Submerged Burner Furnace Barrier for Glass Bath Sloshing Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass melting processes experience load instability, leading to variations in fiberization and product density, resulting in waste and quality issues due to instantaneous changes in glass load.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an anti-slosh barrier positioned at a specific horizontal distance between the submerged burner and the furnace outlet, acting as an obstacle to reduce sloshing and stabilize the glass bath surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a submerged burner is positioned close to the furnace outlet to intensify heating, then melting efficiency is improved, but glass bath instability and sloshing increase
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the submerged burner and the furnace outlet. This barrier mediates the interaction by allowing heat transfer from the burner to the glass bath while preventing direct contact between the burner flame and the glass surface, thereby eliminating sloshing and instability while maintaining heating efficiency
2Productivity
If the glass bath is heated intensely to increase production rate, then productivity is improved, but fiberization stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier acts as a mediator that decouples the heating function from the fiberization zone. It allows intense heating to occur near the burner while preventing direct flame contact with the glass bath surface, thereby maintaining high production rates while ensuring stable fiberization conditions downstream
3Loss of energy
If the burner is positioned closer to the outlet to reduce energy loss, then energy efficiency is improved, but glass load instability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier enables the burner to be positioned optimally close to the outlet for energy efficiency while preventing the harmful effects of direct flame contact. It allows thermal energy to be effectively transferred to the glass bath through conduction and convection while blocking the mechanical disturbance that causes load instability
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
Stabilizes the glass bath, reducing sloshing and enhancing the homogeneity of mineral wool and glass fiber production, minimizing waste and ensuring consistent product quality.
Implementation Method 1
an anti-slosh barrier arranged between said proximal burner and said furnace outlet... acting as an obstacle to reduce sloshing and stabilize the glass bath surface
Data Source
AI summary
A facility for melting a composition of raw materials suitable for obtaining glass wool, rock wool, textile glass fibers and/or flat glass or hollow glassware, the facility including a melting chamber provided with at least one inlet, at least one outlet and at least one submerged burner proximal to the outlet. The facility includes a barrier arranged between the proximal burner and the outlet, which barrier is intended to limit the sloshing movement of the glass, in particular at the surface of the bath.