An assembly for pushing an electrode into a glass melting vessel can include a frame, a shaft, a pusher actuator, a contact mechanism, a master actuator, and a torque limiter. The contact mechanism can be attached to the shaft. The pusher actuator can be mounted to the frame and configured to cause translation of the shaft and the contact mechanism relative to the frame. The master actuator can be operatively connected to the pusher actuator such that operation of the master actuator causes operation of the pusher actuator. The torque limiter can be operatively connected between the master actuator and the pusher actuator, and can be configured to disengage when a rotational force on the master actuator exceeds a predetermined amount.

This invention relates to using a production glass furnace to melt waste glass and other glass constituents thereby providing a radiant heat source within the furnace to efficiently gasify organic waste materials recovered from a variety of waste streams to thereby produce a synthesis gas (Syngas) that is comprised mostly of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide that can be further refined and sold as a high value fuel. The gasification of the organic waste within the production glass furnace has minimal impact on the composition of the glass melt thus allowing for the production of the same range of glass products as if no organic waste was added to the furnace.

An assembly for pushing an electrode into a glass melting vessel can include a frame, a shaft, a pusher actuator, a contact mechanism, a master actuator, and a torque limiter. The contact mechanism can be attached to the shaft. The pusher actuator can be mounted to the frame and configured to cause translation of the shaft and the contact mechanism relative to the frame. The master actuator can be operatively connected to the pusher actuator such that operation of the master actuator causes operation of the pusher actuator. The torque limiter can be operatively connected between the master actuator and the pusher actuator, and can be configured to disengage when a rotational force on the master actuator exceeds a predetermined amount.