Dry Ice Cleaning Transport Rollers Float Glass Annealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing float glass manufacturing processes face challenges in continuously cleaning transport rollers within the annealing lehr without interrupting production, as traditional methods require removing rollers for external cleaning, leading to production interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device and method utilizing dry ice pellets or snow to blast dirt off transport rollers, allowing for in-line cleaning without interrupting float glass production, using a single nozzle to minimize carbon dioxide introduction and pressure loss, and employing a lance with a guide rail for targeted cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transport rollers are removed from the annealing lehr for cleaning outside the lehr, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but production interruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning operation is performed continuously during the glass production process without removing the rollers. The cleaning device is positioned within the annealing lehr and cleans the rollers in-situ while they continue to transport the glass, eliminating production interruptions while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning device with a nozzle system is introduced as an intermediary tool within the annealing lehr. This device delivers cleaning media (water, steam, or chemical solutions) directly to the roller surfaces through strategically positioned nozzles, enabling effective cleaning without roller removal.
2Productivity
If multiple nozzles are used for cleaning transport rollers, then cleaning speed is improved, but pressure loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent nozzle units, each with its own pressure source or feed line. This segmentation allows each nozzle to operate independently at optimal pressure levels without the pressure loss problems associated with multiple nozzles sharing a common feed line, while still achieving comprehensive coverage of the roller surfaces.
3Manufacturing precision
If sulfur dioxide is sprayed continuously onto transport rollers, then sulfate layer formation is improved for glass surface quality, but contamination accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous sulfur dioxide spraying, the system uses periodic or controlled spraying followed by immediate cleaning. The sulfur dioxide is applied in controlled intervals to maintain the sulfate layer for glass surface quality, and the cleaning device is activated to remove accumulated contamination, achieving a balance between sulfate layer formation and contamination removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates as a feedback mechanism that monitors the state of the transport rollers and adjusts cleaning frequency and intensity accordingly. When sulfate layer formation is sufficient for glass quality but contamination accumulates, the cleaning device is activated to remove the contamination while preserving the beneficial sulfate layer, creating a self-regulating system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous float glass production by effectively removing dirt from transport rollers without damaging the glass or rollers, minimizing production losses and extending roller service life.
Implementation Method 1
a jet of dry ice pellets and/or dry ice snow can be used to blast dirt off the surface of transport rollers
Implementation Method 2
The carbon dioxide introduced into the annealing lehr by discharging dry ice pellets and/or dry ice snow
Implementation Method 3
The carbon dioxide introduced into the annealing lehr by discharging dry ice pellets and/or dry ice snow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device for transport rollers in a roller cooling oven of a plant for the production of float glass with a nozzle for dispensing dry ice pellets and/or dry ice snow.