A nanocomposite material that can withstand prolonged contact with molten glass and glass precursor melts may include a cermet substrate and a glass reaction material overlying the cermet substrate. The cermet substrate may include a refractory metal matrix and ceramic particles embedded in the refractory metal matrix, and the glass reaction material may be the reaction product of molten glass and the cermet substrate in an inert environment. The nanocomposite material can be used to construct any kind of structure, such as an impeller or a vessel liner, that may be exposed to molten glass or glass precursor melts.

A nanocomposite material that can withstand prolonged contact with molten glass and glass precursor melts may include a cermet substrate and a glass reaction material overlying the cermet substrate. The cermet substrate may include a refractory metal matrix and ceramic particles embedded in the refractory metal matrix, and the glass reaction material may be the reaction product of molten glass and the cermet substrate in an inert environment. The nanocomposite material can be used to construct any kind of structure, such as an impeller or a vessel liner, that may be exposed to molten glass or glass precursor melts.

A submerged combustion melting system includes a furnace including a tank with a floor, a roof, a perimeter wall, and an interior, and burners to melt glass feedstock into molten glass, a batch inlet, a molten glass outlet, and an exhaust outlet. An exhaust system is in fluid communication with the interior of the tank, and includes a flue in fluid communication with the exhaust outlet. A refractory-lined hood may be in fluid communication with the flue, which may be fluid-cooled including fluid-cooled perimeter panels and lower and upper baffles. The hood may include a protrusion that protrudes into a downstream horizontal exhaust path and has an excurvate upper surface to streamline flow of exhaust gas through the hood to prevent gas recirculation and formation of condensate piles in the hood.

A glass melting apparatus, such as a submerged combustion melter, has a housing that includes at least one wall, which may be liquid cooled. The wall includes an inner composite layer that faces an interior chamber of the melting apparatus and, in operation of the apparatus, contacts molten glass. The inner composite layer is comprised of a composite material that includes glass and clay and, additionally, may further include one or more of a refractory material, reinforcing fibers, an adhesion agent, or an atomizing agent. The wall of the housing may be provided by a plurality of panels with each panel providing a portion of the inner composite layer. A method of making the composite material from a castable material, which may be an aqueous slurry that includes water and a solids mixture, is also disclosed.