초록 ▼

Silica is reacted with sodium carbonate to form sodium silicate as a preliminary step in a glass melting process. Preferably, calcium carbonate-containing batch materials are calcined separately and then combined with the sodium silicate as liquefying is initiated. The materials may be substantially

Silica is reacted with sodium carbonate to form sodium silicate as a preliminary step in a glass melting process. Preferably, calcium carbonate-containing batch materials are calcined separately and then combined with the sodium silicate as liquefying is initiated. The materials may be substantially free of bubble-producing carbonates as the molten phase begins to form.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of making glass from batach materials including a silica source material, sodium carbonate, and a source of calcium, comprising: contacting a first portion of the silica sosurce material with the sodium carbonatae in a first pre-reaction zone at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient tim

A method of making glass from batach materials including a silica source material, sodium carbonate, and a source of calcium, comprising: contacting a first portion of the silica sosurce material with the sodium carbonatae in a first pre-reaction zone at a sufficient temperature for a sufficient time to form a product consisting predominantly of sodium silicate; heating a second portion of the silica source with a carbonate source of calcium in a second pre-reaction zone to at least a temperature sufficient to render the calcium source substantially free of carbonates; bringing the products at elevated temperataures from the first and second pre-reaction zones into contact with each other and heating the combined products in a third zone so as to initiate melting of glass.