초록 ▼

This invention pertains to improvements in the manufacture of soda-lime glass from pelletized glass batch material in which a major portion of the alkali metal oxide flux material (e.g. Na2O) in the final glass is derived from an alkali metal hydroxide (e.g. NaOH) and in which the alkali metal hydro

This invention pertains to improvements in the manufacture of soda-lime glass from pelletized glass batch material in which a major portion of the alkali metal oxide flux material (e.g. Na2O) in the final glass is derived from an alkali metal hydroxide (e.g. NaOH) and in which the alkali metal hydroxide is reacted with alkaline earth metal oxide source material during the preparation of the pelletized glass batch material. The improvements are obtained by reacting aqueous, concentrated, alkali metal hydroxide with at least a portion of the alkaline earth metal oxide source material (e.g. limestone) to form an aqueous slurry which contains the reaction products, then mixing with the slurry the remaining glass batch materials under conditions to assure thorough mixing and then pelletizing and heating the batch material at a temperature of at least about 145°C to assure substantially complete drying of the pellets and substantially complete reaction of the alkali metal hydroxide. Pellets thus made produce a more consistent batch material for feeding into a melting vessel in which molten glass is formed. The invention provides not only a more efficient glass making process, but also provides for salvaging heat energy and chemical values from the effluent gases of the melting furnace, thereby abating pollution.

대표청구항 ▼

A process for preparing a pelletized glass batch material suitable for soda-lime glass manufacture, said process comprising the sequential steps of reacting molten, concentrated, aqueous alkali metal hydroxide with an alkaline earth metal oxide source material by admixing them at a temperature in th

A process for preparing a pelletized glass batch material suitable for soda-lime glass manufacture, said process comprising the sequential steps of reacting molten, concentrated, aqueous alkali metal hydroxide with an alkaline earth metal oxide source material by admixing them at a temperature in the range of about 80°C. to about 160°C. thereby forming an aqueous slurry containing the so-formed reaction product, thoroughly admixing with the so-formed aqueous slurry, a mixture of alkaline earth metal oxide source material, silica, and desired minor processing ingredients, said admixing being done under conditions to substantially assure thorough distribution of the slurry materials throughout the mixture, pelletizing the mixture, and heating the so-formed pellets at a temperature of at least about 145°C. for a time sufficient to substantially dry the pellets and substantially completely react the alkali metal hydroxide.