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.

Rotary spinner apparatuses, systems and methods for producing fibers from molten materials are disclosed. Certain exemplary embodiments include rotary spinners including a hub, a slinger, an annular member, a retaining member, and a plurality of fasteners. In certain embodiments the hub, the retaining member, and the plurality of fasteners are structured to limit axial movement of the annular member relative to the hub member and to allow radial expansion and contraction of the annular member relative to the hub member. In certain embodiments the annular member is structured to contact the hub at a plurality of contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub at a plurality of gap areas. In certain embodiments the slinger is structured to contact the hub at a plurality of contact areas and is spaced apart from the hub at a plurality of gap areas.

An internal combustion burner including a combustion chamber supplied with fuel and with oxidant and at least two combustion devices supplied with oxidant and with fuel. Combining two combustion devices of distinct configurations, which respectively generate two distinct types of flames with a system for cooling the walls of the burner by introducing air along the walls, makes it possible to obtain a burner that supplies a combustion gas temperature of up to 1700 C., while at the same time being easily cooled and occupying very little space so that it can, for example, be housed in an existing installation used in the manufacture of rock wool or glass wool.

A thermal insulation product includes a mineral wool, the mineral wool including mineral fibers, the fibers having a fiber length population distribution such that the median fiber length by number of the distribution is less than or equal to 2 mm, and that at least 10% of the number population has a fiber length strictly greater than 1.5 mm and, the product including at least one additive, the product having a weight percent of the total of the at least one additive of between 0.4% and 1.2% inclusive.

A method of and an arrangement for recycling mineral wool waste to mineral wool production includes at least one melting furnace for melting virgin mineral wool raw material, the melting furnace including an inlet for virgin mineral wool raw material and an outlet for molten mineral wool material, a production line connected to the outlet for molten mineral wool material for producing a mineral wool product from the molten mineral wool material. The production line includes a curing oven, a fluidized bed reactor including an exhaust gas duct, an inlet for predetermined primary fuel, an inlet for predetermined bed material, and an outlet for an ash material, the ash material including bottom ash discharged via a bottom outlet from the fluidized bed reactor or fly ash separated by a particle separator from exhaust gas in the exhaust gas duct or a mixture of the bottom ash and the fly ash.

A method of and an arrangement for recycling mineral wool waste to mineral wool production includes at least one melting furnace for melting virgin mineral wool raw material, the melting furnace including an inlet for virgin mineral wool raw material and an outlet for molten mineral wool material, a production line connected to the outlet for molten mineral wool material for producing a mineral wool product from the molten mineral wool material. The production line includes a curing oven, a fluidized bed reactor including an exhaust gas duct, an inlet for predetermined primary fuel, an inlet for predetermined bed material, and an outlet for an ash material, the ash material including bottom ash discharged via a bottom outlet from the fluidized bed reactor or fly ash separated by a particle separator from exhaust gas in the exhaust gas duct or a mixture of the bottom ash and the fly ash.

A curable aqueous binder composition comprising sheared or extruded cross linked starch particles and a crosslinking agent for use in the formation of composite materials such as mineral, natural organic or synthetic fiber products including mineral fiber insulation, non-woven mats, fiberglass insulation and related glass fiber products as well as wood based products and construction materials. In one application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be blended with a second non-formaldehyde resin to make fiberglass insulation. In another application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be mixed into a formaldehyde based resin to make fiberglass roof shingles.

A curable aqueous binder composition comprising sheared or extruded cross linked starch particles and a crosslinking agent for use in the formation of composite materials such as mineral, natural organic or synthetic fiber products including mineral fiber insulation, non-woven mats, fiberglass insulation and related glass fiber products as well as wood based products and construction materials. In one application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be blended with a second non-formaldehyde resin to make fiberglass insulation. In another application the curable aqueous starch binder composition may be mixed into a formaldehyde based resin to make fiberglass roof shingles.

An apparatus for manufacturing mineral wool includes means for producing molten mineral material, and a fiberizing device for forming fibers, into which fiberizing device the molten mineral material is fed and by which fibers are formed. The fiberizing device has, rotationally arranged around a vertical axis, at least one fiberizing plate with a vertical peripheral edge, into which are formed numerous small-sized holes, through which the molten material is led by centrifugal force to form fibers. Into the fiberizing device are arranged elements to produce a vertical flow of blowing medium to be led around the fiberizing plate, the flow causing the fibers to turn downwards and, at the same time, to thin. Downstream the fiberizing device is arranged a collection device, into which the formed fibers are led and collected into a mat-like material. In connection with said at least one fiberizing plate is arranged a substantially horizontal, relatively narrow channel, through which the fibers are brought into the chamber space of the collection device. A method for manufacturing mineral wool and a mineral wool product manufactured by the method are also disclosed.

A method for waste-free production of mineral wool insulation material products, in which insulation material product is produced in a first production area in a plurality of processing steps and granular and fibrous production waste, produced during the storage and transportation of the mineral input materials and after the melt emerges from a cupola, electric arc, or gas-fired melting furnace, are accumulated, shredded and fed to an inductively heated melting furnace in a second production area. The extracted melt is processed with known processing steps to form an insulation material product. The granular and fibrous shredded production waste formed in the second production area is fed to the inductively heated melting furnace as a component of the feed material. Mineral input materials, such as basalt, dolomite and mineral wool waste, which do not originate in either production area, can also be fed to the inductively heated melting furnace.