Method for producing glass or glass ceramic

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing glass or glass ceramic in a furnace, wherein glass or a raw material for the production of glass by the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and / or by means of a plasma, which is provided in or by a plasma generation element (9) from a plasma gas (12), is provided, and / or is heated by means of a hot gas produced using the plasma, wherein at least part of the fuel gas (16) and / or an oxygen source (18) is used as the plasma gas (12), wherein the plasma gas (12) is supplied to a device (6) for providing thermal energy by means of inductive generation of the plasma.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GLASS OR GLASS CERAMICS

[0002] The invention relates to a method for producing glass or glass-ceramics in a furnace or treatment chamber, wherein glass or a raw material for the production of glass is heated by the combustion of a fuel gas and / or by means of a plasma which is provided in or by a plasma generating element from a plasma gas, and / or by means of a hot gas produced with the plasma.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for the production of glass or glass ceramics with a burner for the combustion of a fuel gas and a plasma generating element, and with a treatment chamber, for example a melting, refining or working tank, a distributor or a trough, for arranging or receiving glass or a raw material for the production of glass.

[0004] WO 2023 / 041684 Al describes a process and apparatus for the thermal treatment, sintering or melting of inorganic raw materials with or without carbon or other organic additives for the production or thermal post-treatment of ceramics, refractory ceramics, glass, cement, metals, composite materials or carbon-containing or carbon-bonded products, wherein at least one gas burner for the combustion of hydrogen, methane, propane, butane, natural gas or mixtures thereof is combined with at least one plasma burner in a furnace unit.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reduce the loss of thermal energy in the production of glass or glass ceramics and furthermore to reduce the amount of exhaust gas while maintaining the same amount of energy input.

[0006] To solve the problem, the aforementioned method provides that at least a part of the fuel gas and / or an oxygen source, in particular oxygen, is used as the plasma gas, wherein the plasma gas is supplied to a device for providing thermal energy by means of inductive plasma generation.

[0007] To carry out the method, a device for providing thermal energy can be used, which comprises a device body with a plasma generating element in which or on which at least one electrical induction coil is arranged, and which has at least one first flow channel arranged in or on the device body for supplying a plasma gas and one second flow channel arranged in or on the device body for supplying a fuel gas to a burner for the combustion of the supplied fuel gas.

[0008] The object of the invention is also solved with the device for the production of glass or glass ceramics, in which the burner for the combustion of the fuel gas and the plasma generating element are combined in a common device for the provision of thermal energy.

[0009] An advantage of this is that using the plasma gas as a fuel gas reduces the amount of exhaust gas without reducing the amount of thermal energy provided. By using the same gas as both plasma and fuel gas, it can be used not only to provide electrically generated thermal energy but also to generate thermal energy from combustion. The plasma gas can act as a combustion partner within the fuel gas. This is further enhanced by combining the fuel gas supply and plasma generation in a single device. The invention also enables at least partial recycling of exhaust gas from the system itself, not only for heat exchange with another fluid but also, for example, to improve plasma formation.The invention uses argon and / or carbon dioxide, or to adjust the relative proportions of the fuel gas components. By reducing the amount of exhaust gas, the thermal loss of the process or system is reduced. Electrical energy is coupled into the plasma by induction. By eliminating electrodes, electrode wear and thus process interference in the furnace or impairment of the material being thermally treated is avoided. In this application, the term "material" refers to glass, molten glass, or raw materials for glass production, such as batches or cullet, as well as mixtures thereof. The invention also allows for a variable change in energy input between 0% and 100%, so that either only thermal energy from combustion or only thermal energy from the plasma is introduced into the material being treated.For example, the proportion of thermal energy from the combustion of the fuel gas to the total thermal energy can be 0% or between 20% and 100%, particularly between 30% and 90%. The variability of the electrically supplied heat quantity creates the possibility of reacting to short-term load changes or a shortage of electricity by compensating for the curtailed electrical energy by increasing the proportion of fuel gas used for combustion, or conversely, in the case of a surplus of electricity, the proportion of fuel gas can be curtailed and compensated for by increasing the proportion of electricity.

[0010] In one embodiment, a feed element for the combustion of the fuel gas may be provided on the device, for example, to enable completely plasma-free operation of the device. Continuous heating is absolutely necessary during the operation of a glass melting furnace, so such a variant makes it possible to continue operating the melting furnace even during a power outage without an additional emergency power generator.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that only the oxygen source is used as the plasma gas in order to further enhance the aforementioned effects. For example, oxygen can be used as the plasma gas and as a component of the fuel gas for combustion.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the fuel gas may be selected from a group of gases including natural gas, hydrogen, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biofuels such as biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia, and mixtures thereof. Particularly when using CO2-neutral or so-called green fuel gas (e.g., biofuel, e-fuel, green H2, or ammonia) and green electricity, heat generation with the invention is CO2-neutral or CO2-free, making the combination of the plasma generation element with the combustion burner also advantageous with regard to the environment.

[0013] For the combination of combustion and plasma in a device, it is advantageous if only oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content of at least 90 vol.% is used as the oxygen source.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an oxygen source containing between 0.1 vol% and 5 vol% argon can be used, thereby improving plasma generation. Such an oxygen source as plasma gas can also be reused in the device as a recycled product after its use in the thermal treatment of the material, as described above.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the oxygen source can be fed centrally into the combustion flame or the device for providing thermal energy. In one embodiment of the device, the feed element for the oxygen source can be arranged concentrically to the first flow channel or concentrically to the second flow channel, so that the oxygen source is introduced centrally into the first or second flow channel. This allows the length of the hot flame to be significantly reduced compared to a flame produced purely with fuel gas at the same power output (by up to 75% of the conventional flame length), thus achieving better protection of system components, particularly in the treatment chamber, at the same thermal output.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the oxygen source can be supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion for the combustion of the fuel gas. This superstoichiometric injection of the oxygen source is advantageous for maximizing the input of electrical energy into the plasma torch and / or for cooling the outer regions of the plasma flame.

[0017] A plasma torch is understood to be a media stream converted into a plasma before or without the supply of fuel gas.

[0018] A plasma flame is understood to be a medium stream in which, in addition to the plasma torch, a chemical reaction takes place, in particular the combustion of a magnifying glass.

[0019] A media stream refers to media introduced into the combustion chamber, for example as a plasma flame, fuel gas flame or plasma torch.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the fuel gas and / or the oxygen source for combustion is positioned at an angle between 5 0 and 85°, especially between 60 0 and 85°, is supplied or are supplied, or that the second flow channel is arranged at least in an end section from which the fuel gas exits, at an angle to the first flow channel, which consists of a range of 5 0 and 85°, especially between 60 0 and 85°, which allows the method or device to be better adapted to different ratios of thermal "power" of the plasma / thermal "power" from combustion.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, to reduce the exhaust gas volume, it can be provided that an exhaust gas or a component of an exhaust gas from a treatment chamber in which a thermal treatment of the material takes place is used as a component of the plasma gas and / or the fuel gas.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the exhaust gas components carbon dioxide, argon, and water can be used for this purpose, generally after separation from other components produced by combustion or chemical reaction. In glass manufacturing, the combustion of the fuel gas and / or the chemical reaction of the mixture produces, among other things, water and carbon dioxide as exhaust gases. The exhaust gas may also contain argon if the supplied oxygen contained it.

[0023] Another embodiment of the invention for reducing the exhaust gas volume and increasing the efficiency of the process consists of the continuous introduction of a portion of the required heat via the plasma. The correspondingly reduced chemical combustion significantly reduces the exhaust gas volume, e.g., by approximately 50% of the exhaust gas volume from the chemical combustion if 50% of the required heat energy is introduced via the plasma torch.

[0024] To increase the efficiency of the process or the system, a further embodiment may provide for the plasma gas and / or the fuel gas to be preheated, whereby the waste heat from the process itself is used for preheating the plasma gas or fuel gas. For this purpose, the treatment chamber of the glass or glass-ceramic production facility may, according to one embodiment, have an exhaust gas outlet that is flow-connected to a heat exchanger, e.g., a recuperator or heat exchanger. The fuel gas and / or the plasma gas can thus be preheated in the heat exchanger.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion to the total input thermal energy can be adjusted and / or controlled depending on the control power of an external power grid. The device can include a control element that regulates the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion to the total input thermal energy depending on the control power of a power grid and / or can be connected to an energy exchange for data exchange. This makes it possible to perform real-time control based on media costs in order to minimize process costs. Media costs are understood to mean, in particular, the costs of electricity on the one hand and the fuel gas costs on the other.On the other hand, this also makes it possible to adjust control power based on availability, so the device can also be used as a buffer for power grids. Control power (also known as reserve power) refers to the electrical power that ensures that the grid load in a power grid always matches the electricity generation fed into it, thus keeping the grid frequency constant within a narrow range and the grid stable. The hybrid design of the device makes this possible by supplying more or less thermal energy from combustion to the thermal treatment process of a material, depending on the requirements.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, at least one further feed element for the oxygen source or for the exhaust gas from the treatment chamber can also be arranged in the treatment chamber. This element can, in particular, feed the oxygen source or the exhaust gas into a hot spot and thus be used for cooling, for example, the lining of the treatment chamber and / or for directing the flame or plasma torch.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the invention, the treatment chamber can be designed as a closed chamber, so that a slight overpressure can be created in it in order to prevent the ingress of air and thus the formation of nitrogen oxides.

[0028] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0029] They each show, in simplified, schematic form:

[0030] Fig. 1a and 1b an apparatus for the production of glass or glass ceramics;

[0031] Fig. 2 shows a device for providing thermal energy. It should be noted by way of introduction that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the positional designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these positional designations are to be applied analogously to the new position if the position is changed.

[0032] For the purposes of this description, plasma gas refers to a gas or mixture of gases that is used in a plasma torch to form a plasma.

[0033] For the purposes of this description, a hot gas is defined as a gas or gas mixture heated by the plasma.

[0034] For the purposes of this description, fuel gas refers to a gas or gas mixture that is supplied to a combustion reaction in / with a gas burner. The gas burner is not the same as the plasma torch, but it can be combined with the plasma torch in a single device.

[0035] A material used in or for the manufacture of glass or glass ceramics is, for example, a mixture, i.e., the solid starting components and raw materials for a glass composition, possibly mixed with cullet of such a glass composition, or a glass melt.

[0036] Preferably, in particular soda-lime glasses, borosilicate glasses, aluminosilicate glasses, boroaluminosilicate glasses, lithium aluminum silicate glasses and glass ceramics, optical glasses, colored glasses are produced using the heat treatment process or the equipment.

[0037] A glass-ceramic is a material containing small crystallites embedded in a glassy matrix. It is typically produced by first melting the so-called green glass from raw materials and then subjecting this green glass to a heat treatment (ceramization) during which crystal nuclei form and grow within the glass matrix.

[0038] Methods for producing glass or glass-ceramics include, in particular, melting processes for melting a glass melt from a batch in a melting tank or the melting area of ​​a glass furnace, refining processes for removing bubbles from a glass melt in a refining tank or the refining area of ​​a glass furnace, and setting processes for the thermal homogenization of a glass melt in a working tank. The transport of a glass melt in troughs and / or distributors with an open glass surface can also be supported by the plasma torches described.

[0039] A piece of equipment is, in particular, a unit for melting glass from raw materials or mixtures, a refining tank for removing bubbles from the molten glass, a working tank or settling tank for thermally homogenizing the molten glass, or a distributor or trough for transporting molten glass. The equipment can also consist of a combination of two or more of the aforementioned units.

[0040] Figures 1a and 1b (together referred to as Figure 1) schematically depict a device 1 for the production of glass using the example of a continuous glass melting furnace (hereinafter referred to as device 1), where Figure 1a shows a section through the device in the flow direction of the molten glass and Figure 1b shows a section through the device perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten glass.

[0041] Apparatus 1 is a combination of a melting tank and a refining tank for the continuous production of glass. In the front section (left side of Figure 1a), the solid mixture 2' is continuously fed through a feed channel 30 and melted. The liquid glass 2 is additionally heated by electrodes 32 inserted through the underside of the glass tank. Before the liquid glass is removed through the outlet 31 of the tank, the molten glass is refined in the rear section of the tank, i.e., freed from gaseous components.

[0042] The substance 2, 2' can be a solid, in particular a mixture 2', i.e., a raw material for the production of glass, optionally mixed with cullet, or a liquid, in particular a glass melt 2. The substance 2 can also be a mixture of a solid and a liquid, for example, a glass melt with a mixture lying on the surface of the glass melt. For the purposes of this invention, the term "substance" therefore also includes mixtures of several different substances 2.

[0043] The process for manufacturing glass involves the thermal treatment of a substance, such as melting substance 2, 2', for example, melting batches and / or cullet, or tempering substance 2, for example, maintaining a specific temperature, or (further) heating substance 2, for example, increasing the temperature of a glass melt 2 for a refining process. Such a thermal treatment, like the production of a glass melt from the starting materials, can also include a chemical reaction with the release of exhaust gases. For example, melting a carbonate-containing batch releases carbon dioxide gas as an exhaust gas.

[0044] Since the areas of application of the device 1 are different, the schematic representation in Fig. 1 is not limiting, but is only intended to illustrate the invention using the example of a continuous melting furnace for the production of glass from a mixture.

[0045] The device 1 includes a receptacle 3 for the substance 2. The receptacle 3 can be formed by a separate container in which the substance 2 is located. Alternatively, the receptacle 3 can be an integral part of the housing 4 of a treatment chamber 5 in which the substance 2 is located for thermal treatment or into which the substance 2 is introduced. If present, a separate container is also arranged in the treatment chamber 5.

[0046] The device 1 further comprises a device 6 for providing thermal energy (hereinafter referred to simply as device 6). The device 6 provides the thermal energy for the thermal treatment of the substance 2. The device 6 is preferably arranged on the housing 4 of the treatment chamber 5 such that a media flow 7, which is generated by or discharged from the device, extends into or towards the treatment chamber 5.

[0047] For further components of the facility 1 that are not mentioned or described below, reference is made to the relevant state of the art to avoid repetition.

[0048] A glass manufacturing facility can be operated both continuously and discontinuously.

[0049] The apparatus may also include several devices 6 for providing thermal energy, for example, to generate an advantageous temperature profile for treating the substance 2. As shown by way of example in Figures 1a and 1b, several devices 6 are preferably arranged on both side walls of the glass melting tank 5. Figure 1a shows the media flows 7 generated by the devices 6.

[0050] The device 1 may further include a feed device 30 for mixture 2' and / or an outlet for liquid glass 31. Electrodes 32 may also be present in the receptacle 3 to supply further thermal energy to the substance 2 in the form of molten glass.

[0051] The device 6 comprises a device body 8 (also referred to as a burner body), as can be seen more clearly in Fig. 2, which shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the device 6. A plasma generating element 9 and a burner 10 for the (chemical) combustion of a gas are arranged in the device body 8. The device 6 can therefore also be referred to as a hybrid plasma burner.

[0052] At least one electrical induction coil 11 for plasma generation is arranged in or on the device body 8. Several induction coils 11 can also be used, which may optionally be independently controllable and / or adjustable. The multiple induction coils 11 can be arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of a plasma gas 12 (indicated by a flow arrow in Fig. 1).

[0053] According to the preceding definition, a plasma gas 12 within the meaning of the invention is understood to be a gas or a gas mixture with which or from which the plasma is generated.

[0054] The device body 8 contains at least one first flow channel 13, through which the plasma gas 12 is supplied. During the course of the first flow channel 13, the plasma gas 12 enters the influence zone of the at least one induction coil 11, thereby generating the plasma. For the thermal treatment of the substance 2, the plasma itself, a hot gas generated with it and introduced into the treatment chamber 5, or a combination of plasma and hot gas can be used. The plasma generating element 9 can therefore be configured such that the plasma exits the device body 8 and / or the hot gas, which can also flow through or is generated in the first flow channel 13, exits the device body 8. The first flow channel 13 can be arranged concentrically to a longitudinal central axis 14 through the device body 8 and / or form the innermost channel for the flow of a gas.The first flow channel 13 can also be arranged on the device body 8. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that the first flow channel 13 extend centrally along the longitudinal center axis 14 through the device body 8 as shown in Fig. 2. It can also be arranged or designed laterally or at least partially obliquely.

[0055] A second flow channel 15 is arranged or formed in the device body 8. This channel serves to supply a fuel gas 16 (indicated by a flow arrow in Fig. 1) to the burner 10. During the start-up phase of the device 1, in a process with at least partial provision of thermal energy, the fuel gas 16 can be ignited by combustion in the device body 8 or at or in the area of ​​the outlet from the device body 8 (if the thermal energy in the device 6 is not yet sufficient for combustion), in order to be subsequently combusted. The device 6 may have an ignition element (not shown) for ignition. In normal operation after the start-up phase, the thermal energy in the device 6 will normally be sufficiently high for the combustion of the fuel gas 16, so that separate ignition is not necessary. The same applies if the device 6 or the device 6 is not yet sufficiently heated.In the procedure carried out, the plasma generating element 9 is put into operation first, and only then the burner 10.

[0056] For the supply of the fuel gas 16, the device 1 or the apparatus 6 can have at least one supply element 17, for example a nozzle, etc.

[0057] Furthermore, an oxygen source 18 is supplied to the fuel gas 16 (indicated in Fig. 1 by a flow arrow), for which the device 1 or the apparatus 6 may have at least one supply element 19, for example a nozzle, etc.

[0058] The oxygen source 18 can be supplied to the fuel gas 16 before, within, and / or after the device 6, so that a corresponding mixture of fuel gas 16 and oxygen source 18 reaches a combustion zone 20 of the device 6. The combustion zone 20 is indicated in Fig. 2 as a dashed flame. If the mixing takes place after the device 6, the oxygen source 18 is supplied, in particular, at the outlet of the fuel gas 16 from the device 6. In the preferred embodiment, however, the oxygen source 18 is used as a plasma gas 12, so that the mixing with the fuel gas 16 takes place at least partially, preferably entirely, within the device 6.

[0059] The plasma gas 12 is therefore at least a portion of the fuel gas 16, i.e., the fuel gas mixture, so that—as indicated in Fig. 1—this component of the fuel gas 16, namely at least the oxygen source 18, and the plasma gas 12 can be supplied to the device 6 via a common feed element 19. However, separate supply of this component of the fuel gas 16 and the plasma gas 12 to the device 6 via at least one feed element 19 each is also possible.

[0060] At least a portion of the fuel gas 16, which is not an oxygen source 18, can be mixed with the plasma gas 12 in the device 6. The position of the root of the combustion zone 20 (combustion flame) can be influenced by the proportion of this fuel gas component in the plasma gas. To prevent flame flashback, the proportion of this fuel gas component in the plasma gas should be selected to be low stoichiometrically.

[0061] It may be provided that a third flow channel 21 for a gaseous fluid is arranged in the device body 8, at least partially concentric to the first flow channel 13. This gaseous fluid can be used as a cooling gas to protect the device body 8 from overheating by the plasma generating element 9. The cooling gas can also be formed by the plasma gas 12, in particular by oxygen source 18.

[0062] The first, second, and third flow channels 13, 15, 21 can be at least partially tubular, for example, with a circular cross-section. The first and / or the third flow channel 13, 21 can, for example, be formed from a transparent or opaque quartz glass tube, an aluminum oxide tube, a bomitride tube, etc.

[0063] The first flow channel 13 can be configured as a tube made of the aforementioned materials and arranged at a distance from the inner surface of the device body 8 (in particular, the surface 9 behind which the induction coil 11 is arranged), which is selected from a range of 0 mm to 30 mm, particularly 0 mm to 20 mm. However, the configuration of the first flow channel 13 as a tube is not essential for the invention.

[0064] In principle, the second flow channel 15 for supplying the fuel gas 16 can be arranged next to the first flow channel 13 for supplying the plasma gas 12 in the device body 8 or in the device 6. However, according to one embodiment of the device 6, the second flow channel 15 for supplying the fuel gas 16 can be arranged at least partially or entirely concentrically to the first flow channel 13 for supplying the plasma gas 12 in the device body 8 or in the device 6.

[0065] It can further be provided that the feed element 17 for the oxygen source 18 is arranged concentrically to the first flow channel 13 and / or concentrically to the second flow channel 15, so that the oxygen source 18 is introduced centrally into the first or second flow channel 13, 15. With the central, i.e., centric, feed of the oxygen source 18 in the direction of the longitudinal center axis 14, the combustion zone 20, i.e., the flame of the burner 10, can be made shorter, so that the substance 2 or the inner lining of the treatment chamber 5 is better protected from the direct effect of the flame of the burner 10. Due to the central, centric feed of the oxygen source 18, the fuel gas 16 "finds" the reaction partner required for combustion more quickly.

[0066] As indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 2, it can be provided that the second flow channel 13 is arranged at an angle 23 to the first flow channel 13, which consists of a region of 5, at least in an end section 22 from which the fuel gas 16 exits. 0 and 85°, especially between 60 0and 85°. As previously explained, the angled introduction of the fuel gas 16 allows the device 6 to be better adapted to different ratios of thermal "power" of the plasma / thermal "power" from the combustion. This can also be achieved alternatively or additionally by changing the position of the fuel gas 16 outlet from the second flow channel 15 and / or by pulsed introduction of the fuel gas 16 into the second flow channel 15. The size of the angle 23 thus allows the size and / or position of the combustion zone 20 to be changed. This also makes it possible for the combustion components to mix sufficiently for combustion only outside the device 6, particularly at the fuel gas 16 outlet from the device 6.The angle 23 is measured between the longitudinal center axis 14 through the device body 8 and the longitudinal center axis through the channel section in the end section 22, as can be seen from Fig. 2.

[0067] The oxygen source 18 can be supplied exclusively to the device 6. However, it is also possible that the oxygen source 18 is additionally introduced directly into the treatment chamber 5 via one or more additional supply elements 17, as indicated by the dashed lines in Fig. 1. The at least one additional supply element 17 can be arranged on the housing of the treatment chamber 5.

[0068] The treatment chamber 5 has an exhaust gas outlet 24 that can lead to a chimney 25. As also shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1, according to one embodiment of the device 1, the exhaust gas outlet 24 can be connected to the device 6 via a further flow channel 26, so that the exhaust gas can be recirculated back into the process for providing thermal energy. For example, the exhaust gas can be used as a component of the plasma gas 12, particularly if the exhaust gas contains argon. If, during a phase of the process, only the plasma generation element 9 of the device 6 is operated, i.e., no chemical combustion takes place, the exhaust gas can also be fed to the combustion process in a later phase. Alternatively or additionally, at least one heat exchanger 27 (e.g., a recuperator, a regenerator, or a heat recovery system) can be installed in this further flow channel 26.Generally, a heat exchanger is arranged that extracts heat from the exhaust gas. This heat can be used to preheat the plasma gas 12 (or fuel gas 16), in particular the oxygen source 18. The heat can also be fed into another process.

[0069] It should be mentioned here that the device 1, as shown in Figure 1, can have several devices 6, preferably all of which are designed according to one of the embodiments of the invention. For example, the device 1 can have at least 2, at least 4, at least 6, at least 8, or at least 10 devices 6. Preferably, such devices 6 are arranged on the side walls of the device 1.

[0070] In another embodiment of the device 1, the treatment chamber 5 can be designed as a closed chamber instead of an open one. This allows for the creation of overpressure in the treatment chamber 5, thus preventing the entry of air from the environment of the device 1 into the treatment chamber 5 and consequently the supply of nitrogen. This, in turn, reduces or prevents the formation of nitrogen oxides.

[0071] The device 1 or the apparatus 6 can include a data processing element and / or data transmission element 28 for wired or wireless data transmission. The device 1 or the apparatus 6 can be connected to an energy exchange (electricity and / or gas) for data exchange via this element, so that a control element 29 of the device 1 or the apparatus 6 can regulate the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generation element and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion in relation to the total input thermal energy, depending on the control power of an electricity grid and / or depending on the availability of gas and / or depending on the media costs.

[0072] In principle, gaseous components not present in the fuel gas 16 can also be added to the plasma gas 12, or conversely, the fuel gas 16 can also contain components not present in the plasma gas 12. However, in the preferred embodiment, only the oxygen source 18 is used as the plasma gas 12.

[0073] Fuel gas 16 may consist of a gas selected from a group including natural gas, hydrogen, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia, and mixtures thereof. Other fuel gases 16 may also be used.

[0074] In the preferred embodiment, the gaseous oxygen source 18 is exclusively oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content between 90 vol.%, in particular 95 vol.%, and 99.99 vol.%.

[0075] It is possible to use pure oxygen free of gaseous impurities. However, according to one embodiment, for the reasons stated above, an oxygen source 18 containing between 0.1 vol.% and 5 vol.% argon, or a portion of the exhaust gas, particularly if it contains argon, can be used. For example, so-called industrially produced oxygen can be used, which is produced, for instance, by the known PSA process (Pressure Swing Adsorption) or by known cryogenic technology.

[0076] The oxygen source 18 can be used in a stoichiometric proportion with respect to the combustion of the fuel gas 16. According to one embodiment, however, the oxygen source 18 can also be supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion. Superstoichiometric injection is advantageous for maximizing the input of electrical energy into the plasma flame and / or cooling the outer regions of the plasma flame.

[0077] The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that combinations of the individual design variants are also possible.

[0078] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, the equipment 1 and the device 6 are not necessarily shown to scale. Reference numerals

[0079] Setup 32 electrodes material

[0080] Recording

[0081] Housing

[0082] Treatment chamber

[0083] device

[0084] Media flow

[0085] Device body

[0086] Plasma generating element

[0087] burner

[0088] Induction coil

[0089] Plasma gas

[0090] Flow channel

[0091] Longitudinal center axis

[0092] Flow channel

[0093] Fuel gas

[0094] Feed element

[0095] oxygen source

[0096] Feed element

[0097] combustion zone

[0098] Flow channel

[0099] Final section

[0100] angle

[0101] exhaust outlet

[0102] chimney

[0103] Flow channel

[0104] Heat exchanger

[0105] Data transmission element

[0106] Rule element

[0107] Insertion channel

[0108] Outlet

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for producing glass or glass-ceramics in a furnace, wherein glass or a raw material for the production of glass is heated by the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and / or by means of a plasma provided in or by a plasma generating element (9) from a plasma gas (12), and / or by means of a hot gas produced with the plasma, wherein at least a part of the fuel gas (16) and / or an oxygen source (18), in particular oxygen, is used as the plasma gas (12), wherein the plasma gas (12) is supplied to a device (6) for providing thermal energy by means of preferably inductive plasma generation.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen source (18) is used exclusively as the plasma gas (12).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel gas (16) is selected from a group of gases comprising natural gas, hydrogen, blast furnace gas, town gas, methane, ethane, ethene, ethyne, propane, butane, carbon monoxide, biomethane, e-NG, LPG, gaseous ethanol and gaseous methanol, ammonia and mixtures thereof.

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the oxygen source (18) is exclusively oxygen or a gas with an oxygen content of at least 90 vol.%.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an oxygen source (18) is used which contains between 0.1 vol% and 5 vol% argon.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the oxygen source (18) is supplied centrally to the combustion flame or the device (6) for the provision of thermal energy.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the oxygen source (18) is supplied in a superstoichiometric proportion for the combustion of the fuel gas (16).

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fuel gas (16) and / or the oxygen source (18) is supplied for combustion at an angle (23) between 5° and 85°. 0 is supplied or will be supplied.

9. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an exhaust gas from a treatment chamber (5) in which the thermal treatment of the substance (2) takes place is added to the plasma gas (12) and / or the fuel gas (16).

10. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plasma gas (12) and / or the fuel gas (16) is / are preheated.

11. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generating element (9) and the proportion of thermal energy from the combustion in relation to the total thermal energy input is adjusted and / or controlled depending on the control power of a power grid.

12. Apparatus (1) for the production of glass or glass-ceramics, in particular for a process according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a burner (10) for the combustion of a fuel gas (16) and a plasma generating element (9) for the preferably inductive generation of a plasma and a treatment chamber (5) for the arrangement or receiving of glass or a raw material for the production of glass, wherein the burner (10) for the combustion of the fuel gas (16) and the plasma generating element (9) are combined in a common device (6) for the provision of thermal energy.

13. Device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the treatment chamber (5) has an exhaust gas outlet (24) which is connected to a further flow channel (26) with a heat exchanger flow s.

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the treatment chamber (5) is designed as a closed chamber.

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein it has a control element (29) that controls the proportion of thermal energy from the plasma generating element (9) and the proportion of thermal energy from combustion in relation to the total thermal energy input, depending on the control power of a power grid.

16. Device (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein it is connected to an energy exchange for data exchange.

17. Device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the device comprises several devices (6).

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