A method and an apparatus for melting down glass are provided. The method includes using microwave radiation for at least part of the energy supply for melting for transforming a batch into a glass melt. The microwave radiation captures at least part of the transition between batch and primary melt. The method and apparatus include melting assembly with a melting tank which has walls within which both the batch for melting and the molten batch can be accommodated as a glass melt, where above the batch and above the glass melt there is at least one microwave-emitting source disposed.

The present invention relates to a high-generation TFT-LCD glass substrate production line. The production line includes a kiln, a large-flow precious metal channel, a tin bath, an annealing kiln, a cutting machine and an unloading machine connected in sequence. The present invention combines high-efficiency melting, clarification and homogenization of molten glass, ultrathin float forming and annealing process technologies of the TFT-LCD glass, which can produce the TFT-LCD glass substrates with large sizes such as 8.5 generations and 10.5/11 generations, which has the advantages of large product size, excellent product performance, coherent process procedures, high production efficiency, high productivity and the like.

The present invention relates to a high-generation TFT-LCD glass substrate production line. The production line includes a kiln, a large-flow precious metal channel, a tin bath, an annealing kiln, a cutting machine and an unloading machine connected in sequence. The present invention combines high-efficiency melting, clarification and homogenization of molten glass, ultrathin float forming and annealing process technologies of the TFT-LCD glass, which can produce the TFT-LCD glass substrates with large sizes such as 8.5 generations and 10.5/11 generations, which has the advantages of large product size, excellent product performance, coherent process procedures, high production efficiency, high productivity and the like.

Apparatuses for interfacing with an electrode provided with a melting furnace including a vessel and an electrode. In some embodiments, a support assembly (50) supports the electrode outside of the vessel, and includes a cart (102) or similar apparatus that permits or facilitates selective vertical movement of the electrode and selective transverse movement of the electrode. In some embodiments, a push assembly (52) interfaces with a rear face of the electrode outside of the vessel, and is operable to apply a pushing force onto the rear face. The push assembly can include one or more tracks (e.g., threaded screw) that supports a body between opposing arms of a fixed frame. The body can translate along the tracks to apply a pushing force onto the electrode.

An industrial furnace for melting materials is provided. The industrial furnace includes metal components, a refractory shell, and a fill. The refractory shell is positioned to cover an inner surface of the metal components such that one or more pockets are defined between the metal components and the refractory shell. The refractory shell has an inner surface that substantially defines a melting bath in which the materials are deposited for melting. The fill is disposed in each of the pockets. 90% to 99.5% of the fill is composed of one or more magnesia materials selected from the group consisting of dead-burned magnesia and fused magnesia.

A glass substrate of the present invention has a temperature at a viscosity at high temperature of 10.sup.2.5 dPa.Math.s of 1,650° C. or less, and an estimated viscosity Log η.sub.500 at 500° C. of 26.0 or more calculated by the equation Log η.sub.500=0.167×Ps−0.015×Ta−0.062×Ts−18.5.

A manufacturing method for a glass article includes a supply step of supplying a glass raw material onto a surface of a molten glass accommodated in a melting chamber of a glass melting furnace from a supply unit mounted to a front wall of the melting chamber, and a melting step of melting the supplied glass raw material through heating with an electrode immersed in the molten glass in the melting chamber. The method also includes an outflow step of causing the molten glass to flow outside the melting chamber from an outflow port provided at a rear wall of the melting chamber, wherein 60% to 95% of an area of the surface of the molten glass in the melting chamber is covered with the glass raw material supplied in the supply step.

A manufacturing method for a glass article includes a supply step of supplying a glass raw material onto a surface of a molten glass accommodated in a melting chamber of a glass melting furnace from a supply unit mounted to a front wall of the melting chamber, and a melting step of melting the supplied glass raw material through heating with an electrode immersed in the molten glass in the melting chamber. The method also includes an outflow step of causing the molten glass to flow outside the melting chamber from an outflow port provided at a rear wall of the melting chamber, wherein 60% to 95% of an area of the surface of the molten glass in the melting chamber is covered with the glass raw material supplied in the supply step.

The invention provides methods of making man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising providing an electric furnace having molybdenum electrodes, providing mineral raw material, wherein the mineral raw material comprises (a) particulate material that comprises metallic aluminium and (b) other mineral component, introducing the mineral raw material into the furnace, melting the mineral raw material to form a mineral melt, and forming MMVF from the mineral melt, with the benefit of reduced shrinkage of consolidated MMVF products.

The invention provides methods of making man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising providing an electric furnace having molybdenum electrodes, providing mineral raw material, wherein the mineral raw material comprises (a) particulate material that comprises metallic aluminium and (b) other mineral component, introducing the mineral raw material into the furnace, melting the mineral raw material to form a mineral melt, and forming MMVF from the mineral melt, with the benefit of reduced shrinkage of consolidated MMVF products.