Patent ID: 6705117
Filing Date: 2004-03-16
Classification: C03B,F23C,F23D,F23L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of melting glass forming material in a glass melting furnace, said furnace having a back wall, breastwalls above sidewalls, and a downstream front wall connected to a roof, wherein at least one batch charger for charging glass forming batch material is contained in at least one of the back wall and the sidewall, comprising:providing at least one oxy-fuel burner in the roof of said furnace over said batch material, wherein said at least one oxy-fuel burner is adapted for staged combustion; providing a flow of fuel to said at least one oxy-fuel burner; providing a flow of gaseous oxidant in association with said at least one oxy-fuel burner; injecting the fuel and the oxidant into the furnace; and, combusting said fuel from at least said one oxy-fuel burner such that at least a portion of combustion is effected in the vicinity of said glass forming material to enhance convective and radiative transfer of heat to said glass forming material without substantially disturbing said glass forming material.