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 (108) including at least two flanges (112, 114) and a sealing member (118) disposed between the at least two flanges (112, 114) around an outer peripheral region of the flanges, thereby forming an enclosed volume between an outer wall (110) of the conduit, the at least two flanges (112, 114) and the sealing member (118). 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.

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for forming a glass article in which molten glass is heated in a refractory vessel defining a space interior to the refractory vessel. A precious metal component is exposed to the interior space. The apparatus includes first and second electrodes exposed to the interior space. A first electrical power source configured to supply a first electrical current is connected between the first and second electrodes. A second electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the first electrode or a first auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a second electrical current out-of-phase with the first electrical current. A third electrical power source is connected between the precious metal component and at least one of the second electrode or a second auxiliary electrode and configured to provide a third electrical current out-of-phase with the first electrical current.

Method and apparatus for removing bubbles from a molten substrate. The molten substrate from a furnace passes through a downtube to reach additional manufacturing tools, such as an extrusion bushing. One or more ultrasonic sensors are arranged along the downtube. The ultrasonic sensor(s) transmit ultrasonic energy into the molten substrate and measure a characteristic of the ultrasonic energy, such as a propagation time for the ultrasonic energy to be reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor(s). A bubble is detected when a change in the characteristic of the ultrasonic energy is detected. When a bubble is detected, flow through the downtube is diverted to a duct to remove a slug of molten substrate that includes the bubble.

Method and apparatus for removing bubbles from a molten substrate. The molten substrate from a furnace passes through a downtube to reach additional manufacturing tools, such as an extrusion bushing. One or more ultrasonic sensors are arranged along the downtube. The ultrasonic sensor(s) transmit ultrasonic energy into the molten substrate and measure a characteristic of the ultrasonic energy, such as a propagation time for the ultrasonic energy to be reflected back to the ultrasonic sensor(s). A bubble is detected when a change in the characteristic of the ultrasonic energy is detected. When a bubble is detected, flow through the downtube is diverted to a duct to remove a slug of molten substrate that includes the bubble.

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.

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.

The present invention relates to the field of forehearth fits, pearls, and/or concentrates for use in glass compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a system of forehearth frits, pearls, and/or concentrates that is capable of parting a fluorescent effect to a glass composition by adding a fluorescent glass fit, pearl or concentrate in the forehearth of a glass furnace, to form fluorescent glass and a method of using the fluorescent system of forehearth fits, pearls, and/or concentrates.

The present invention relates to the field of forehearth fits, pearls, and/or concentrates for use in glass compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a system of forehearth frits, pearls, and/or concentrates that is capable of parting a fluorescent effect to a glass composition by adding a fluorescent glass fit, pearl or concentrate in the forehearth of a glass furnace, to form fluorescent glass and a method of using the fluorescent system of forehearth fits, pearls, and/or concentrates.

Processes and systems for producing glass fibers having regions devoid of glass using submerged combustion melters, including feeding a vitrifiable feed material into a feed inlet of a melting zone of a melter vessel, and heating the vitrifiable material with at least one burner directing combustion products of an oxidant and a first fuel into the melting zone under a level of the molten material in the zone. One or more of the burners is configured to impart heat and turbulence to the molten material, producing a turbulent molten material comprising a plurality of bubbles suspended in the molten material, the bubbles comprising at least some of the combustion products, and optionally other gas species introduced by the burners. The molten material and bubbles are drawn through a bushing fluidly connected to a forehearth to produce a glass fiber comprising a plurality of interior regions substantially devoid of glass.

Processes and systems for producing glass fibers having regions devoid of glass using submerged combustion melters, including feeding a vitrifiable feed material into a feed inlet of a melting zone of a melter vessel, and heating the vitrifiable material with at least one burner directing combustion products of an oxidant and a first fuel into the melting zone under a level of the molten material in the zone. One or more of the burners is configured to impart heat and turbulence to the molten material, producing a turbulent molten material comprising a plurality of bubbles suspended in the molten material, the bubbles comprising at least some of the combustion products, and optionally other gas species introduced by the burners. The molten material and bubbles are drawn through a bushing fluidly connected to a forehearth to produce a glass fiber comprising a plurality of interior regions substantially devoid of glass.