Glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method

Abstract

This glass manufacturing apparatus includes: a reactor for generating at least H2 gas through the decomposition of NH3 gas; and a burner for forming a flame inside a glass melting furnace by burning combustible gas and combustion-supporting gas which include H2 gas generated in the reactor.

Description

Glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a glass manufacturing apparatus and a glass manufacturing method.

[0002] The glass manufacturing apparatus includes a burner that generates a flame inside a glass melting furnace. The burner generates the flame by burning a combustible gas and a combustion-supporting gas. The combustible gas is, for example, natural gas. The natural gas is CH ４ The flame heats the glass raw materials and the molten glass obtained by melting the glass raw materials.

[0003] CO from the glass melting furnace ２ In order to reduce gas emissions, H is used as a flammable gas. ２ The use of CO2 from general industrial furnaces is also being considered. ２ In order to reduce gas emissions, NH3 was used as a flammable gas. ３ The use of NH gas has also been considered (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1). ３ The gas is H ２ Compared to gas, it can be liquefied easily and is easy to transport. ３ The gas is H ２ Compared to gas, it has a lower flame temperature and a slower burning rate.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-114242

[0005] Narimasa Hattori, "Introduction to the Development of Ammonia Combustion Technology for Decarbonization of Industrial Furnaces," [online], October 2022, [Retrieved October 23, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / chugai.co.jp / wp / wp-content / uploads / 2022 / 10 / 2210giroku.pdf>

[0006] In Non-Patent Document 1, under limited conditions, NH ３ It is described that the temperature inside the furnace can be raised to 1200°C by burning the gas. However, the temperature inside the furnace of a glass melting furnace is usually about 1500°C. Therefore, NH4 has been used as a combustible gas for a glass melting furnace up to now. ３The use of gas was not considered.

[0007] The present disclosure uses NH as a combustible gas. ３ A glass manufacturing apparatus and a glass manufacturing method using gas are provided.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a glass manufacturing apparatus is provided. ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ a reactor for producing gas, and H produced in the reactor ２ and a burner that forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace by burning a combustible gas containing the gas and a combustion-supporting gas.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, NH ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ The gas is generated and the generated H ２ The combustible gas containing the gas and the combustion-supporting gas are burned in a burner, whereby the glass raw material can be melted by the combustion heat.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a glass manufacturing apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a glass manufacturing apparatus according to a modified example. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a change in enthalpy ΔH. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a heat balance in a glass melting furnace. FIG. 5 is a table showing the heat balance according to Examples 1 to 9. FIG. 6 is a table showing the heat balance according to Examples 10 to 18. FIG. 7 is a table showing the relationship between the combustion type, the calorific value, and H ２ 1 is a table showing an example of a relationship between the O concentration and the temperature. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first heat regenerator and a second heat regenerator. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first heat regenerator and a second heat regenerator. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first heat regenerator and a second heat regenerator. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a first heat regenerator and a second heat regenerator. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a recuperator. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus including a recuperator.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description may be omitted. In the specification, the symbol "to" indicating a range of values ​​means that the values ​​before and after it are included as the lower and upper limits.

[0012] A glass manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 . The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a glass melting furnace 10. The glass melting furnace 10 contains glass raw materials and molten glass obtained by melting the glass raw materials. After being removed from the glass melting furnace 10, the molten glass is formed into a desired shape and slowly cooled. In this manner, a glass product is obtained.

[0013] The glass frit is prepared by mixing a plurality of materials. The glass frit may contain a fining agent. The glass frit may contain glass cullet in order to recycle the glass. The glass frit may be a powder raw material or a granulated raw material obtained by granulating the powder raw material. The glass frit is determined depending on the composition of the glass product.

[0014] The glass melting furnace 10 is made of refractory bricks. Examples of refractory bricks include electroformed zirconia bricks, electroformed alumina bricks, electroformed alumina-zirconia bricks, electroformed AZS (Al-Zr-Si) bricks, dense-fired bricks, etc. The glass melting furnace 10 may be made of multiple types of refractory bricks.

[0015] The temperature inside the glass melting furnace 10 is preferably higher than 1200°C, more preferably 1300°C or higher, and further preferably 1500°C or higher, in order to melt the glass raw materials. From the viewpoint of the heat resistance of the firebricks, the temperature inside the glass melting furnace 10 is preferably 2500°C or lower, and more preferably 2000°C or lower.

[0016] The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a burner 20. The burner 20 generates a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. The flame heats the glass frit and the molten glass. The glass frit is added from above to the liquid surface of the molten glass, forming a layer on at least a portion of the liquid surface. The glass frit gradually melts into the molten glass. Although only one burner 20 is shown in FIG. 1 , there are usually multiple burners 20.

[0017] Glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may also use a plurality of electrodes (not shown) as a heat source. The plurality of electrodes apply an AC voltage to the molten glass, thereby electrically heating the molten glass. In this case, the molten glass generates heat. Glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may also use an electric heater (not shown) as a heat source. The electric heater generates heat itself. Glass manufacturing apparatus 1 is only required to include at least burner 20 as a heat source.

[0018] The burner 20 forms a flame by burning a combustible gas and a combustion-supporting gas. In this embodiment, NH ３ Gas (more specifically, NH ３ H obtained by decomposition of gas ２ gas) is used. ３ By using gas, ４ Compared to using gas, CO ２ The amount of gas generated and CO ２ Gas emissions can be reduced.

[0019] At least a part of the combustible gas is NH ３ Natural gas can be used in combination with CH ４ Since natural gas is the main component, the less natural gas used, the better. ２ From the viewpoint of reducing the amount of gas generated, the content is preferably 0 to 50% by volume, more preferably 0 to 25% by volume, and even more preferably 0% by volume.

[0020] NH ３ The gas is H ２ Compared to gas, it can be liquefied easily and is easy to transport.３ The gas is H ２ The flame temperature is lower and the combustion rate is slower than that of gas. Therefore, the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a reactor 30. The reactor 30 is a reactor for NH ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ Produces gas: NH ３ The decomposition of the gas is NH ３ Also known as gas cracking. ３ The decomposition of gas is expressed by the following formula (1): (1) NH ３ +46.2 [kJ / mol] → 1 / 2N ２ +3 / 2H ２ .

[0021] From the above formula (1), NH ３ It can be seen that the decomposition of gas is an endothermic reaction. ２ Gas and H ２ The endothermic reaction reactant (NH ３ An example of the change in enthalpy ΔH (kJ / mol) is shown in Figure 3. As is clear from Figure 3, the product of the endothermic reaction (N ２ Gas and H ２ When a mixture of gases is burned, the endothermic reactant (NH ３ It is possible to obtain a larger heat of combustion than by burning a gas (gas). The heat values ​​shown in Figures 3 and 5 to 7 are calculated assuming that the energy of each substance at 25°C is zero.

[0022] The burner 20 is used to burn the H produced in the reactor 30. ２ A flame is formed inside the glass melting furnace 10 by burning the combustible gas containing NH ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ The gas is generated and the generated H ２ The combustible gas containing the gas and the combustion-supporting gas are combusted, thereby obtaining a large amount of combustion heat, which can be used to melt the glass raw materials.

[0023] NH ３ When the gas decomposition rate is 100%, that is, NH ３All of the gas is N ２ Gas and H ２ When decomposed into gases, N ２ Gas: 25% by volume, H ２ A mixture of gases containing 75% by volume of each of the gases is produced. ２ Therefore, if this mixed gas is supplied to the burner 20, it is possible to use a hydrogen combustion burner as the burner 20. From the viewpoint of using a hydrogen combustion burner, ３ The gas decomposition rate is preferably 80% to 100%, and more preferably 90% to 100%.

[0024] NH ３ If the gas decomposition rate is 50%, i.e., NH ３ 50% of the gas is N ２ Gas and H ２ When decomposed into gases, NH ３ Gas: 33.3% by volume, N ２ Gas: 16.7% by volume, H ２ A mixture gas containing 50.0% by volume of each of the gases is produced. The combustion rate of this mixture gas is CH ４ Therefore, if this mixed gas is supplied to the burner 20, it is possible to use a methane combustion burner as the burner 20. From the viewpoint of the conversion of a methane combustion burner, ３ The gas decomposition rate is preferably 20% or more and less than 80%.

[0025] Reactor 30 contains NH ３ A catalyst may be provided to improve the decomposition rate of the gas. The catalyst is, for example, a metal catalyst. The metal catalyst includes at least one of Ru (ruthenium), Ni (nickel), Co (cobalt), and Fe (iron). ３ By increasing the gas decomposition rate, it is also possible to reduce the size of the reactor 30 .

[0026] The combustible gas supplied from the reactor 30 to the burner 20 is at least H ２ It is sufficient to include gas, and N ２ However, N ２The gas may be separated and removed on the way from the reactor 30 to the burner 20. In addition, the combustible gas supplied from the reactor 30 to the burner 20 may contain undecomposed NH ３ It may include a gas.

[0027] The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace 10, and uses the recovered heat to generate NH ３ It is preferable to promote the decomposition of the gas. The exhaust gas includes a combustion gas. The combustion gas is a gas remaining after the combustion reaction of a combustible gas and a combustion-supporting gas. The combustible gas contains components that do not contribute to combustion, such as N ２ The combustion gas may also contain components that do not contribute to combustion, such as N ２ It may include a gas.

[0028] By recovering heat from the exhaust gas, the energy consumption rate of the molten glass can be reduced. The energy consumption rate is the amount of energy input from outside the system to produce one ton of molten glass. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first heat exchanger 31 as a heat recovery means. The first heat exchanger 31 is provided in the reactor 30. The first heat exchanger 31 converts NH 3 into NH 4 by heat exchange with the exhaust gas. ３ The first heat exchanger 31 heats the exhaust gas and NH ３ NH3 from exhaust gas without mixing gases ３ Heat is transferred to the gas. A device that serves both as the first heat exchanger 31 and the reactor 30 may be provided. Examples of such a device include a shell-and-tube type, a plate type, or a radiation type heat exchanger.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a second heat exchanger 32 and a third heat exchanger 33 as heat recovery means. The second heat exchanger 32 heats the heat medium by heat exchange with the exhaust gas. The second heat exchanger 32 transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the heat medium without mixing the exhaust gas with the heat medium. The heat medium may be gas or liquid. For example, air or steam is used as the gas. For example, molten salt or oil is used as the liquid. The third heat exchanger 33 is provided in the reactor 30 and converts NH 3 into NH 4 by heat exchange with the heat medium. ３The third heat exchanger 33 heats the gas. ３ NH3 from the heat transfer medium without mixing gases ３ Transfer heat to the gas.

[0030] As will be described in detail later, the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 preferably recovers heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace 10 and preheats the combustion-supporting gas using the recovered heat. By recovering heat from the exhaust gas, the energy consumption rate can be reduced. As the heat recovery means, a recuperator or a heat storage chamber, which will be described later, is used.

[0031] recovering heat from the exhaust gas to preheat the combustion-supporting gas; ３ If the temperature of the reaction of formula (1) is 400°C or higher, NH ３ More than 99% of the gas is decomposed. ３ The gas can be decomposed at low temperatures. Therefore, after recovering heat from the exhaust gas to preheat the combustion-supporting gas, NH ３ The heat for decomposing the gas may be recovered from the exhaust gas.

[0032] The temperature of the reactor 30 is ３ From the viewpoint of improving the gas decomposition rate and decomposition rate, the temperature is preferably 400° C. or higher, and more preferably 500° C. or higher. From the viewpoint of the heat resistance of the reactor 30, the temperature of the reactor 30 is preferably 1500° C. or lower, more preferably 1300° C. or lower, and even more preferably 1200° C. or lower.

[0033] Next, an example of heat balance in the glass melting furnace 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 . The input heat amount Q1 is the amount of heat input from outside the system of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 into the system, and is the amount of heat generated by the burner 20 combusting a combustible gas and a combustion-supporting gas. The consumed heat amount Q2 includes the amount of heat consumed in melting the glass raw materials, the amount of heat carried by the molten glass from the inside of the glass melting furnace 10 to the outside, and the amount of heat consumed to maintain the furnace temperature of the glass melting furnace 10. The glass melting furnace 10 loses heat to the outside air. The exhaust heat amount Q3 is the amount of heat carried by the exhaust gas from the inside of the glass melting furnace 10 to the outside. The exhaust gas includes combustion gas. The recovered heat amount Q4 is the amount of heat returned to the glass melting furnace 10 out of the exhaust heat amount Q3. The released heat amount Q5 is the amount of heat discarded out of the system of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 without being returned to the glass melting furnace 10 out of the exhaust heat amount Q3.

[0034] The sum (Q1+Q4) of the input heat quantity Q1 and the recovered heat quantity Q4 is the heat quantity input to the glass melting furnace 10. The sum (Q1+Q4) of the input heat quantity Q1 and the recovered heat quantity Q4 is equal to the sum (Q2+Q3) of the consumed heat quantity Q2 and the exhaust heat quantity Q3. Q1, Q3, Q4 and Q5 when Q2 is set to 100 are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Note that Q2 is set to 100 because Q2 is determined by the type of combustible gas, the type of combustion-supporting gas, NH ３ Whether or not gas is decomposed, and NH ３ This is because it does not depend on the gas decomposition rate. The smaller Q1, the smaller the energy consumption rate and the better the energy efficiency.

[0035] The input heat quantity Q1 was calculated based on the combustion formula and higher heating value shown in Figure 7. The exhaust heat quantity Q3 was calculated from the heat capacity and temperature difference of the exhaust gas, assuming that it is equal to the heat quantity released in the process of cooling the exhaust gas from 1500°C to 25°C. The temperature inside the glass melting furnace 10 is usually about 1500°C. The exhaust gas was assumed to consist only of combustion gas. The recovered heat quantity Q4 was calculated by dividing the heat quantity used to preheat the combustion-supporting gas by the amount of NH ３ The amount of heat used to heat the gas and decompose it is included. The combustion-supporting gas is, for example, air, oxygen-enriched air, or pure oxygen gas.

[0036] Air used as a combustion-supporting gas is usually preheated to about 1200°C in a regenerator. On the other hand, pure oxygen gas used as a combustion-supporting gas is usually preheated to about 800°C in a recuperator. The regenerator is mainly made of bricks, while the recuperator is mainly made of metal. The heat-resistant temperature of the recuperator is lower than that of the regenerator. Therefore, the preheat temperature of pure oxygen gas is lower than that of air.

[0037] The amount of heat required to preheat the air was assumed to be equal to the amount of heat required to heat the air from 25°C to 1200°C, and was calculated from the heat capacity of the air and the temperature difference. The amount of heat required to preheat the pure oxygen gas was assumed to be equal to the amount of heat required to heat the pure oxygen gas from 25°C to 800°C, and was calculated from the heat capacity of the pure oxygen gas and the temperature difference. It was assumed that there was no heat loss during the process of preheating the air or pure oxygen gas.

[0038] NH ３ The amount of heat used to heat the gas is NH ３ Assume that the amount of heat required to heat the gas from 25°C to 500°C is equal to the amount of heat required to heat the NH ３ Calculated from the heat capacity of the gas and the temperature difference. ３ If the gas is heated to about 500°C, NH ３ More than 99% of the gas is decomposed. ３ The amount of heat used to decompose the gas is NH ３ The calculation was based on the gas decomposition rate and the endothermic heat of formula (1). ３ The heat loss occurring during the process of heating and decomposing the gas was assumed to be zero.

[0039] The calculated amount of released heat Q5 is assumed to be equal to the difference (Q3-Q4) between the amount of exhaust heat Q3 and the amount of recovered heat Q4. The recovered heat Q4 is the amount of heat returned to the glass melting furnace 10 out of the amount of exhaust heat Q3. The released heat Q5 is the amount of heat discarded outside the system of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 without being returned to the glass melting furnace 10 out of the amount of exhaust heat Q3. Therefore, Q5 is equal to the difference (Q3-Q4).

[0040] H in combustion gas ２ The O concentration (vol %) is calculated by the combustion method shown in FIG. ２When air is used as the combustion supporting gas, the air is N ２ Gas: 79% by volume, O ２ The gas content was assumed to be 21% by volume.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in Examples 2 and 11, unlike Examples 1 and 12, CH 4 was used as the combustible gas. ４ H instead of gas ２ Use gas. ２ When gas is burned, H ２ Gas and O ２ The gas reacts to form H ２ O gas is generated and CO ２ No gas is generated. However, CO ２ Since no gas is generated, the H ２ This is particularly noticeable when pure oxygen gas is used as the combustion-supporting gas. When pure oxygen gas is used, the H ２ Theoretically, the O gas concentration can be 100% by volume.

[0042] The glass raw materials may release gases during melting. For example, when the glass raw materials contain carbonates such as calcium carbonate or magnesium carbonate, the glass raw materials release CO ２ Therefore, the H ２ The O gas concentration is actually less than 100% by volume.

[0043] If the H in the furnace atmosphere ２ If the O gas concentration is too high, NaOH gas derived from the Na contained in the molten glass is likely to be generated, which may corrode furnace materials such as bricks. ２ If the O gas concentration is too high, the water concentration in the molten glass will be too high, which may result in poor glass quality.

[0044] If air is used instead of pure oxygen gas as the combustion-supporting gas, the H ２ In this case, the N gas concentration, which accounts for most of the air, can be reduced. ２Since gas does not contribute to combustion, a large amount of air is used and a large amount of exhaust gas is discharged from the glass melting furnace 10. In order to recover heat from the large amount of exhaust gas, a regenerator is provided next to the glass melting furnace 10.

[0045] On the other hand, if pure oxygen gas is used as the combustion supporting gas, the combustion supporting gas becomes N ２ Therefore, the amount of exhaust gas discharged is small and a heat regenerator is not required, which increases the degree of freedom in designing the glass melting furnace 10. In addition, N ２ This eliminates the need to heat gas unnecessarily, and allows the glass to be heated efficiently using the heat of combustion. Ｘ Gas generation can be suppressed.

[0046] However, if pure oxygen gas is used as the combustion-supporting gas, the H in the furnace atmosphere is reduced compared to when air is used. ２ When oxygen-enriched air is used as the combustion-supporting gas instead of pure oxygen gas, the H ２ Oxygen-enriched air is a mixture of pure oxygen gas and air, and has a higher oxygen gas concentration than air.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in Examples 3 and 12, CH 4 was used as the combustible gas. ４ H instead of gas ２ Gas and N ２ A mixed gas containing H gases in a ratio of 3:1 is used. ２ Gas N ２ By diluting with gas, the H in the furnace atmosphere was reduced compared to Examples 2 and 11. ２ The O gas concentration is low. ２ Gas N ２ Dilution with gas increases the amount of heat released Q5 and the amount of heat input Q1 compared to Examples 2 and 11.

[0048] In Examples 4 and 13, CH was used as the flammable gas. ４ NH instead of gas ３ Use gas: NH ３ When gas is burned, H ２ Gas and N ２Similar to burning a mixture of CO and CO2 in a 3:1 ratio. ２ In Examples 4 and 13, the amount of H in the furnace atmosphere was smaller than in Examples 2 and 11. ２ However, in Examples 4 and 13, the amount of heat released Q5 increases and the amount of heat input Q1 increases compared to Examples 2 and 11.

[0049] As is clear from Examples 1 to 4 and Examples 10 to 13, conventionally, H ２ It has been difficult to achieve both a reduction in the O gas concentration and a reduction in the input heat quantity Q1 (i.e., improvement in fuel efficiency).

[0050] In addition, H in the furnace atmosphere ２ The O gas concentration is mainly determined by the types of combustible gas and combustion-supporting gas, although it also depends on the type of glass raw material. ２ The O gas concentration is adopted as a parameter to be controlled.

[0051] H in combustion gas ２ The O gas concentration is preferably 75% by volume or less, more preferably 67% by volume or less, from the viewpoint of the quality of the glass product and the corrosion of the furnace material. ４ Gas and O ２ Molten glass is produced by burning gas (pure oxygen gas), and H ２ It has been confirmed that if the O gas concentration is 67% by volume or less, there are no problems with the quality of glass products or corrosion of furnace materials. ２ The O gas concentration was adjusted to the H in the combustion gas of the conventional glass products (Examples 1 and 10) in order to eliminate any difference in quality between the glass products. ２ It is preferable that the concentration of H in the combustion gas is close to that of O. ２ The O concentration is preferably 18% or more to eliminate any difference in quality from the conventional glass products (Examples 1 and 10).

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in Examples 5 to 9 and Examples 14 to 18, NH ３ The gas is heated and decomposed. ３Heat recovered from the exhaust gas is used for heating and decomposing the gas. Therefore, the recovered heat amount Q4 can be increased, and the released heat amount Q5 and the input heat amount Q1 can be reduced. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, ４ Gas or H ２ It is also possible to reduce the amount of heat released Q5 and the amount of heat input Q1 compared to when gas is used. ２ Not only can the O gas concentration be reduced, but the input heat quantity Q1 can also be reduced (i.e., fuel efficiency can be improved).

[0053] A first embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a first regenerator 90A and a second regenerator 90B will be described with reference to FIG. 8 . Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be mainly described below. The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a glass melting furnace 10, a first burner 20A, a second burner 20B, a reactor 30, a first regenerator 90A, and a second regenerator 90B. While the number of first regenerators 90A is one in FIG. 8 , it may be plural. Similarly, the number of second regenerators 90B, the number of first burners 20A, and the number of second burners 20B may be one or more. The combustion-supporting gas is preferably air or oxygen-enriched air.

[0054] The first burner 20A and the second burner 20B alternately form a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. In Fig. 8, the gas flow shown by the solid line indicates the gas flow when the first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. In Fig. 8, the gas flow shown by the dashed line indicates the gas flow when the second burner 20B forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. In Fig. 8, the white color of the open / close damper V means that the open / close damper V is opening the gas flow path, and the black color of the open / close damper V means that the open / close damper V is closing the gas flow path.

[0055] The first regenerator 90A recovers heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace 10 while the second burner 20B forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. The heat of the exhaust gas is accumulated in the hearth of the first regenerator 90A. The first regenerator 90A releases the previously recovered heat to preheat the combustion-sustaining gas while the first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. The first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10 by combusting the combustion-sustaining gas preheated in the first regenerator 90A and the combustible gas transformed in the reactor 30. The first burner 20A has a nozzle for injecting the combustible gas and a port for discharging the combustion-sustaining gas. The port discharges the exhaust gas into the first regenerator 90A while the second burner 20B forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10.

[0056] Similarly, the second regenerator 90B recovers heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace 10 while the first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. The heat of the exhaust gas is accumulated in the hearth of the second regenerator 90B. The second regenerator 90B releases the previously recovered heat to preheat the combustion-sustaining gas while the second burner 20B forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10. The second burner 20B forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10 by combusting the combustion-sustaining gas preheated in the second regenerator 90B and the combustible gas transformed in the reactor 30. The second burner 20B has a nozzle for injecting the combustible gas and a port for discharging the combustion-sustaining gas. The port discharges the exhaust gas into the second regenerator 90B while the first burner 20A forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10.

[0057] The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a first supply line 41, a second supply line 42, a third supply line 43, and a discharge line 51. The first supply line 41 supplies NH ３ The second supply line 42 supplies the H produced in the reactor 30. ２A combustible gas containing a gas is supplied from the reactor 30 to a burner (e.g., the first burner 20A or the second burner 20B). A third supply line 43 supplies a combustion-supporting gas to the burner (e.g., the first burner 20A or the second burner 20B). A discharge line 51 discharges exhaust gas from the inside of the glass melting furnace 10 to the outside.

[0058] The second supply line 42 alternately supplies flammable gas to the first burner 20A and the second burner 20B. The second supply line 42 includes, for example, a common line 42a and two individual lines 42b, 42c branching off from the downstream end of the common line 42a. An open / close damper V is provided midway along each of the two individual lines 42b, 42c. One individual line 42b sends flammable gas from the common line 42a to the first burner 20A. The other individual line 42c sends flammable gas from the common line 42a to the second burner 20B.

[0059] The third supply line 43 alternately supplies the combustion-sustaining gas to the first burner 20A and the second burner 20B. The third supply line 43 includes, for example, a common line 43a and two individual lines 43b, 43c branching off from the downstream end of the common line 43a. An open / close damper V is provided midway along each of the two individual lines 43b, 43c. One individual line 43b sends the combustion-sustaining gas from the common line 43a to the first burner 20A. The other individual line 43c sends the combustion-sustaining gas from the common line 43a to the second burner 20B.

[0060] The discharge line 51 discharges exhaust gas alternately from the first heat storage chamber 90A and the second heat storage chamber 90B. The discharge line 51 has two individual lines 51b, 51c and a common line 51a extending from the point where the downstream ends of the two individual lines 51b, 51c join. Open-close dampers V are provided midway along each of the two individual lines 51b, 51c. One individual line 51b sends exhaust gas from the first heat storage chamber 90A to the common line 51a. The other individual line 51c sends exhaust gas from the second heat storage chamber 90B to the common line 51a.

[0061] The common line 51a of the discharge line 51 sends the exhaust gas discharged from the first heat storage chamber 90A and the second heat storage chamber 90B to the first heat exchanger 31. The first heat exchanger 31 is provided in the reactor 30 and converts NH ３ The first heat exchanger 31 heats the exhaust gas and NH ３ NH3 from exhaust gas without mixing gases ３ The exhaust gas discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 is discharged through the exhaust line 51 to the outside of the system of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1. It is also possible to recover heat from the exhaust gas discharged to the outside of the system and use the recovered heat in another device.

[0062] The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is ３ Although a first heat exchanger 31 is provided as a recovery means for recovering heat for decomposing gas from the exhaust gas, a second heat exchanger 32 and a third heat exchanger 33 shown in Fig. 2 may be provided instead of the first heat exchanger 31. Also, the common line 51a may be omitted, and two individual lines 51b and 51c may send the exhaust gas to the first heat exchanger 31 or the second heat exchanger 32.

[0063] A second embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a first heat regenerator 90A and a second heat regenerator 90B will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 8 will be mainly described below. As shown in Fig. 9, the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a fourth supply line 45 in addition to the first supply line 41 and the second supply line 42. The fourth supply line 45 supplies NH ３ The gas is fed to the second feed line 42. The fourth feed line 45 feeds NH ３ The decomposition rate of the gas can be adjusted. For example, in the reactor 30, NH ３ Even if the gas decomposition rate is about 100%, undecomposed NH ３Gas can be supplied to first burner 20A and second burner 20B. In this embodiment, fourth supply line 45 is a bypass line that branches off from first supply line 41, bypasses reactor 30, and merges with second supply line 42, but it does not have to be a bypass line. In other words, fourth supply line 45 may be provided independently of first supply line 41 without branching off from first supply line 41.

[0064] A third embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a first heat regenerator 90A and a second heat regenerator 90B will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 8 will be mainly described below. As shown in Fig. 10, the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a separator 35. The separator 35 is provided in the second supply line 42 and separates N produced in the reactor 30. ２ The separator 35 has, for example, a separation membrane. ２ It allows gas to pass through and N ２ Before combustible gas and combustion-supporting gas are combusted by the first burner 20A or the second burner 20B, N ２ Gas can be removed. N that does not contribute to combustion ２ This eliminates the need to heat gas unnecessarily, and allows the glass to be heated efficiently using the heat of combustion. Ｘ Gas generation can be suppressed.

[0065] A fourth embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a first regenerator 90A and a second regenerator 90B will be described with reference to Fig. 11 . Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 8 will be mainly described below. As shown in Fig. 11 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a fourth supply line 45 and a separator 35. The fourth supply line 45 supplies NH 3 without passing through the reactor 30 and the separator 35. ３ The gas is sent to the second supply line 42 downstream of the separator 35 (closer to the burner than the separator 35). The fourth supply line 45 does not have to bypass the separator 35. However, if the fourth supply line 45 bypasses the separator 35, the separator 35 will be able to ２ NH with gas ３ Even if the gas is removed, undecomposed NH ３The fourth supply line 45 can supply gas to the first burner 20A and the second burner 20B. In this embodiment, the fourth supply line 45 is a bypass line that branches off from the first supply line 41, bypasses the reactor 30 and the separator 35, and joins the second supply line 42 downstream of the separator 35 (closer to the burner than the separator 35), but it does not have to be a bypass line. In other words, the fourth supply line 45 may be provided independently of the first supply line 41 without branching off from the first supply line 41.

[0066] A first embodiment of a glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a recuperator 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a glass melting furnace 10, a burner 20, a reactor 30, and a recuperator 60. Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 will be mainly described below.

[0067] The recuperator 60 preheats the combustion-supporting gas by heat exchange with the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace 10. The combustion-supporting gas is preferably pure oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air. The recuperator 60 transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the combustion-supporting gas without mixing the exhaust gas and the combustion-supporting gas. The heat recovered from the exhaust gas can be effectively utilized, thereby reducing the energy consumption rate.

[0068] Although the recuperator 60 is provided outside the glass melting furnace 10 in Fig. 12, it may be provided inside the glass melting furnace 10. One or more recuperators 60 (one in Fig. 12) are provided. The recuperator 60 is provided at a point where the third supply line 43 and the discharge line 51 intersect. The third supply line 43 supplies the combustion supporting gas preheated in the recuperator 60 to the burner 20. The burner 20 combusts the combustion supporting gas preheated in the recuperator 60 and the combustible gas transformed in the reactor 30, thereby forming a flame inside the glass melting furnace 10.

[0069] The exhaust gas discharged from the recuperator 60 is sent through the discharge line 51 to the first heat exchanger 31. The first heat exchanger 31 is provided in the reactor 30 and converts NH ３ The first heat exchanger 31 heats the exhaust gas and NH ３ NH3 from exhaust gas without mixing gases ３The exhaust gas discharged from the first heat exchanger 31 is discharged through the exhaust line 51 to the outside of the system of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1. It is also possible to recover heat from the exhaust gas discharged to the outside of the system and use the recovered heat in another device.

[0070] The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is ３ A first heat exchanger 31 is provided as a recovery means for recovering heat for decomposing gas from exhaust gas, but instead of the first heat exchanger 31, a second heat exchanger 32 and a third heat exchanger 33 shown in Figure 2 may be provided.

[0071] A second embodiment of the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 including a recuperator 60 will be described with reference to Fig. 13 . The glass manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a glass melting furnace 10, a burner 20, a reactor 30, and a recuperator 60. Differences from the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 12 will be mainly described below. As shown in Fig. 13 , the glass manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a fourth supply line 45 in addition to the first supply line 41 and the second supply line 42. The fourth supply line 45 supplies NH 3 without passing through the reactor 30. ３ The gas is fed to the second feed line 42. The fourth feed line 45 feeds NH ３ The decomposition rate of the gas can be adjusted. For example, in the reactor 30, NH ３ Even if the gas decomposition rate is about 100%, undecomposed NH ３ Gas may be supplied to the burner 20 .

[0072] When the combustion-supporting gas is pure oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air, the amount of H in the combustion gas is smaller than when the combustion-supporting gas is air. ２ When the recuperator 60 is used as the heat recovery means, pure oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air is usually used as the combustion supporting gas. Therefore, when the recuperator 60 is used as the heat recovery means, the H ２ From the viewpoint of reducing the O concentration, it is preferable that the separator 35 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is not provided midway along the second supply line 42.

[0073] The following supplementary notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments. [Supplementary Note 1] NH ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H２ a reactor for generating a gas; and ２ a burner provided in the reactor, the burner generating a flame inside the glass melting furnace by heat exchange with an exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace ... ３ The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first heat exchanger for heating a gas. [Supplementary note 3] A second heat exchanger provided in the reactor for heating a heat medium by heat exchange with an exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace; ３ and a third heat exchanger for heating the gas. [Supplementary Note 4] The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of Supplements 1 to 3, wherein the glass manufacturing apparatus has a first regenerator and a second regenerator, the burner has a first burner and a second burner that alternately form a flame inside the glass melting furnace, the first regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and the first regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion-supporting gas while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and the second regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and the second regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion-supporting gas while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace. [Appendix 5] The glass manufacturing apparatus according to Appendices 4, wherein the combustion supporting gas is air or oxygen-enriched air. [Appendix 6] The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3, comprising: a third supply line that supplies the combustion supporting gas to the burner; and a recuperator that is provided in the third supply line and that preheats the combustion supporting gas by heat exchange with exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace. [Appendix 7] The glass manufacturing apparatus according to Appendices 6, wherein the combustion supporting gas is pure oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air. [Appendix 8] H in the combustion gas combusted by the burner ２The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, wherein the O gas concentration is 18% by volume to 75% by volume. ３ a first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying NH ３ and a fourth supply line for supplying a gas to the second supply line. ３ a first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying the N2 generated in the reactor to the burner. ２ and a separator for removing at least a portion of the gas. ３ a first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying the N2 generated in the reactor to the burner. ２ a separator for removing at least a portion of the gas; and ３ and a fourth supply line that supplies the gas to a portion of the second supply line downstream of the separator. ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ generating a gas, and ２ A method for producing glass, comprising: burning a combustible gas containing a gas and a combustion-supporting gas with a burner to form a flame inside a glass melting furnace. [Appendix 13] Heat is recovered from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace, and the recovered heat is used to heat the NH ３ The gas is heated to ３ The glass manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein the recovered heat is used to decompose the NH ３ The NH ３The glass manufacturing method according to claim 13, wherein the gas is heated. [Additional feature 15] H in the combustion gas burned by the burner ２ 15. The method for producing glass according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the O gas concentration is 18% by volume to 75% by volume. [Appendix 16] The glass manufacturing method according to any one of Appendices 12 to 15, wherein the combustion-sustaining gas is supplied to the burners, wherein a first burner and a second burner alternately form a flame inside the glass-melting furnace, wherein a first regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass-melting furnace while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass-melting furnace, and wherein the first regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion-sustaining gas while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass-melting furnace, and wherein the second regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass-melting furnace while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass-melting furnace, and wherein the second regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion-sustaining gas, and the combustion-sustaining gas is air or oxygen-enriched air. [Appendix 17] The glass manufacturing method according to any one of Appendices 12 to 16, wherein the combustion-sustaining gas is supplied to the burner, and the combustion-sustaining gas is preheated by heat exchange with exhaust gas discharged from the glass-melting furnace, and the combustion-sustaining gas is oxygen or oxygen-enriched air.

[0074] The glass manufacturing apparatus and glass manufacturing method according to the present disclosure have been described above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and combinations are possible within the scope of the claims. These changes also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-181582 filed with the Japan Patent Office on October 23, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0076] 1 Glass manufacturing apparatus 10 Glass melting furnace 20 Burner 30 Reactor

Claims

1. NH ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ A reactor for generating a gas, and H generated in the reactor ２ and a burner that forms a flame inside a glass melting furnace by burning a combustible gas containing a gas and a combustion supporting gas.

2. A reactor is provided in which the NH ３ 10. The glass manufacturing apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a first heat exchanger for heating the gas.

3. A second heat exchanger for heating a heat medium by heat exchange with the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace; and a second heat exchanger for heating the NH ３ and a third heat exchanger for heating the gas.

4. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the glass manufacturing apparatus has a first heat storage chamber and a second heat storage chamber, the burners have a first burner and a second burner which alternately form a flame inside the glass melting furnace, the first heat storage chamber recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, the first heat storage chamber releases heat to preheat the combustion-supporting gas while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, the second heat storage chamber recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and the second heat storage chamber releases heat to preheat the combustion-supporting gas while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace.

5. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the combustion supporting gas is air or oxygen-enriched air.

6. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a third supply line for supplying the combustion supporting gas to the burner; and a recuperator provided in the third supply line for preheating the combustion supporting gas by heat exchange with exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace.

7. The glass manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the combustion supporting gas is pure oxygen gas or oxygen-enriched air.

8. H in the combustion gas burned by the burner ２ The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the O gas concentration is 18 vol% to 75 vol%.

9. Said NH ３ a first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying NH ３ The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a fourth supply line that delivers a gas to the second supply line.

10. Said NH ３ A first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying the N2 generated in the reactor to the burner. ２ A separator for removing at least a portion of the gas.

11. Said NH ３ A first supply line for supplying a gas to the reactor; a second supply line for supplying the combustible gas generated in the reactor to the burner; and a second supply line for supplying the N2 generated in the reactor to the burner. ２ a separator for removing at least a portion of the gas; and ３ The glass manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a fourth supply line that delivers gas to a portion of the second supply line downstream of the separator.

12. N.H. ３ The decomposition of the gas produces at least H ２ generating a gas, and ２ A method for producing glass, comprising burning a combustible gas containing a gas and a combustion supporting gas with a burner to form a flame inside a glass melting furnace.

13. Recover heat from the exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace, and use the recovered heat to generate the NH ３ The gas is heated to produce the NH ３ The method of claim 12 , further comprising decomposing the gas.

14. The recovered heat is transferred to the NH ３ The NH ３ 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the gas is heated.

15. H in the combustion gas burned by the burner ２ The method for producing glass according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the O gas concentration is 18 vol% to 75 vol%.

16. The method for producing glass according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the combustion supporting gas is supplied to the burners, wherein a first burner and a second burner alternately form a flame inside the glass melting furnace, wherein a first heat regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the second burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and wherein the first heat regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion supporting gas while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, wherein a second heat regenerator recovers heat from exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace while the first burner forms a flame inside the glass melting furnace, and wherein the second heat regenerator releases heat to preheat the combustion supporting gas, and wherein the combustion supporting gas is air or oxygen-enriched air.

17. A method for producing glass according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the combustion-supporting gas is supplied to the burner, the combustion-supporting gas is preheated by heat exchange with exhaust gas discharged from the glass melting furnace, and the combustion-supporting gas is oxygen or oxygen-enriched air.