Patent ID: 8661852

Claim:
A method for the continuous fining of a glass melt ( 1 ), the method comprising: providing an apparatus ( 2 ) which defines a space for receiving the melt ( 1 ) and an atmosphere ( 6 a ) in contact with the melt ( 1 ), with at least one feed ( 3 a ) positioned at a side of the apparatus ( 2 ) and at least one discharge ( 3 b ), the glass melt ( 1 ) entering the apparatus ( 2 ) from the side through the feed ( 3 a ), wherein at least one section ( 20 ) of the apparatus ( 2 ) and/or of the feed ( 3 a ) and/or of the discharge ( 3 b ) at least partially has a melt contact surface ( 14 a ), and wherein the section ( 20 ) comprises iridium, the iridium-comprising section ( 20 ) being provided with an iridium content of from about 50 wt. % to about 100 wt. %; and heating at least the iridium-comprising section ( 20 ) of the apparatus ( 2 ) and/or of the feed ( 3 a ) and/or of the discharge ( 3 b ), wherein the apparatus ( 2 ) and/or the feed ( 3 a ) and/or the discharge ( 3 b ) is or are at least locally cooled so that a solidified glass melt ( 24 ) is formed which prevents direct attack by the melt ( 1 ) on the wall material.