Patent ID: 6739152
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: C03B,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus for melting and refining vitrifiable materials wherein substantially all thermal energy necessary for melting the vitrifiable materials is supplied by combustion of fuel with at least one oxidizer gas, the apparatus comprising:at least one melting chamber comprising burners adapted to be fed with fuel and with an oxidizing gas, said burners being placed in the at least one melting chamber such that the fuel or oxidizing gas, or gases resulting from their combustion, are injected into the at least one melting chamber at a position below the surface of vitrifiable materials in the said melting chamber leading to a foaming of molten vitrifiable materials; and at least one refining compartment downstream of the melting chamber in a direction of flow of the vitrifiable materials, said at least one refining compartment comprising at least one subatmospheric-pressure zone.