Patent ID: 8256245

Claim:
A method of melting a batch of raw materials for production of a glass, comprising the following steps: the batch is introduced into a furnace in a charging direction (D) parallel to a longitudinal central axis (X-X) of the furnace, distributing the batch substantially continuously and uniformly over a defined charging width (L), so as to form a layer of the batch on the surface of the melt; and an oxyfuel burner is placed above the melt in a vertical plane (P) including the axis (X-X) of the furnace, the burner being directed toward the batch layer so as to create a melting front of the batch present in the layer, the melting front being symmetrical with respect to the plane P, adjusting the parameters of the burner, carried out so that: the burner produces a flat flame having a horizontally elongate cross section; a plane containing a longitudinal section of the flame and a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axis (X-X) of the furnace intersects the batch melting front at a height (h) between one third and one half of the thickness (e) of the batch layer measured from the surface of the melt, and intersects the surface of the melt along a line perpendicular to the axis (X-X) of the furnace; and the flame produces a transfer of heat from the batch to the melting front essentially radiatively.