A method of reducing bubble lifetime on the free surface of a volume of molten glass contained within or flowing through a vessel including a free volume above the free surface, thereby minimizing re-entrainment of the bubbles back into the volume of molten glass and reducing the occurrence of blisters in finished glass products.

A method of reducing bubble lifetime on the free surface of a volume of molten glass contained within or flowing through a vessel including a free volume above the free surface, thereby minimizing re-entrainment of the bubbles back into the volume of molten glass and reducing the occurrence of blisters in finished glass products.

Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.

Methods and apparatus for producing fibers from igneous rock, including basalt include heating igneous rock by electrical conductive coils to achieve an homogenous melt and forming homogenous fibers from the melt.

An apparatus and method for producing a glass article includes a melting vessel, a fining vessel located downstream from the melting vessel, and a bubbling vessel that is downstream from the melting vessel and upstream from the fining vessel. The fining vessel may include at least a first zone and a second zone downstream from the first zone, wherein the average temperature of the first zone is higher than the average temperature of the second zone.

An apparatus and method for producing a glass article includes a melting vessel, a fining vessel located downstream from the melting vessel, and a bubbling vessel that is downstream from the melting vessel and upstream from the fining vessel. The fining vessel may include at least a first zone and a second zone downstream from the first zone, wherein the average temperature of the first zone is higher than the average temperature of the second zone.

Disclosed is an apparatus for conditioning molten glass. The apparatus includes a connecting tube assembly having a conduit for conveying the molten glass, the conduit including at least two flanges and a sealing member disposed between the at least two flanges around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall of the conduit, the at least two flanges and the sealing member. An atmosphere within the volume may be controlled such that a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen or a predetermined partial pressure of oxygen may be maintained within the volume. A current may be established between the at least two flanges to heat the conduit.

Disclosed is an apparatus for conditioning molten glass. The apparatus includes a connecting tube assembly having a conduit for conveying the molten glass, the conduit including at least two flanges and a sealing member disposed between the at least two flanges around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall of the conduit, the at least two flanges and the sealing member. An atmosphere within the volume may be controlled such that a predetermined partial pressure of hydrogen or a predetermined partial pressure of oxygen may be maintained within the volume. A current may be established between the at least two flanges to heat the conduit.

According to the present invention, provided is a heater including a heat generating member being conductive and configured to radiate heat rays by being fed with electric power, a tubular member constituted by a metal and accommodating the heat generating member, and an intermediate member arranged between the heat generating member and the tubular member and constituted by an electrically insulating material, wherein the intermediate member is arranged and/or configured to allow, among the heat rays radiated from the heat generating member, at least light having a wavelength of from 1 m to 2 m to pass through the intermediate member to reach the tubular member.

An apparatus and method for producing a glass article includes a melting vessel, a fining vessel located downstream from the melting vessel, and a bubbling vessel that is downstream from the melting vessel and upstream from the fining vessel. The fining vessel may include at least a first zone and a second zone downstream from the first zone, wherein the average temperature of the first zone is higher than the average temperature of the second zone.