|
Glass Melting and Holding
|
|
Cermet Electrode Holders
|
|
Cermet electrode holders manufactured by Furnace Concepts are used in glass melting applications in place of
water-cooled moly-electrodes. This unique design allows for a glass seal to form between the Cermet protection
tube and the refractory wall. This seal solidifies in the refractory wall where the temperature is much lower.
Outside air is not able to penetrate this seal thus the electrode is shielded from any oxygen. The Cermet tube is
stable in air as it also is in molten glass.
|
|
Through the center of the Cermet
tube passes a smaller diameter moly terminal rod, which is
threaded into the Moly-tip at the transition point inside the
Cermet tube. A standard connection is made to the electrode on
the external terminal section.
|
The moly components are all protected from high temperature oxidation thus the need for water-cooling is
illuminated. Most anyone who has worked with the complicated installation, maintenance and high cost of water
cooled electrodes can agree this option is worth considering.
The energy savings and enhanced temperature uniformity of the glass are possibly the 2 biggest factors
supporting this technology.
Electrode holder assemblies are available in all shapes and sizes. Custom sizes are also possible. Installation of
the electrodes is also rather simple. The assembly is fed through the refractory passage and into the molten
glass until the Cermet tube is partially immersed into the molten glass. Once the Cermet tube is covered with
molten glass it is retracted back into the passage until the glass solidifies forming a air tight seal which protects
all the Moly components from oxidation thus no additional cooling is required.
|
|
Cermet Bubbler Tubes
|
A bubbler tube is used in molten glass process tanks where the injection of air at various locations in the molten
bath can enhance the quality of the glass and efficiency of production. The Cermet bubbler tube is made of high
purity (Molybdenumdisiliside) which is stable in the molten glass to temperatures of 2800° F. The material will
not dissolve or add any impurities or color to the molten glass.
|
|
By injecting air into the molten glass bath the temperature of the bath becomes more uniform. Without this
technique temperature variations 0f 400° F are common from top to bottom. In order to compensate for this
glass manufacturers increase the glass temperature to insure the molten state throughout. By using
|
|
bubbler tubes and the gas flow creates mild turbulence which will allow the temperature in certain areas to be reduced
thus reducing maintenance caused by excess temperatures. This can also reduce fuel consumption
simultaneously.
|
In all glass processes Bubbling promotes improved homogeneity which enhances many characteristics of the
finished clarity and color. This has a positive effect on production rates and yield.
Cermet bubbler tubes are available in many common sizes as well as special
diameters and lengths with varying flow characteristic.
|
|
|
|
|
