Use of the Heat of Molten Glass Aided by Circulating Furnace Gases

Abstract

The use of the heat of cooling of molten glass in the through channels of a furnace in the production of container glass was examined. The use of an intermediate heat carrier — circulating furnace gases — makes it possible to reach high thermal uniformity, good regulation of the temperature of the molten glass, high rate of heat exchange, and flexibility in constructing thermal schemes. The use of the heat of the molten glass for steam conversion of the natural gas, which serves for heating the melting part of the furnace, makes it possible to reduce the overall fuel consumption by 5%. In obtaining steam via the heat of the melt in the through channel it is possible to generate about 16 kWh of electricity per ton of molten glass.