Method for the Production and/or Processing of Glass by Means of Microwave Radiation in the Batch Area

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This patent describes a method for producing and/or processing glass in which the initial heating and melting of the raw glass batch (in the insertion area of a glass melting furnace) is performed using microwave radiation. By integrating microwaves, the invention improves the energy efficiency and uniformity of heating, particularly during the critical first melting stage. The method optimizes microwave absorption by appropriately selecting and mixing certain components within the glass batch, and by compacting the batch to enhance energy transfer.

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• Manufacturing various types of glass (e.g., container glass, flat glass, specialty glass) with improved energy efficiency.
• Glass recycling processes that require re-melting of cullet or waste glass.
• Glass batch processing in industrial furnaces to lower fossil fuel consumption.
• Enabling flexible hybrid heating systems in glass furnaces (using microwaves and conventional heating as needed).
• Production of glass for laboratory, medical, optical, or construction applications.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Significantly improved energy efficiency during the glass melting process, leading to cost savings.
• Reduces reliance on fossil fuels and enables the use of renewable electricity for heating.
• Provides more uniform heating and faster melting of raw materials, enhancing glass quality and minimizing defects.
• Lowers the thermal load and wear on furnace materials, leading to longer equipment lifespans and reduced maintenance costs.
• Decreases CO2 and NOx emissions compared to traditional combustion-based methods, contributing to greener manufacturing.
• Applicable to a wide range of glass types and adaptable to different furnace configurations.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing and/or processing glass from a glass batch in a glass melting end comprising at least an insertion region and a refining region, in which method: the glass batch is heated in the insertion region of the glass melting end, the glass batch melts at least partially, the molten or partially molten glass batch is further heated for refining purposes in the refining region, and at least the heating process in the insertion region is carried out by means of microwave radiation.