Glass continuous melting process in a glass melting furnace and glass melting furnace per se

摘要

According to the present invention, molten glass is clarified within a shallow clarification trough (2), in which the molten glass height ranges within 20 to 40 cm and in which a backflow of the molten glass is eliminated. A mean dwell value of the molten glass in the clarification trough (2) is in the range of 1 to 12 hours. The molten glass is subjected to vigorous clarification in a thin layer in close proximity of a preheating zone (3) bottom of the clarification trough (2) by applying alternating and/or direct electric current to heating electrodes (31, 32, 33) and/or by means of microwave energy. A furnace bridge (34) enhances the clarification process. Preferably, the molten glass melts in intensively heated deep and short melting zone (1) with mean holding time therein within 2 to 8 hours. The melting zone is preferably heated by heating electrodes (12, 13). The melting zone (1) sidewalls (11) are provided with a heat insulation (17) disposed at a certain distance from the surface thereof. Cooling air flows through a channel performed between the melting zone surface e and its heat insulation, while heated air is used for preheating a furnace charge. A preheating chamber (4) provided with hot air, and/or steam, and/or water fog, and/or combustion products inlets (45, 48) for preheating the furnace charge is situated above the melting zone (1). Said preheating chamber (4) is further provided with at least one grate (42) for retention of the charge in the preheating chamber or it may be equipped with fluidized bed (46) for preheating the charge. In such a manner the specific energy consumption of 0,4 kWh/kg (1440 kJ/kg) is achieved.