Vacuum Refining Vessels for Molten Glass Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for refining molten glass, such as soda-lime-silica glass, are inadequate in effectively removing gaseous inclusions like bubbles and blisters, which can form during the melting process, leading to defects in glass products.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus and process involve an upstream vessel with multiple vacuum refining vessels in alternating fluid communication, allowing for continuous refinement by alternating between sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressures to facilitate the removal of gas inclusions, ensuring a continuous flow of refined molten glass to a downstream vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional refining methods are used, then the process is simple, but gaseous inclusions are not effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The refining apparatus is segmented into multiple vacuum chambers (first vacuum chamber, second vacuum chamber, etc.) that can operate alternately. This segmentation allows continuous refining while maintaining manageable complexity in each individual chamber, effectively removing gaseous inclusions through multiple staged vacuum treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous refining action by having multiple vacuum chambers operate in alternating cycles. While one chamber is under vacuum for refining, another is being prepared or is discharging, ensuring uninterrupted removal of gaseous inclusions from the molten glass stream
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple vacuum chambers are used for continuous refining, then gaseous inclusions are effectively removed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex refining system is divided into discrete, modular vacuum chambers that can be independently controlled. Each chamber is a separate unit with defined inlet and outlet connections, making the overall complex system manageable through standardized modular components
Solution Approach 2:
The vacuum chambers operate in periodic alternating cycles of vacuum application and discharge. This periodic operation simplifies control logic compared to simultaneous multi-chamber operation, as valves and pumps can be cycled in a repeating sequence to maintain continuous refining with manageable device complexity
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
This approach effectively removes gaseous inclusions from molten glass, enhancing the quality of glass products by maintaining a controlled pressure environment and ensuring a continuous production flow, which can be retrofitted into various glass manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of vacuum refining vessels located downstream of the upstream vessel in separate, alternating fluid communication therewith
Implementation Method 2
alternating between sub-atmospheric and atmospheric pressures to facilitate the removal of gas inclusions
Implementation Method 3
distributing the molten glass from the upstream vessel to a first of at least two vacuum refining vessels downstream of the upstream vessel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An apparatus (10) and method of refining molten glass are disclosed. An upstream vessel (12) contains molten glass, a downstream vessel (14) is arranged downstream of the upstream vessel, and vacuum refining vessels (16, 18) are located between the upstream vessel and the downstream vessel and are in separate, alternating fluid communication with the upstream vessel and in separate, alternating fluid communication with the downstream vessel.