Method for the Production of Glass, Control Device, Plant for the Production of Glass

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention describes a method, control device, and system for efficiently producing glass by separately preparing, preheating, and then mixing sub-mixtures of raw materials—specifically, a sand mixture and a soda mixture—before final melting. The process includes using separate thermal zones to preheat the sand and soda mixture to the necessary temperature for solid-state reactions, which improves glass melting efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes technical issues like dust formation and material agglomeration.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Industrial manufacturing of container glass (e.g., bottles, jars)
• Production of flat glass for windows and architectural purposes
• Manufacturing specialty glass, such as laboratory glassware and optical components
• Modernization or retrofitting of existing glass plants to enhance energy efficiency and yield
• Glass recycling plants, by incorporating cullet (glass shards) effectively into the process

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces overall energy consumption in the glass melting process, potentially lowering costs and carbon footprint
• Prevents undesirable agglomeration and dust formation that can damage equipment
• Allows the use of fine-grained raw materials and lightweight soda, which are less expensive and increase process flexibility
• Speeds up the melting process by facilitating earlier chemical reactions outside the main melting furnace
• Improves yield and quality of the final glass product by reducing unreacted residues
• Enables better use of available waste heat and integration with energy recovery systems

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing glass, wherein an aggregate mixture of raw materials is melted to form glass, comprising the following steps: providing raw materials and shards in sub-mixtures, wherein a sand-containing sand mixture is provided as a first sub-mixture and a soda-containing soda mixture is provided as a second sub-mixture, separately from a main mixture containing the remaining raw materials provided as the third sub-mixture, and mixed separately from a main mixture containing the remaining raw materials as the third sub-mixture; heating at least one of the sub-mixtures in at least one thermal zone, in particular in a common thermal zone or in separate thermal zones; mixing the sub-mixtures to form an aggregate mixture; and supplying the aggregate mixture to a melting tank for melting.