An energy-efficient device for refining a glass melt to produce a glass and/or a glass ceramic is provided. The device includes a refining crucible defined at least by lateral walls with a metallic lining as a melt contact surface, so that a melt refining volume is defined by a base surface, a top surface and a circumferential surface; at least one heating device that conductively heats the lining by an electric current in the lining, so that the melt is heated through the lining, the heating device and the lining are connected to one another by a feeding device. The feeding device establishes contact with the lining so that an electric current runs from the top surface to the base surface or from the base surface to the top surface, at least in sections of the lining.

A process and an apparatus for refining molten glass that includes a housing having a vertically oriented longitudinal axis and a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Molten glass is received at an upper end of the housing and is discharged from a lower end of the housing. A guide extends at least partway across the housing and directs molten glass in a generally downward direction through the housing and in a parallel or oblique direction relative to the transverse axis of the housing.

Apparatus, systems and methods for refining molten glass include a fining chamber having a refractory floor and a sidewall structure that may include a refractory liner, and includes an inlet transition region having increasing width from initial to a final width, and depth decreasing from an initial to final depth. The floor includes a raised curb having width equal to final width of the inlet transition region, curb length less than the length of the inlet transition region, and curb height forming a shallowest depth portion of the fining chamber. The raised curb separates the fining chamber into the inlet transition region and a primary fining region, the primary fining region defined by the refractory floor and sidewall structure. The primary fining region has a constant depth greater than the shallowest depth but less than the depth of the inlet transition region.

Apparatus, systems and methods for refining molten glass include a fining chamber having a refractory floor and a sidewall structure that may include a refractory liner, and includes an inlet transition region having increasing width from initial to a final width, and depth decreasing from an initial to final depth. The floor includes a raised curb having width equal to final width of the inlet transition region, curb length less than the length of the inlet transition region, and curb height forming a shallowest depth portion of the fining chamber. The raised curb separates the fining chamber into the inlet transition region and a primary fining region, the primary fining region defined by the refractory floor and sidewall structure. The primary fining region has a constant depth greater than the shallowest depth but less than the depth of the inlet transition region.

Described herein are systems and methods for heating and melting glass through the use of induction based heating and methods for forming a fiberglass strand. An exemplary induction melter system for melting glass can include a melting vessel and a heated drain. The melting vessel can include a crucible, a first induction coil positioned around at least a portion of the crucible, and a first electromagnetic current generator coupled to the first induction coil. The heated drain can be coupled to the melting vessel, and the heated drain can include a drain tube, a second induction coil positioned around at least a portion of the drain tube, and a second electromagnetic current generator coupled to the second induction coil.

Described herein are systems and methods for heating and melting glass through the use of induction based heating and methods for forming a fiberglass strand. An exemplary induction melter system for melting glass can include a melting vessel and a heated drain. The melting vessel can include a crucible, a first induction coil positioned around at least a portion of the crucible, and a first electromagnetic current generator coupled to the first induction coil. The heated drain can be coupled to the melting vessel, and the heated drain can include a drain tube, a second induction coil positioned around at least a portion of the drain tube, and a second electromagnetic current generator coupled to the second induction coil.

Low-carbon monolithic refractories are provided. Methods of manufacturing glass employing low-carbon monolithic refractories are also provided. Methods and apparatuses for glass manufacture for reducing the formation of carbon dioxide blisters during glass manufacture are also provided.

Low-carbon monolithic refractories are provided. Methods of manufacturing glass employing low-carbon monolithic refractories are also provided. Methods and apparatuses for glass manufacture for reducing the formation of carbon dioxide blisters during glass manufacture are also provided.

A prefmer (28) is described and includes a chamber (34) for receiving molten glass exiting a submerged combustion melter. The prefmer (28) also includes a foam breaker (36) and an exit conduit (38). The molten glass holding chamber includes a top portion (42), a bottom portion (40), and an enclosing sidewall (44). The top portion (42) includes an opening to accommodate the foam breaker (36), which is positioned to break the glass bubbles within the chamber. The exit conduit (38) resides within the chamber (34) and is in fluid communication with an outlet (68) in the sidewall (44) The exit conduit (38) is positioned to permit molten glass to flow from the lower section of the chamber to the outlet (68) and to the next stage of processing, typically a finer.

A prefmer (28) is described and includes a chamber (34) for receiving molten glass exiting a submerged combustion melter. The prefmer (28) also includes a foam breaker (36) and an exit conduit (38). The molten glass holding chamber includes a top portion (42), a bottom portion (40), and an enclosing sidewall (44). The top portion (42) includes an opening to accommodate the foam breaker (36), which is positioned to break the glass bubbles within the chamber. The exit conduit (38) resides within the chamber (34) and is in fluid communication with an outlet (68) in the sidewall (44) The exit conduit (38) is positioned to permit molten glass to flow from the lower section of the chamber to the outlet (68) and to the next stage of processing, typically a finer.