence" is used in the broadest sense, particularly in this specification and preferably in the claims, to refer to the process of the first run of an apparatus for producing glass. The glass to be produced in the first run is called the start glass or first glass, and particularly relates to the type of glass at hand, e.g. soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass, etc.

[0013] Further features, advantages and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described or disclosed by way of illustration below.

[0014] In one advantageous refinement, one or more covers are arranged on the purification wall, the covers having a settable number of gaps and / or a gap is formed between at least two adjacent covers, the advantage of which is the storage of the weir as tight as possible with respect to the remaining space of the device, for example the furnace chamber, which significantly improves the protection of the weir against oxidation.

[0015] In one further advantageous refinement, the protective fluid is provided in gas form, which allows for a cheap protective fluid and for a simple and inexpensive handling of the protective fluid.

[0016] In one further advantageous refinement, the gas is supplied in the form of an inert gas, preferably nitrogen and / or a noble gas, and / or in the form of forming gas, preferably with a hydrogen content of 0 to 20% by volume, in particular 0.5 to 10% by volume, The advantage of this is that it provides a sufficient protection of the glass against oxidation without interfering with the production process of the respective glass.

[0017] In one further advantageous refinement, at least one pressure measuring device is arranged, which has at least one pressure sensor and is configured to measure the pressure of the protective fluid in the gap, and / or a temperature measuring device is arranged, which has at least one temperature sensor and is configured to measure the temperature of the weir in the gap. One of the advantages obtained hereby is an effective management of the protective fluid and thus the prevention of oxidation of the weir, in other words, the reliability of the glass production is improved.

[0018] In one further advantageous refinement, a control device is arranged which is configured to control the inflow of protective fluid to a predefinable value based on the pressure measured by the pressure measuring device and / or the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device, thereby obtaining the advantages of continuous monitoring as well as continuous adaptation to changing parameters of the operating process, which overall significantly improves the reliability of the glass production process.

[0019] In one further advantageous refinement, the protective fluid supplying device comprises a number of supplying devices arranged laterally perpendicular to the purification wall and / or below the purification wall and fluidly connected to the gap for supplying the protective fluid to the gap, which makes it possible to efficiently supply the protective fluid to cover the face of the weir.

[0020] In one further advantageous refinement, the supply device is formed in such a way that it supplies protective fluid to two sides of the weir, the advantage of which is a more efficient supply of protective fluid to the weir and thus prevention of oxidation of the weir.

[0021] In one further advantageous refinement, the feed devices are arranged symmetrically on the extension of the weir, which has the advantage of an efficient supply of protective fluid to the weir and easy access to the feed devices, for example for maintenance purposes.

[0022] In one further advantageous refinement, the supply devices are arranged on different sides of the weir in the extension of the weir, so that the two sides of the weir can be supplied with protective fluid via at least one distributor, one of the advantages which is obtained in that this allows a more compact construction or a more flexible arrangement of the supply devices.

[0023] In a further advantageous refinement, the feed devices are arranged alternately on different sides along the weir, which allows a particularly compact construction to be achieved or the distance between two feed devices on the same side of the weir to be utilized more flexibly, since in this case this distance is larger than if all feed devices were arranged on the same side.

[0024] In one further advantageous refinement, the weir has at its upper edge a substantially T-shaped cross section with a horizontal part and a vertical part, and at the transition between the two parts at least one inclined surface is arranged which provides an angle between the two parts that is greater than 90 degrees. The advantage of this is that the air bubbles which arise and rise along the vertical part of the weir are guided upwards, which increases the reliability of the manufacturing process and improves the oxidation protection of the weir.

[0025] In one further advantageous refinement, the weir is at least partially manufactured from a refractory metal, in particular molybdenum, tungsten, etc. The advantage of this is that due to properties such as the high melting point of the refractory metal, a reliable production of the glass is possible.

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the subclaims, the drawings and the description of the drawings based on the attached drawings.

[0027] It is self-evident that the features mentioned above, and which will be further explained below, can be used not only in the respective combinations described, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the framework of the invention.

[0028] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred configurations and embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail in the following description, in which like reference numbers refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components or elements. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional diagram illustrating, in schematic form, an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing, in schematic form, a purification wall viewed in a direction parallel to the width of the vessel. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 shows in schematic form a front view of a purification wall equipped with a feed device according to one embodiment of the invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a three-dimensional view showing, in schematic form, a dispensing device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 shows in schematic form a three-dimensional view of a purification wall in the region of the bottom of a vessel according to one embodiment of the invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 illustrates in schematic form the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In detail, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 1 for melting and refining glass, with a here substantially rectangular vessel 3 having a height 300 and a width 301. Along the width 301, i.e. along the transverse direction 100 of the vessel 3, a refining wall 2 extends in the interior of the vessel 3, the height 200 of the refining wall 2 being smaller than the height 300 of the vessel 3. The refining wall 2 has two walls 4a, 4b, between which a gap 5 is formed. In the gap 5, a weir 6 is arranged, which forms an overflow edge for the glass melt to be received in the vessel (see FIG. 2). On the upper side of the refining wall 2, a number of covers 8 are arranged, which cover the refining wall 2 upwards. In total, three gaps 9 are formed between each cover 8. The gaps 9 or gaps serve to cover the weirs with glass during complete melting, and the covers 8 serve to regulate the excess pressure of the inert gas or forming gas at the weir 6. In this case, the overpressure may be, for example, 100 microbar compared to the atmospheric pressure and the width of the gap may be, for example, between 1 mm and 20 mm, for example 10 mm.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows in schematic form a cross section of the purification wall taken in a direction parallel to the width of the vessel.

[0033] In detail, FIG. 2 shows the upper region of the purification wall 2. Laterally, the purification wall is bounded - as already mentioned above - by side walls 4a, 4b on the left and right. Between the two walls 4a, 4b and the upper cover 8, a gap 5 is formed, in which a substantially T-shaped weir 6 made of molybdenum is arranged. In its upper region, the weir 6 has a horizontal part 6a, a horizontal part 6b and a vertical part 6c based on a T. In this case, the transition region between the two parts 6b, 6c is not formed at a right angle, but has an inclined surface 6d, which preferably prevents the collection of air bubbles that may occur in the horizontal part 6b. The inclined surface 6d guides the air bubbles rising upwards.

[0034] In FIG. 3 a front view of a purification wall equipped with a feed device according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in schematic form.

[0035] In detail, Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the purification wall shown in Fig. 2. On the left and right of the purification wall 2, a number of feeders 11 are arranged, one above the other, which can feed the purification wall 2 on both sides of the weir 6 with inert gas or forming gas. Similarly, on the lower side of the purification wall 2, a number of feeders 11 are arranged next to each other, which can feed the purification wall 2 on both sides of the weir 6 with inert gas or forming gas. Furthermore, a pressure sensor 12' of the pressure measuring device 12 and a temperature sensor 13' of the temperature measuring device 13 are arranged, so that the pressure and temperature in the gap 5 can be measured for checking and, if necessary, indicated to an operator. The pressure measuring device 12 and the temperature measuring device 13 are connected to a control device 10, which controls the supply of protective fluid to the weir 6 depending on the measured values.

[0036] In FIG. 4, a three-dimensional view of a dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in schematic form.

[0037] In detail, Fig. 4 shows the distributor 14. The distributor 14 has a passage or line 20 which is connected to a protective fluid supply device capable of supplying the passage or line 20 with protective fluid. The distributor 14 further has two outlets 21, 22, the mutual spacing of which is set in such a way that the outlets 21, 22 can supply the protective fluid to opposite sides of the weir 6 in a particularly uniform manner. The outlets 21, 22 are formed in the upper region as recesses in an otherwise flat surface which runs along the edges of the weir 6.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows in schematic form a three-dimensional view of a purification wall in the region of the bottom of a vessel according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0039] In detail, FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the device 1 in the region of the purification wall 2 in the region of the bottom of the tank 3. The protective fluid is supplied to each distribution device 14 via a supply device 11 in the form of a nozzle. The distribution device 14 also distributes the protective fluid as uniformly as possible on both sides of the weir 6 in order to protect the weir 6, i.e. to prevent oxidation of the weir 6. Thus, for example, 2 to 5, in particular 3 to 4 nozzles per meter can be arranged in the horizontal direction, and 3 to 7, in particular 4 to 5 nozzles per meter in the vertical direction. The cross section of the nozzles is preferably circular, but can also be angular, for example square or rectangular, depending on the circumstances. As protective fluid, gas can be used, which is supplied by the protective fluid supply device into the gap 5 at 5 l / min to 50 l / min. This amount is adapted accordingly to the given measured values ​​of the pressure measuring device 12 and / or the temperature measuring device 13 in order to create the desired overpressure in the gap.

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates the steps of a method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates steps in a method for manufacturing an apparatus for melting and refining glass.

[0042] In this case, the method includes the following steps:

[0043] In a first step S1, a vessel for producing a glass melt is prepared with at least a set height and a set width.

[0044] In another step S2, a refining wall is prepared, which extends substantially in the lateral direction of the tank and has a height smaller than the height of the tank, and has two walls forming a gap, in which a weir is arranged to form an overflow edge of the glass melt, and a protective fluid supply device is provided that is fluidly connected to the gap and is configured to supply a protective fluid that protects the weir into the gap at an excess pressure compared to the surroundings of the tank.

[0045] In summary, at least one of the embodiments of the present invention provides the following advantages: -Easy and inexpensive to implement -Easy and inexpensive to manufacture -Reliable protection of the barrier against oxidation -Easy and reliable glass production -Flexible production of different glasses on a single machine -Fast and cheap production of different glasses Enable at least one of the following:

[0046] Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1 device 2. Refining Wall 3 tanks 4a, 4b Wall 5 Gap 6 Weir 6a Upper edge of the weir 6b Horizontal part of the weir 6c Vertical part of the weir 6d slope 7 Protective fluid supply device 8 Cover 9. Gap 10 Control device 11 Feeding device 12 Pressure measuring device 12' Pressure Sensor 13 Temperature measuring device 13' Temperature Sensor 14 Distribution device 20 passages / ducts 21,22 Outflow 100 Horizontal 101 Extension 200 Refining Wall Height 300 Tank height 301 Tank width 400 Horizontal area below the refining wall 401 Area extending perpendicular to the refining wall on the side

Claims

1. An apparatus (1) for melting and refining glass, said apparatus (1) comprising: A vessel (3) for producing a glass melt, said vessel having at least a set height (300) and a set width (301); a refining wall (2) extending substantially in the transverse direction (100) of the vessel (3) and having a height (200) smaller than the height (300) of the vessel (3), the refining wall (2) having two walls (4a, 4b) forming a gap (5), in which a weir (6) forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged; having a protective fluid supply device (7) is arranged in fluid connection with the gap (5), the protective fluid supply device (7) being configured to supply a protective fluid for protecting the weir (6) into the gap at an excess pressure compared to the surroundings of the tank (3) at least during the operation of the device (1); Device (1).

2. one or more covers (8) are arranged on the purification wall (2), the covers (8) having a settable number of gaps (9) and / or a gap (9) is formed between at least two adjacent covers (8); 2. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. The protective fluid is provided in gas form.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The gas is provided in the form of an inert gas and / or in the form of a forming gas, 4. The apparatus of claim 3.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen and / or a noble gas.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the forming gas contains 0 to 20 volume percent hydrogen.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the forming gas contains 0.5 to 10 volume percent hydrogen.

8. at least one pressure measuring device (12) having at least one pressure sensor (12') arranged, the pressure measuring device (12) being adapted to measure the pressure of the protective fluid in the gap; and / or a temperature measuring device (13) having at least one temperature sensor (13') arranged to measure the temperature of the weir (6) in the gap (5); 8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. a control device (10) configured to control the inflow of the protective fluid to a predefinable value based on the pressure measured by the pressure measuring device (12) and / or the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device (13); 9. The apparatus of claim 8.

10. the protective fluid supply device (7) comprises a plurality of supply devices (11) arranged vertically (401) at the sides of the purification wall (2) and / or arranged below the purification wall (2) (400) and fluidly connected to the gap (5), for supplying the protective fluid to the gap (5); 10. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. the supply device (11) is configured such that it supplies the protective fluid to two sides of the weir (6), 11. The apparatus of claim 10.

12. The plurality of supply devices (11) are symmetrically arranged on the extension portion (100, 101) of the weir (6).

12. The apparatus of claim 11.

13. A plurality of the supply devices (11) are arranged on two sides of the weir (6) in an extension (100, 101) of the weir (6) in one direction (100, 101) and are capable of supplying the protective fluid to the two sides of the weir (6) via at least one distribution device (14).

12. The apparatus of claim 11.

14. The plurality of feeding devices (11) are arranged such that the plurality of feeding devices (11) are staggered along two sides of the weir (6).

14. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 13.

15. said weir (6) has at its upper edge (6a) a substantially T-shaped cross section with a horizontal portion (6b) and a vertical portion (6c), and at the transition between the two portions (6b, 6c) there is arranged at least one inclined surface (6d) providing an angle between the two portions (6b, 6c) greater than 90 degrees; 15. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. The weir (6) is at least partially made of a refractory metal.

16. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the refractory metal is molybdenum or tungsten.

18. A method for manufacturing an apparatus (1) for melting and refining glass, said method comprising the steps of: - providing (S1) a vessel (3) for producing a glass melt with at least a set height (300) and a set width (301); - providing (S2) a refining wall (2) extending substantially in the transverse direction (100) of said vessel (3) and having a height (200) smaller than said height (300) of said vessel (3), said refining wall (2) having two walls (4a; 4b) forming a gap (5) in which a weir (6) forming an overflow edge of the glass melt is arranged; having providing a protection fluid supply device (7) in fluid communication with the gap (5) and configured to supply a protection fluid for protecting the weir (6) into the gap at an excess pressure relative to the surroundings of the tank (3), at least during the operation of the device (1); method.

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