Patent ID: 8336335

Claim:
A method for obtaining molten glass by melting vitrifiable materials in a melting chamber defined by an upstream wall, a downstream wall, side walls, a hearth and a roof and having a length L and an internal surface area of less than or equal to 200 m 2 , said chamber having an upstream zone beside the upstream wall, a downstream zone beside the downstream wall and having a longitudinal axis that extends between the upstream wall and the downstream wall, said method comprising the steps of: a) the vitrifiable materials are charged into the upstream zone, b) the vitrifiable materials are melted to obtain molten glass by providing melting energy in the melting chamber, at least 70% of the melting energy being provided by: i) supplying two oxy-burners with fuel and oxidant, said oxidant having an oxygen content of at least 70% v/v, and ii) injecting fuel and oxidant into the melting chamber with said two oxy-burners so as to create two flames having an injection axis and fumes, the two oxy-burners emerging in the melting chamber through the upstream wall and being situated on opposite sides of a vertical plane in which a longitudinal axis of the melting chamber is situated; c) molten glass is discharged from the downstream zone, and d) fumes are discharged from the melting chamber by means of at least one opening for discharging fumes, wherein: the injection axes of the two flames meet at a distance d from the upstream wall between ⅓ and ¾ of the length L.