Clarification apparatus, methods for manufacturing glass articles, and tubular components

Abstract

The clarification device 3 of the present invention includes: a clarification tube 8, which is positioned horizontally and through which molten glass MG flows; and an exhaust pipe 9, which extends upward from the clarification tube 8 and is used to discharge air bubbles B in the molten glass MG to the outside of the clarification tube 8. The clarification device 3 has multiple exhaust pipes 9 arranged along the flow direction D of the molten glass MG in the clarification tube 8, and the exhaust pipes 9 arranged on the upstream side of the flow direction D are longer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a clarification apparatus for removing air bubbles from self-melting glass, a method for manufacturing glass articles including a clarification step performed using the clarification apparatus, and a tubular component for the clarification apparatus. Prior Technology

[0002] Glass articles, such as glass plates or glass tubes, are manufactured through the following steps: melting step, in which glass raw materials are melted to generate molten glass; clarification step, in which air bubbles are removed from the molten glass; homogenization step, in which the molten glass is stirred to homogenize it; and forming step, in which the molten glass is shaped into glass articles.

[0003] As an example, in the manufacturing process of the glass article, the clarification step is performed using the clarification apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0004] As shown in Figure 5, the clarification apparatus 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a clarification tube 200 positioned horizontally through which molten glass MG flows, and an exhaust pipe 300 extending upward from the clarification tube 200 to discharge air bubbles B from the molten glass MG out of the clarification tube 200. The exhaust pipe 300 is disposed at multiple locations (two locations in the example shown) along the flow direction D of the molten glass MG. The clarification tube 200 or the exhaust pipe 300 contains a precious metal such as platinum or a platinum alloy.

[0005] When performing the clarification step using the clarification apparatus 100, the molten glass MG flowing inside the clarification tube is heated by energizing the clarification tube 200, and bubbles B are removed from the molten glass MG via the exhaust pipe 300. Furthermore, although not disclosed in Patent Document 1, in order to promote the growth and buoyancy of bubbles B in the molten glass MG, a clarifying agent (e.g., SnO2) is typically added to the glass raw material. Prior art literature Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-50001 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0008] To prevent molten glass MG from flowing out of the vent pipe 300, the opening 300a (the outlet of bubble B) formed at the upper end of each vent pipe 300 is positioned above the liquid surface of the molten glass MG in the melting furnace (not shown in Figure 5) where the melting step is performed. However, in this case, there is also a possibility that bubble-like glass (bubble-like glass formed on the molten glass MG inside the vent pipe 300) may be ejected from the vent pipe 300. Specifically, the more upstream the vent pipe 300 is located in the flow direction D of the molten glass MG, the easier it is for bubble-like glass to be ejected. This is because the pressure of the molten glass MG is higher in the upstream side of the clarifying pipe 200, and therefore the liquid surface of the molten glass MG is higher. Therefore, even when the pipe axis of the clarifying pipe 200 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, as shown in Figure 5, the more upstream the vent pipe 300 is, the easier it is for bubble-like glass to be ejected.

[0009] If bubble-shaped glass is ejected from the exhaust pipe 300, the surrounding bricks (not shown in Figure 5) will be eroded by the bubble-shaped glass. This will result in brick wear and tear, ultimately leading to the collapse or breakage of the exhaust pipe 300. Therefore, a technology is needed to prevent bubble-shaped glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe 300.

[0010] In view of the above, the technical problem to be solved is to prevent bubbly glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe when using a clarification device equipped with an exhaust pipe to remove air bubbles from molten glass. [Methods for solving the problem]

[0011] The first clarification apparatus for solving the aforementioned problem includes: a clarification tube, positioned horizontally, through which molten glass flows; and an exhaust pipe, extending upward from the clarification tube and used to discharge air bubbles in the molten glass out of the clarification tube. The clarification apparatus is configured such that exhaust pipes are arranged at multiple points along the flow direction of the molten glass, with the exhaust pipes located upstream of the flow direction being longer.

[0012] In the first clarification apparatus, regarding the multiple vent pipes disposed at various points in the clarification tube, the vent pipes located upstream of the molten glass flow direction are the longest. As described above, by making the upstream vent pipe longer where the molten glass pressure is higher, it is possible to prevent the pressure of the molten glass from causing bubbly glass to be ejected from the vent pipe.

[0013] The second clarification device is incorporated into the first clarification device and is configured such that the axis of the clarification tube is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, and the clarification tube forms an upward slope from the upstream side of the flow direction toward the downstream side.

[0014] In the second refining apparatus, the refining tube forms an upward slope from the upstream side to the downstream side in the flow direction. This results in a higher pressure of the molten glass on the upstream side compared to a horizontally positioned refining tube, increasing the risk of bubbly glass ejection from the vent pipe on the upstream side. However, in this case, the vent pipe positioned further upstream is also longer, thereby preventing the ejection of bubbly glass. Therefore, in the second refining apparatus, an effect that prevents the ejection of bubbly glass can be appropriately achieved.

[0015] The third clarification device is configured in the first or second clarification device as follows: the pipe axis of the exhaust pipe extends parallel to the vertical direction.

[0016] In the third clarification device, the axis of the exhaust pipe extends parallel to the vertical direction. This provides the following advantages. If the axis of the exhaust pipe is inclined relative to the vertical direction, and bubbly glass is ejected from the exhaust pipe, only the bricks on the inclined side of the exhaust pipe's support structure are susceptible to erosion by the bubbly glass. This could lead to the exhaust pipe collapsing. On the other hand, if the axis of the exhaust pipe extends parallel to the vertical direction, even if bubbly glass is ejected from the exhaust pipe, erosion of only specific brick locations by the bubbly glass can be prevented. Based on the above, the collapse of the exhaust pipe can be reliably prevented in the third clarification device.

[0017] The fourth clarification device is configured in any one of the first to third clarification devices as follows: the exhaust pipe includes a large-diameter section with a relatively large inner diameter and a small-diameter section with a relatively small inner diameter, the large-diameter section constitutes the lower end of the exhaust pipe connected to the clarification pipe, and the small-diameter section constitutes the upper end of the exhaust pipe with an opening formed thereon.

[0018] In the fourth clarification device, the large-diameter section connected to the clarification tube increases the capacity of the bubble-like glass that can be contained in the exhaust pipe, thus better preventing the bubble-like glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe. Furthermore, the large-diameter section stabilizes the exhaust pipe's posture, preventing it from collapsing and breaking. Moreover, by forming the upper end of the exhaust pipe with a small-diameter section, the opening of the exhaust pipe is inevitably smaller, making it easier to prevent foreign objects from entering through the opening. Additionally, the presence of the small-diameter section suppresses the surface area of ​​the exhaust pipe, making it difficult to cool; therefore, even if bubble rupture is accelerated, it is still better to prevent the bubble-like glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe.

[0019] The fifth clarification device is any one of the first to fourth clarification devices, and is configured as follows: it includes a support brick, which supports the clarification tube in a manner that surrounds the clarification tube, and an exhaust pipe passes through the support brick.

[0020] In the fifth clarification device, the exhaust pipe is lengthened by the amount that it penetrates the support brick. Therefore, it is possible to better prevent bubbly glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe.

[0021] The sixth clarification device is configured in the fifth clarification device as follows: it includes a retaining brick, wherein the retaining brick retains a portion of the vent pipe that protrudes upward from the supporting brick, and at least a portion of the retaining brick is resistant to corrosion of the molten glass.

[0022] In the sixth clarification apparatus, at least a portion of the retaining brick is resistant to corrosion by the molten glass. Therefore, even if the bubbly glass is ejected from the vent pipe, the retaining brick is not easily corroded. This reliably prevents the collapse of the vent pipe.

[0023] The seventh clarification device is any one of the first to sixth clarification devices, and is configured as follows: it includes a surrounding member that surrounds the upper end of an exhaust pipe with an opening formed thereon.

[0024] In the seventh clarification device, by surrounding the upper end of the exhaust pipe with a surrounding member, foreign objects can be reliably prevented from entering through the opening of the exhaust pipe.

[0025] The eighth clarification apparatus for solving the aforementioned problem includes: a clarification tube, positioned horizontally, through which molten glass flows; and an exhaust pipe, extending upward from the clarification tube and used to discharge air bubbles in the molten glass out of the clarification tube. The clarification apparatus is configured such that the exhaust pipe includes a large-diameter portion with a relatively large inner diameter and a small-diameter portion with a relatively small inner diameter. The large-diameter portion forms the lower end of the exhaust pipe connected to the clarification tube, and the small-diameter portion forms the upper end of the exhaust pipe with an opening formed thereon.

[0026] In the eighth clarification apparatus, the presence of the large-diameter portion of the exhaust pipe connected to the clarification tube increases the capacity of the bubble-like glass that can be contained within the exhaust pipe, thus preventing the bubble-like glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe. Furthermore, the presence of the small-diameter portion of the exhaust pipe suppresses its surface area, making it difficult to cool, thereby promoting bubble rupture. Even so, it is still possible to prevent the bubble-like glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe.

[0027] A method for manufacturing glass articles to solve the aforementioned problem includes a clarification step, in which bubbles in molten glass filling a clarification tube are discharged from the clarification tube through an exhaust pipe to the outside of the clarification tube using any one of the first to eighth clarification devices.

[0028] According to the manufacturing method of this glass article, the same effects described above regarding the first to eighth clarifying devices can be obtained.

[0029] The tubular component used to solve the aforementioned problem is a tubular component for a clarification device, comprising: a clarification tube, positioned horizontally, through which molten glass flows; and an exhaust pipe, extending upward from the clarification tube and used to discharge air bubbles in the molten glass out of the clarification tube, with the exhaust pipes arranged at multiple locations along the flow direction of the molten glass, the exhaust pipes being longer the more upstream they are arranged in the flow direction.

[0030] If this tubular component is used in a clarification device, the same effects described above can be obtained with respect to the first clarification device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0031] In the clarification apparatus, the method for manufacturing glass articles, and the tubular component disclosed herein, when using a clarification apparatus equipped with an exhaust pipe to remove air bubbles from molten glass, it is possible to prevent bubbly glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0032] Figure 1 is a side view showing a method for manufacturing glass articles. Figure 2 is a side view of the clarification apparatus. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the clarification apparatus. Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the clarification device. Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an existing clarification device. Implementation

[0033] Hereinafter, the clarifying apparatus, the method for manufacturing glass articles, and the tubular component of the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the glass article manufacturing method described below, the case of manufacturing a glass sheet as a type of glass article is given as an example. However, there are also cases where glass articles other than glass sheets (such as glass rollers, glass tubes, glass fibers, etc.) are manufactured.

[0034] The method for manufacturing glass articles (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing method) is performed using the glass article manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in FIG1 (hereinafter referred to as the manufacturing apparatus 1).

[0035] The manufacturing apparatus 1, starting from the upstream side of the molten glass MG that becomes the raw material for the glass sheet, sequentially includes a melting furnace 2, a refining device 3, a homogenizing tank 4 (stirring tank), a conditioning tank 5, and a forming device 6. These devices are connected via glass supply paths 7a to 7d. Furthermore, in addition to these devices, the manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a slow-cooling furnace (not shown) for slowly cooling the glass strip GR formed by the forming device 6, or a cutting device (not shown) for continuously cutting glass sheets from the slowly cooled glass strip GR. The obtained glass sheet can be suitable as a glass substrate or cover glass in various displays such as liquid crystal displays or organic electroluminescence (EL) displays. It can also be suitable as a glass substrate for manufacturing blank hard disks.

[0036] Melting step P1 is performed in melting furnace 2, in which molten glass MG is continuously generated by sequentially melting the glass raw materials continuously fed into the furnace. A clarifying agent (e.g., SnO2) used in clarifying step P2, as described below, is added to the glass raw materials. Melting furnace 2 is connected to clarifying device 3 via glass supply path 7a.

[0037] In the clarification apparatus 3, clarification step P2 is performed, which involves heating the molten glass MG supplied from the melting furnace 2 to reduce its viscosity, and using a clarifying agent to remove air bubbles B from the molten glass MG (see Figures 3 and 4). The clarification apparatus 3 is connected to the homogenization tank 4 via the glass supply path 7b. The clarification apparatus 3 will be described in detail below.

[0038] The homogenization step P3 is performed in the homogenization tank 4, that is, the clarified molten glass MG is stirred using a stirrer 4a including stirring blades, thereby homogenizing the molten glass MG. The homogenization tank 4 is connected to the condition adjustment tank 5 via the glass supply path 7c.

[0039] In the condition adjustment tank 5, the condition adjustment step P4 is performed, which involves adjusting the temperature (viscosity) or flow rate of the molten glass MG to make it suitable for forming the glass strip GR. The condition adjustment tank 5 is connected to the forming device 6 via the glass supply path 7d.

[0040] Forming step P5 is performed in forming apparatus 6, in which glass strip GR is continuously formed from molten glass MG by overflow pull-down method. Furthermore, forming apparatus 6 can also form glass strip GR by other forming methods such as flow hole pull-down method, re-pulling method, and floating method.

[0041] The following is a detailed description of the equipment used to perform the clarification step P2, namely the clarification apparatus 3.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2, the clarification device 3 includes a tubular component 3a, which includes a clarification pipe 8 and an exhaust pipe 9. A plurality of bricks (not shown in Figure 2) are arranged around the clarification pipe 8 and the exhaust pipe 9.

[0043] The refining tube 8 is positioned horizontally, and the molten glass MG flows inside it in the flow direction D. The venting tube 9 extends upward from the refining tube 8 and is used to discharge the bubbles B in the molten glass MG out of the refining tube 8. Both the refining tube 8 and the venting tube 9 contain precious metals such as platinum (including reinforced platinum) or platinum alloys (including reinforced platinum alloys).

[0044] The upstream end of the clarifying tube 8 is connected to the glass supply path 7a, and the downstream end is connected to the glass supply path 7b. The clarifying tube 8 has a generally cylindrical shape. The length of the clarifying tube 8 is, for example, 1 m to 10 m, and the inner diameter of the clarifying tube 8 is, for example, 100 mm to 500 mm. The clarifying tube 8 in this embodiment includes a single tube without being divided along its length, but the clarifying tube 8 may also be divided into multiple tubes along its length, and may include multiple tubes connected end-to-end.

[0045] The tube axis 8a of the refining tube 8 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the refining tube 8 forms an upward slope from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow direction D. The angle θ of the inclination of the tube axis 8a relative to the horizontal plane is preferably set in the range of 0.25° to 5°, and more preferably in the range of 0.5° to 2°. This prevents the angle θ from being too large, thus avoiding excessive pressure of the molten glass MG on the upstream side within the refining tube 8. Furthermore, the inclination promotes the movement of bubbles B along the flow direction D within the refining tube 8, suppressing the formation of platinum foreign matter in the glass article (here, the glass plate) due to the stagnation of bubbles B.

[0046] Flanges 11 are provided at the upstream and downstream ends of the clarifying tube 8, respectively, to surround the outer peripheral surface of the clarifying tube 8. An electrode 12 is formed on the upper part of the flange 11. A predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode 12, thereby heating the clarifying tube 8. In this way, the clarifying apparatus 3 heats the molten glass MG in the clarifying tube 8 to a predetermined temperature (e.g., 1300°C to 1500°C) during the clarifying step P2. The flanges 11 and the electrode 12 may also be provided in the clarifying tube 8 at positions separate from the upstream and downstream ends. The flanges 11 and the electrode 12 may be provided in three or more locations, for example, in the middle (more specifically, the central part) between the upstream and downstream ends of the clarifying tube 8.

[0047] The tube axis 9a of the exhaust pipe 9 extends parallel to the vertical direction. The exhaust pipe 9 is disposed at two locations in the clarifying tube 8 along the flow direction D of the molten glass MG. Of course, it is not limited to this, and the exhaust pipe 9 may be disposed at three or more locations. Here, in the following description, the exhaust pipe 9 disposed on the upstream side in the flow direction D is referred to as the upstream exhaust pipe 91, and the exhaust pipe 9 disposed on the downstream side is referred to as the downstream exhaust pipe 92, thereby distinguishing between the two 91 and 92.

[0048] The exhaust pipe 9 is longer the more it is positioned upstream in the flow direction D. That is, the exhaust pipe 9 is longer the more it is positioned at a higher pressure point in the molten glass MG. Therefore, the length L1 of the upstream exhaust pipe 91 is longer than the length L2 of the downstream exhaust pipe 92. Here, "length L1 and length L2" refer to the lengths along the pipe axis 9a, meaning the lengths of the portion of the exhaust pipe 9 exposed from the clarifying pipe 8. For example, length L1 is 50 mm to 400 mm, and length L2 is 30 mm to 300 mm.

[0049] In this embodiment, the upstream exhaust pipe 91 and the downstream exhaust pipe 92 have the same structure, except that the lengths L1 and L2 are different. However, this is not a limitation; the upstream exhaust pipe 91 and the downstream exhaust pipe 92 may also have different structures, except that the lengths L1 and L2 are different.

[0050] The upper end of the upstream exhaust pipe 91 is aligned with the upper end of the downstream exhaust pipe 92 at the same height. However, this is not a limitation. As long as the length L1 is longer than the length L2, the upper end of the upstream exhaust pipe 91 and the upper end of the downstream exhaust pipe 92 may not be aligned at the same height, and either one may be located at the top.

[0051] The upper ends of the upstream exhaust pipe 91 and the downstream exhaust pipe 92 are both located above the liquid surface MGa of the molten glass MG inside the melting furnace 2. Here, in order to reliably prevent the molten glass MG from flowing out of the exhaust pipe 9 (the ejection of the bubble glass BG described below), it is preferable that the height difference H between the upper ends of the upstream exhaust pipe 91 and the downstream exhaust pipe 92 and the liquid surface MGa of the molten glass MG is set to 20 mm or more.

[0052] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the refining tube 8 is filled with molten glass MG. That is, the entire inner circumferential surface of the refining tube 8 is in contact with the molten glass MG. Herein, bubbles B in the molten glass MG come into contact with the top of the refining tube 8 and move along the flow direction D to reach the exhaust pipe 9. Subsequently, bubbles B are discharged from the opening 9b of the exhaust pipe 9.

[0053] The clarification device 3 further includes a support brick 13 that supports the clarification tube 8 in a manner that surrounds the clarification tube 8. The support brick 13 includes bricks 14 facing each other in a manner that accommodates the clarification tube 8.

[0054] Each of the bricks 14 has a concave surface 14a formed with a shape mimicking the outer peripheral surface of the clarifying pipe 8. That is, the concave surface 14a is partially formed as a cylindrical surface. The exhaust pipe 9 passes through the upper brick of the opposing bricks 14. As an example, the bricks 14 include heat-insulating refractory bricks (e.g., high-zirconia refractory bricks: bricks containing 80% to 100% ZrO2 by mass).

[0055] The exhaust pipe 9 includes a large-diameter section 15 with a relatively large inner diameter, a small-diameter section 16 with a relatively small inner diameter, and a tapered section 17 located between the large-diameter section 15 and the small-diameter section 16. Both the large-diameter section 15 and the small-diameter section 16 have a cylindrical shape. As mentioned above, the exhaust pipe 9 is longer the more it is positioned upstream of the flow direction D; more specifically, the larger-diameter section 15 of the exhaust pipe 9 is longer along the pipe axis 9a the more it is positioned upstream of the flow direction D. This better prevents bubble-like glass from being ejected from the exhaust pipe 9.

[0056] The large-diameter portion 15 connects to the upper part (top) of the clarifying pipe 8, forming the lower end of the exhaust pipe 9. Conversely, the small-diameter portion 16 forms the upper end of the exhaust pipe 9. An opening 9b for discharging bubbles B is formed at the upper end of the exhaust pipe 9. A flange 16a is formed at the upper edge of the small-diameter portion 16. The inner diameter of the lower end of the tapered portion 17 is equal to the inner diameter D1 of the large-diameter portion 15, and the inner diameter of the upper end of the tapered portion 17 is equal to the inner diameter D2 of the small-diameter portion 16. Thus, the inner circumferential surface of the tapered portion 17 is smoothly connected to the inner circumferential surfaces of the large-diameter portion 15 and the small-diameter portion 16 without any step difference.

[0057] From the viewpoint of increasing the capacity to accommodate the bubble glass BG within the exhaust pipe 9, as described below, the inner diameter D1 of the large-diameter portion 15 is preferably 30 mm or more. The upper limit of the inner diameter D1 can be, for example, set to 100 mm or less. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of preventing foreign objects from entering through the opening 9b and preventing cooling, the inner diameter D2 of the small-diameter portion 16 is preferably 50 mm or less. The lower limit of the inner diameter D2 can be, for example, set to 20 mm or more.

[0058] Within the exhaust pipe 9, the liquid level MGb of the molten glass MG is preferably located within the large diameter section 15, and at the lower part of the large diameter section 15 (below the center of the large diameter section 15). Furthermore, the pressure of the molten glass MG is higher on the upstream side of the clarifying pipe 8, so the liquid level MGb in the upstream exhaust pipe 91 will not be at the same height as the liquid level MGb in the downstream exhaust pipe 92; in fact, it is located above the liquid level MGb in the downstream exhaust pipe 92.

[0059] A layer of bubble-shaped glass BG is formed on the liquid surface MGb of the molten glass MG in the exhaust pipe 9. As described above, the liquid surface MGb in the upstream exhaust pipe 91 is above the liquid surface MGb in the downstream exhaust pipe 92. Moreover, when the pipe axis 8a of the clarifying pipe 8 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, the bubbles B rising from a deeper position in the upstream exhaust pipe 91 tend to flow in compared with the downstream exhaust pipe 92, so the bubbles contained in the bubble-shaped glass BG in the exhaust pipe 9 tend to expand and grow larger. Therefore, the bubble-shaped glass BG is more likely to be ejected from the opening 9b of the upstream exhaust pipe 9 than the downstream side. However, in this clarifying device 3, the exhaust pipe 9 is longer on the upstream side where the pressure of the molten glass MG is higher, thereby preventing the bubble-shaped glass BG from being ejected from the exhaust pipe 9 due to the pressure of the molten glass MG.

[0060] The clarification device 3 further includes a retaining brick 18 for the portion of the exhaust pipe 9 that protrudes upward from the supporting brick 13 (in this embodiment, the entire small-diameter portion 16, the entire tapered portion 17, and a part of the large-diameter portion 15). The retaining brick 18 includes bricks 19 to 21.

[0061] Bricks 19 to 21 are all located below the opening 9b of the exhaust pipe 9. Bricks 19 to 21 are each divided into multiple brick pieces, which surround the exhaust pipe 9. That is, the inner circumferential surfaces of bricks 19 to 21 are opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 9. Brick 21 supports the flange 16a of the small-diameter portion 16 in the exhaust pipe 9 from below. The inner circumferential surfaces of bricks 19 to 21 may contact the outer circumferential surface of the exhaust pipe 9, or they may not contact each other, forming a gap between them.

[0062] At least a portion of bricks 19 to 21 comprises bricks (e.g., high-zirconia refractory bricks) that are resistant to molten glass MG (bubble glass BG). This allows the vent pipe 9 to be supported even if bubble glass BG is ejected. In this embodiment, brick 21, the uppermost brick among bricks 19 to 21 that supports the flange 16a from below, comprises the same type of brick. This reliably prevents bricks 19 to 21 from being eroded even if bubble glass BG is ejected.

[0063] The clarification device 3 further includes a surrounding member 22. The surrounding member 22 surrounds the upper end of the exhaust pipe 9, which has an opening 9b, and a portion of the retaining brick 18 (brick 20, brick 21). The surrounding member 22 includes bricks 23 to 26. The bricks constituting bricks 23 to 26 are, for example, alumina, zirconia, and silica refractory bricks.

[0064] Bricks 23 to 25 are each divided into multiple brick pieces, which surround the upper end of the exhaust pipe 9. Brick 23 is disposed on brick 19 included in retaining brick 18. Brick 26 is located directly above the opening 9b of the exhaust pipe 9 and functions as a component to prevent foreign objects from entering the opening 9b. Brick 26 can be installed and removed, and the space S divided by retaining brick 18 and surrounding component 22 can be closed and opened simultaneously with installation and removal.

[0065] Here, variations of the above-described embodiment can also be applied. In the above embodiment, the pipe axis 8a of the clarifying pipe 8 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, but the pipe axis 8a may also be parallel to the horizontal plane. Moreover, in the above embodiment, the pipe axis 9a of the exhaust pipe 9 extends parallel to the vertical direction, but the pipe axis 9a may also extend in a direction inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0066] 1: Manufacturing equipment 2: Melting Furnace 3. 100: Clarification device 3a: Tubular components 4: Homogenization tank 4a: Mixer 5: Status Adjustment Slot 6: Forming device 7a~7d: Glass supply route 8. 200: Clarifying tube 8a: The shaft of the clarifier tube 9. 300: Exhaust pipe 9a: Exhaust pipe shaft 9b, 300a: Exhaust pipe opening 11, 16a: Flange 12: Electrode 13: Support bricks 14, 19~21, 23~26: Bricks 14a: Concave surface 15: Large diameter section of the exhaust pipe 16: Small diameter section of the exhaust pipe 17: Conical part 18: Keep the bricks 22: Enclosing component 91: Upstream exhaust pipe 92: Downstream exhaust pipe B: Bubbles BG: Bubble Glass D: Flow direction of molten glass D1: Inner diameter of large diameter part D2: Inner diameter of the minor diameter section GR: Glass ribbon H: Difference in elevation L1: Length of the upstream exhaust pipe L2: Length of the downstream exhaust pipe MG: Molten Glass MGa, MGb: liquid level P1: Melting Step P2: Clarification Steps P3: Homogenization Steps P4: Status Adjustment Steps P5: Forming Steps S: Space

Claims

1. A clarification apparatus, comprising: The clarifying tube is positioned horizontally, and molten glass flows inside it; The clarification apparatus is characterized in that: the vent pipes are arranged at multiple locations on the clarification pipe along the flow direction of the molten glass, with the vent pipes being longer the more upstream they are located in the flow direction.

2. The clarification apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tube axis of the clarification tube is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and the clarification tube forms an upward slope from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow direction.

3. The clarification apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the axis of the exhaust pipe extends parallel to the vertical direction.

4. The clarification device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the exhaust pipe includes a large-diameter portion with a relatively large inner diameter and a small-diameter portion with a relatively small inner diameter, the large-diameter portion forming the lower end of the exhaust pipe connected to the clarification pipe, and the small-diameter portion forming the upper end of the exhaust pipe having an opening formed thereon.

5. The clarification apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: A support brick is provided to support the clarifier tube in a manner that surrounds the clarifier tube, and the exhaust pipe passes through the support brick.

6. The clarification apparatus as claimed in claim 5, comprising: The retaining brick, which holds the portion of the vent pipe that protrudes upward from the supporting brick, has at least a portion that is resistant to corrosion by the molten glass.

7. The clarification apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: A surrounding member that surrounds the upper end of the exhaust pipe on which the opening of the exhaust pipe is formed.

8. A method for manufacturing a glass article, comprising: In the clarification step, using the clarification apparatus as described in claim 1 or claim 2, air bubbles in the molten glass filling the clarification tube are discharged from the vent pipe to the outside of the clarification tube.

9. A tubular member for a clarification apparatus, characterized in that the tubular member comprises: The clarifying tube is positioned horizontally, and molten glass flows inside it; An exhaust pipe extends upward from the clarifying tube and is used to discharge air bubbles in the molten glass out of the clarifying tube. The exhaust pipe is arranged at multiple locations in the clarifying tube along the flow direction of the molten glass, with the exhaust pipe being longer the more upstream it is located in the flow direction.

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