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A method of and apparatus for directing and regulating the flow of combustion air to opposite ends of the regenerators of a regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace so as to minimize localized overheating and more uniformly heat the checkerworks of the regenerators, thereby improving the operati

A method of and apparatus for directing and regulating the flow of combustion air to opposite ends of the regenerators of a regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace so as to minimize localized overheating and more uniformly heat the checkerworks of the regenerators, thereby improving the operating efficiency and prolonging the useful life thereof. To accomplish these ends, a substantial portion of the combustion air supplied to the regenerators is delivered to their downstream ends while a lesser portion is supplied to their upstream ends by ducts which include valves for cycling and a damper for apportioning the amount of combustion air flowing to opposite ends of the regenerators.

대표청구항 ▼

In a method of supplying combustion air to the elongated regenerators spaced along each side of a regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace for improving their operating efficiency, the tank having a charging end to which batch materials are supplied and a delivery end from which molten glass is

In a method of supplying combustion air to the elongated regenerators spaced along each side of a regenerative tank-type glass melting furnace for improving their operating efficiency, the tank having a charging end to which batch materials are supplied and a delivery end from which molten glass is withdrawn, the regenerators being in communication with a plurality of ports spaced along the furnace and of the type including elongated checker brick structures having plenum chambers spaced above and below and extending throughout the length of the checker brick structures and with an upstream end toward the charging end of said tank and a downstream end toward the delivery end thereof, wherein incoming combustion air is admitted to the lower plenum chamber and rises through the checker brick structure to the upper plenum chamber during the firing cycle of the furnace, the improvement comprising the steps of: a. simultaneously supplying combustion air to both ends of the lower plenum chamber of the regenerator supplying combustion air to the furnace during the firing cycle; b. admitting a substantial portion of the combustion air into the downstream end of the lower plenum chamber of the regenerator; and c. admitting a lesser portion of the combustion air into the upstream end of the lower plenum chamber of said regenerator whereby the opposed flow of combustion air tends to minimize localized overheating and equalize the operating temperatures of said regenerator throughout its length. In a reversing regenerative glass melting furnace of the type comprising a tank wherein batch materials are supplied at a charging end and molten glass is withdrawn at a delivery end, and including a melting zone having a plurality of ports spaced along each of two opposite sides thereof, each said plurality of spaced ports being connected to an elongated regenerator extending along the side of said furnace with an upstream end toward the charging end of said tank and a downstream end toward the delivery end thereof, said regenerator being alternately placed in communication with a source of combustion air during its firing cycle and an exhaust flue during its exhaust cycle, the improvement comprising: a. combustion air inlet means at each said end of said regenerator; b. means for supplying a substantial portion of the combustion air through said inlet means to the downstream end of the regenerator during its firing cycle; and c. means for supplying a lesser portion of the combustion air through said inlet means to the upstream end of said regenerator during the firing cycle whereby the opposed flow of combustion air tends to minimize localized overheating and equalize temperatures throughout the length of said regenerator.