An apparatus and method of refining molten glass are disclosed. An upstream vessel contains molten glass, a downstream vessel is arranged downstream of the upstream vessel, and vacuum refining vessels are located between the upstream vessel and the downstream vessel and are in separate, alternating fluid communication with the upstream vessel and in separate, alternating fluid communication with the downstream vessel.

A gradient fining tank and a method of operating the tank to refine foamy molten glass is disclosed. The gradient fining tank includes a floor, a roof, and two laterally-spaced sidewalls that at least partially define an interior chamber of the tank. The floor of the tank is profiled to provide the tank with an extended shallow portion that defines an inlet to the interior chamber and a deep holding portion that defines an outlet from the interior chamber. An entry section of the floor provides the extended shallow portion of the tank and a transition section and exit section of the floor provide the deep holding portion. A depth of the interior chamber at an outlet end of the deep holding portion is greater than a depth of the interior chamber at the outlet end of the extended shallow portion.

Methods and apparatus are provided for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures formed of refractory components, by positioning opposed pairs of vertically oriented base beams on respective opposite sides of the refractory structure and having a lower end rigidly attached to a foundation of the refractory structure and an upper end which extends vertically above the refractory structure, and attaching cross-support beams to respective ones of the base beams at the upper end thereof so as to latitudinally span the refractory structure. An overhead crane assembly may thus be supported by the cross-support beams.

Methods and apparatus are provided for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures formed of refractory components, by positioning opposed pairs of vertically oriented base beams on respective opposite sides of the refractory structure and having a lower end rigidly attached to a foundation of the refractory structure and an upper end which extends vertically above the refractory structure, and attaching cross-support beams to respective ones of the base beams at the upper end thereof so as to latitudinally span the refractory structure. An overhead crane assembly may thus be supported by the cross-support beams.

A submerged combustion melting system (90) includes a submerged combustion melter (100) having a housing (102) that defines a melting chamber (104) and one or more vibration damping devices (340) operatively coupled to the housing (102).

A submerged combustion melting system (90) includes a submerged combustion melter (100) having a housing (102) that defines a melting chamber (104) and one or more vibration damping devices (340) operatively coupled to the housing (102).

Methods and apparatus for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures having walls formed of refractory block and buck stays externally supporting the walls are provided. Opposed pairs of supports are connected to at least a respective one of the vertically oriented buck stays with cross-support beams spanning the refractory structure between a respective pair of the supports. An overhead crane assembly is supported by the cross-support beams. In such a manner, refractory components of the refractory structure (e.g., refractory wall blocks and/or refractory checker bricks) may be installed using the overhead crane assembly.

Methods and apparatus for constructing refractory structures, e.g., glass furnace regenerator structures and/or glass furnace structures having walls formed of refractory block and buck stays externally supporting the walls are provided. Opposed pairs of supports are connected to at least a respective one of the vertically oriented buck stays with cross-support beams spanning the refractory structure between a respective pair of the supports. An overhead crane assembly is supported by the cross-support beams. In such a manner, refractory components of the refractory structure (e.g., refractory wall blocks and/or refractory checker bricks) may be installed using the overhead crane assembly.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of glass manufacturing apparatuses. The glass manufacturing apparatuses may include a glass fining module. The glass fining module may include a refractory metal vessel comprising a length extending in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of insulation layers may surround at least a portion of the refractory metal vessel. The plurality of insulation layers may comprise an insulation structure extending around at least a portion of the refractory metal vessel and comprising a plurality of arched portions and a bulk insulation structure surrounding the insulation structure. An exterior support structure may at least partially surround the plurality of insulation layers. Rollers may be coupled to the exterior support structure such that the glass fining module is translatable in the longitudinal direction on the rollers.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of glass manufacturing apparatuses. The glass manufacturing apparatuses may include a glass fining module. The glass fining module may include a refractory metal vessel comprising a length extending in a longitudinal direction. A plurality of insulation layers may surround at least a portion of the refractory metal vessel. The plurality of insulation layers may comprise an insulation structure extending around at least a portion of the refractory metal vessel and comprising a plurality of arched portions and a bulk insulation structure surrounding the insulation structure. An exterior support structure may at least partially surround the plurality of insulation layers. Rollers may be coupled to the exterior support structure such that the glass fining module is translatable in the longitudinal direction on the rollers.