Methods and systems for melting or augmenting a melt rate of material in a melter using electromagnetic radiation with a frequency between 0.9 GHz and 10 GHz. In some examples, a power and/or frequency of radiation used may be selected so as to control a temperature of a cold cap in the melter while maintaining emissions from the melter below a threshold level. In this manner, examples described herein may provide for efficient and safe melting and vitrification of radioactive wastes.

A screw smelting machine melts raw materials with a different chemical ratio in a mixing funnel in a feeding order to prevent the long-range diffusion of a melt, and controls outflow at a suitable speed. A centrifugal casting machine solidifies the melt with the ingredients gradient varying into a radial ingredient gradient material by a centrifugal casting style. A temperature sensor monitors temperature of an outer surface of a centrifuge cavity of the centrifugal casting machine during centrifugal casting, and transmits the temperature to a control platform. The control platform determines an optimal flow rate of the melt at an end of screw rod according to ingredient gradient of ingredient radial-gradient pipe materials and a thickness of each component gradient material required with preparation, in combination with a real-time data fed back from the temperature sensor, and feeds back to a feeding end.

Provided is a glass manufacturing method in which temperature can be easily increased and decreased at a high speed and in which the productivity can be improved. A glass manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: making a melt 11 by melting a raw material disposed in a container 1; obtaining a glass by cooling the melt 11, in which the raw material contains a metal, and in the step of making the melt 11 from the raw material, the raw material is induction-heated.

A metal oxide barrier and a connecting method for solving the problems in which sectors of an existing cold crucible are connected by means of a mica plate and the mica plate is damaged due to arcing and the like and in which the sectors are strongly connected by means of the mica plate and thus are difficult to replace and maintain. A cold crucible, comprising a metal oxide barrier, according to the present invention can prevent arcing, enables reduction of damage on the edge part of a water cooling sector due to a molten material and thus enhances durability. Moreover, the metal oxide barrier can easily be replaced compared to an existing mica plate and thus enables easy maintenance and repair.

A glass article manufacturing system (10) includes a crucible (38) that defines a barrel (46) and a nozzle (54). The barrel (46) accepts a glass feedstock (62). A heater 66 is in thermal communication with the nozzle (54). The heater 66 heats the feedstock (62) within the nozzle (54). An actuator (22) is positioned proximate the barrel (46) and extrudes the feedstock (62) through the nozzle (54) as extruded feedstock.

Provided is a glass production method with which oxidation can be easily prevented and productivity can be increased. The glass production method includes a step of allowing a melt (11), which is obtained by melting a glass raw material, to flow into a mold (13) and a step of cooling the melt (11) to yield a glass (18). A partition member (16) is disposed in the mold (13), forming an inflow portion (17) surrounded by the mold (13) and the partition member (16). In the step of allowing the melt (11) to flow into the mold (13), the melt (11) flows into the inflow portion (17) while the mold (13) is moved relative to the partition member (16) to increase the capacity of the inflow portion (17).

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.

Provided is an induction heating device with which discharging can be easily avoided even when a large electric current is used. The induction heating device comprises a high-frequency power supply provided with a connection portion for an alternating-current power supply, and a heating coil portion connected to the high-frequency power supply. In the heating coil portion, a plurality of coils include n coils surrounding a cavity portion in a plane, wherein the plurality of coils are mutually connected in series via one of a plurality of capacitors.

A glass ceramic containing lithium-ions and having a garnet-like main crystal phase having an amorphous proportion of at least 5% is disclosed. The garnet-like main crystal phase preferably has the chemical formula Li.sub.7+xyM.sub.x.sup.IIM.sub.3x.sup.IIIM.sub.2y.sup.IVM.sub.y.sup.VO.sub.12, wherein M.sup.II is a bivalent cation, M.sup.III is a trivalent cation, M.sup.IV is a tetravalent cation, M.sup.V is a pentavalent cation. The glass ceramic is prepared by a melting technology preferably within a Skull crucible and has an ion conductivity of at least 5.Math.10.sup.5 S/cm, preferably of at least 1.Math.10.sup.4 S/cm.

Methods, systems and apparatus for producing continuous basalt fibers, microfibers, and microspheres from high temperature melts are disclosed. A cold crucible induction furnace is used to super heat crushed basalt rock to form a melt. The melt is cooled prior to forming a fiber. The fiber produced from the superheated melt possesses superior properties not found with conventional basalt fibers produced in gas furnaces. In some implementations, the superheated melt is spun into continuous basalt fibers. In some implementations, the superheated melt is blown into microfibers and microspheres.