In illustrative implementations of this invention, a crucible kiln heats glass such that the glass becomes or remains molten. A nozzle extrudes the molten glass while one or more actuators actuate movements of the nozzle, a build platform or both. A computer controls these movements such that the extruded molten glass is selectively deposited to form a 3D glass object. The selective deposition of molten glass occurs inside an annealing kiln. The annealing kiln anneals the glass after it is extruded. In some cases, the actuators actuate the crucible kiln and nozzle to move in horizontal x, y directions and actuate the build platform to move in a z-direction. In some cases, fluid flows through a cavity or tubes adjacent to the nozzle tip, in order to cool the nozzle tip and thereby reduce the amount of glass that sticks to the nozzle tip.

In illustrative implementations of this invention, a crucible kiln heats glass such that the glass becomes or remains molten. A nozzle extrudes the molten glass while one or more actuators actuate movements of the nozzle, a build platform or both. A computer controls these movements such that the extruded molten glass is selectively deposited to form a 3D glass object. The selective deposition of molten glass occurs inside an annealing kiln. The annealing kiln anneals the glass after it is extruded. In some cases, the actuators actuate the crucible kiln and nozzle to move in horizontal x, y directions and actuate the build platform to move in a z-direction. In some cases, fluid flows through a cavity or tubes adjacent to the nozzle tip, in order to cool the nozzle tip and thereby reduce the amount of glass that sticks to the nozzle tip.

A feeding device for a glass melting plant, having a sealing device and at least one movement device, the movement device executing a cyclical movement during operation of the feeding device, and being guided along at least one feedthrough through the sealing device. Adjacent to an open area of each feedthrough at least one gas nozzle is situated on the side of the sealing device facing away from the glass melting plant in such a way that the gas flowing out from the at least one gas nozzle reduces the quantity of dust and/or exhaust gases that moves out of the glass melting plant through the respective feedthrough to the side of the sealing device facing away from the glass melting plant.

A feeding device for a glass melting plant, having a sealing device and at least one movement device, the movement device executing a cyclical movement during operation of the feeding device, and being guided along at least one feedthrough through the sealing device. Adjacent to an open area of each feedthrough at least one gas nozzle is situated on the side of the sealing device facing away from the glass melting plant in such a way that the gas flowing out from the at least one gas nozzle reduces the quantity of dust and/or exhaust gases that moves out of the glass melting plant through the respective feedthrough to the side of the sealing device facing away from the glass melting plant.

Methods of melting particulate feedstocks in a submerged combustion melter employing an arrangement of one or more submerged combustion burners emitting combustion products into turbulent molten material. Operating the burners such that there is established a turbulent melting region extending vertically from the floor to a splash region, the splash region extending vertically between the turbulent melting region and a head space region, the head space region extending vertically between the splash region and the melter ceiling, the ceiling positioned above the floor a height H2. Feeding the particulate feedstock into the splash region through one or more inlet ports, the inlet ports positioned at a height H1 measured from the floor, where H1/H2 ranges from about 0.33 to about 0.67. The SCM may have a baffle extending from the ceiling into the splash region. A particulate feedstock conduit may be employed, having an exit port in the splash region.

Methods of melting particulate feedstocks in a submerged combustion melter employing an arrangement of one or more submerged combustion burners emitting combustion products into turbulent molten material. Operating the burners such that there is established a turbulent melting region extending vertically from the floor to a splash region, the splash region extending vertically between the turbulent melting region and a head space region, the head space region extending vertically between the splash region and the melter ceiling, the ceiling positioned above the floor a height H2. Feeding the particulate feedstock into the splash region through one or more inlet ports, the inlet ports positioned at a height H1 measured from the floor, where H1/H2 ranges from about 0.33 to about 0.67. The SCM may have a baffle extending from the ceiling into the splash region. A particulate feedstock conduit may be employed, having an exit port in the splash region.

The invention relates to methods and devices for melting furnaces, conveying paths and conveying means for the melt, the melt product and for any type of discharges from a melting furnace and transportation means for the melt, with an extended service life, which in the case of a complete screen, that is to say in the optimum situation, may also be infinite, and/or with increased purity of the melt. This is achieved by the pushing-through or rotating-through of screens, clinkers, coatings, linings, etc., that is to say solid materials which are situated between the melt or melt product or the discharges and the materials situated behind the same which counteract the pressure of the melt, of the melt product or the discharges, for example walls. Here, new pieces of the screens etc. may be added at one free end, and used or worn pieces of the screens can be removed or withdrawn at another free end.

The invention relates to methods and devices for melting furnaces, conveying paths and conveying means for the melt, the melt product and for any type of discharges from a melting furnace and transportation means for the melt, with an extended service life, which in the case of a complete screen, that is to say in the optimum situation, may also be infinite, and/or with increased purity of the melt. This is achieved by the pushing-through or rotating-through of screens, clinkers, coatings, linings, etc., that is to say solid materials which are situated between the melt or melt product or the discharges and the materials situated behind the same which counteract the pressure of the melt, of the melt product or the discharges, for example walls. Here, new pieces of the screens etc. may be added at one free end, and used or worn pieces of the screens can be removed or withdrawn at another free end.

A feed assembly having a hollow tubular body and a batch charger disposed within the hollow tubular body is disclosed. The hollow tubular body extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end and, further, comprises a port that tapers from a first port end to a second port end at the second end of the tubular body. The batch charger includes a first charger end proximate the first end of the tubular body and a second charger end proximate the second end of the tubular body. The second charger end is spaced away from the second end of the tubular body to provide a port space within the port. An apparatus that includes a melting chamber and a feed assembly is also disclosed along with a method of feeding batch materials into a melting chamber.

A feed assembly having a hollow tubular body and a batch charger disposed within the hollow tubular body is disclosed. The hollow tubular body extends along a central axis from a first end to a second end and, further, comprises a port that tapers from a first port end to a second port end at the second end of the tubular body. The batch charger includes a first charger end proximate the first end of the tubular body and a second charger end proximate the second end of the tubular body. The second charger end is spaced away from the second end of the tubular body to provide a port space within the port. An apparatus that includes a melting chamber and a feed assembly is also disclosed along with a method of feeding batch materials into a melting chamber.