Provided is a molten glass transfer device (3), including: a transfer pipe (P) through which molten glass (Gm) flows; a retaining brick (14), which is arranged on an outer peripheral side of the transfer pipe (P), and retains the transfer pipe (P); and a casing (16), which accommodates the transfer pipe (P) and the retaining brick (14), and includes a space (15) defined by the retaining brick (14). A cooling device (18) configured to cool the casing (16) is provided.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

Methods of processing molten material comprising the step (I) of flowing molten material through an interior of a conduit from a first station to a second station of a glass manufacturing apparatus and the step (II) of cooling the molten material within the interior of the conduit by passing a cooling fluid along an exterior of the conduit. The method further includes the step (III) of directing a travel path of the cooling fluid toward a vertical plane passing through the conduit. In further examples, a glass manufacturing apparatus comprises a first station, a second station, and a conduit configured to provide a travel path for molten material traveling from the first station to the second station. The glass manufacturing apparatus further comprises at least one baffle configured to direct a travel path of cooling fluid toward a vertical plane passing through the conduit.

Channel apparatus for use with submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One channel apparatus includes a flow channel defined by a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, the flow channel divided into sections by a series of skimmers. Channel apparatus include both high and low momentum combustion burners, with one or more high momentum combustion burners positioned immediately upstream of each skimmer in either the roof or sidewall structure, or both, and one or more low momentum combustion burners positioned immediately downstream of each skimmer in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and positioned to transfer heat to the molten mass of glass without substantial interference from foamed material. Certain embodiments include increased height of glass-contact refractory, in particular immediately upstream of the skimmers.

Channel apparatus for use with submerged combustion systems and methods of use to produce glass. One channel apparatus includes a flow channel defined by a floor, a roof, and a wall structure connecting the floor and roof, the flow channel divided into sections by a series of skimmers. Channel apparatus include both high and low momentum combustion burners, with one or more high momentum combustion burners positioned immediately upstream of each skimmer in either the roof or sidewall structure, or both, and one or more low momentum combustion burners positioned immediately downstream of each skimmer in either the roof, the sidewall structure, or both, and positioned to transfer heat to the molten mass of glass without substantial interference from foamed material. Certain embodiments include increased height of glass-contact refractory, in particular immediately upstream of the skimmers.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a refractory-lined glass melter, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. The glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O and Na.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F., and a T of at least 80 F. By using oxide-based refractory-lined furnaces the cost of production of glass fibers is substantially reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a platinum-lined melting furnace. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a glass melter substantially free of platinum or other noble metal materials, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. One glass composition for use in the present invention includes 50-75 weight % SiO.sub.2, 13-30 weight % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 5-20 weight % MgO, 0-10 weight % CaO, 0 to 5 weight % R.sub.2O where R.sub.2O is the sum of Li.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, has a higher fiberizing temperature, e.g. 2400-2900 F. (1316-1593 C.) and/or a liquidus temperature that is below the fiberizing temperature by as little as 45 F. (25 C.). Another glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F. (1454 C.), and a T of at least 80 F. (45 C.). A forehearth for transporting molten glass from the glass melter to a forming position is disclosed. By using furnaces and/or forehearths substantially free of platinum or other noble metal materials, the cost of production of glass fibers is significantly reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a melting furnace lined with noble metal materials. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.

A method of forming high strength glass fibers in a glass melter substantially free of platinum or other noble metal materials, products made there from and batch compositions suited for use in the method are disclosed. One glass composition for use in the present invention includes 50-75 weight % SiO.sub.2, 13-30 weight % Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 5-20 weight % MgO, 0-10 weight % CaO, 0 to 5 weight % R.sub.2O where R.sub.2O is the sum of Li.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, has a higher fiberizing temperature, e.g. 2400-2900 F. (1316-1593 C.) and/or a liquidus temperature that is below the fiberizing temperature by as little as 45 F. (25 C.). Another glass composition for use in the method of the present invention is up to about 64-75 weight percent SiO.sub.2, 16-24 weight percent Al.sub.2O.sub.3, 8-12 weight percent MgO and 0.25-3 weight percent R.sub.2O, where R.sub.2O equals the sum of Li.sub.2O, Na.sub.2O and K.sub.2O, has a fiberizing temperature less than about 2650 F. (1454 C.), and a T of at least 80 F. (45 C.). A forehearth for transporting molten glass from the glass melter to a forming position is disclosed. By using furnaces and/or forehearths substantially free of platinum or other noble metal materials, the cost of production of glass fibers is significantly reduced in comparison with the cost of fibers produced using a melting furnace lined with noble metal materials. High strength composite articles including the high strength glass fibers are also disclosed.