A batch feeding apparatus, a submerged combustion melter, and method are disclosed. The batch feeding apparatus can include a batch feeding apparatus comprising a detachable feeder alcove for providing batch material to a melter, the feeder alcove including at least one side wall and a cover; and a batch feeder sealingly coupled to the cover, that feeds the batch material to the feeder alcove. The batch feeding apparatus may include an extendable panel that extends downwardly below a batch inlet of the feeder alcove to molten glass, and is configured to maintain contact with the molten glass to seal off a feeder alcove interior. Additionally, the batch feeding apparatus may include a heating device, a cleaning device, and/or a storage device.

A batch feeding apparatus, a submerged combustion melter, and method are disclosed. The batch feeding apparatus can include a batch feeding apparatus comprising a detachable feeder alcove for providing batch material to a melter, the feeder alcove including at least one side wall and a cover; and a batch feeder sealingly coupled to the cover, that feeds the batch material to the feeder alcove. The batch feeding apparatus may include an extendable panel that extends downwardly below a batch inlet of the feeder alcove to molten glass, and is configured to maintain contact with the molten glass to seal off a feeder alcove interior. Additionally, the batch feeding apparatus may include a heating device, a cleaning device, and/or a storage device.

A bubbler device and method of its operation are disclosed. The bubbler device includes a bubbler tube that provides bubbles to a molten material in a furnace; a protective layer disposed on the bubbler tube; and a wire that is electrically coupled to the protective layer. The wire extends through the bore, and the protective layer and the wire partially form an electrical circuit for measuring integrity of the bubbler device based on at least one of conductivity or resistance in the electrical circuit. Sometimes, an inner protective material may be disposed on an inside surface of the tube and coupled to the protective layer, and the wire can be coupled to the inner protective material or multiple wires may be used. The use of dissimilar materials in these components may be used to form a thermocouple junction to measure the temperature of the molten material in a furnace.

A bubbler device and method of its operation are disclosed. The bubbler device includes a bubbler tube that provides bubbles to a molten material in a furnace; a protective layer disposed on the bubbler tube; and a wire that is electrically coupled to the protective layer. The wire extends through the bore, and the protective layer and the wire partially form an electrical circuit for measuring integrity of the bubbler device based on at least one of conductivity or resistance in the electrical circuit. Sometimes, an inner protective material may be disposed on an inside surface of the tube and coupled to the protective layer, and the wire can be coupled to the inner protective material or multiple wires may be used. The use of dissimilar materials in these components may be used to form a thermocouple junction to measure the temperature of the molten material in a furnace.

A method for producing glass by removing coloring ions through reduction is described, as are products obtained by this method.

Methods and systems for controlling bubble size and bubble decay rate of glass foams formed during submerged combustion melting. Flowing a molten mass of foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus has a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. The foamed glass has glass foam of glass foam bubbles on its top surface, and the downstream apparatus defines a space for a gaseous atmosphere above and in contact with the glass foam. The downstream apparatus includes heating components to heat or maintain temperature of the foamed glass. Adjusting composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam, and/or contacting the foam with a liquid or solid composition controls bubble size of the glass foam bubbles, and/or foam decay rate.

Methods and systems for controlling bubble size and bubble decay rate of glass foams formed during submerged combustion melting. Flowing a molten mass of foamed glass comprising molten glass and bubbles entrained therein into an apparatus downstream of a submerged combustion melter. The downstream apparatus has a floor, a roof, and a sidewall structure connecting the floor and roof. The foamed glass has glass foam of glass foam bubbles on its top surface, and the downstream apparatus defines a space for a gaseous atmosphere above and in contact with the glass foam. The downstream apparatus includes heating components to heat or maintain temperature of the foamed glass. Adjusting composition of the atmosphere above the glass foam, and/or contacting the foam with a liquid or solid composition controls bubble size of the glass foam bubbles, and/or foam decay rate.

A glass tank furnace having a length to width ratio of no less than 2.3 and no greater than 2.8. The glass tank furnace includes one or more weirs and a plurality of bubbling tubes provided on a bottom of the glass tank furnace. The plurality of bubbling tubes are disposed before, behind, or on the weirs.

A glass tank furnace having a length to width ratio of no less than 2.3 and no greater than 2.8. The glass tank furnace includes one or more weirs and a plurality of bubbling tubes provided on a bottom of the glass tank furnace. The plurality of bubbling tubes are disposed before, behind, or on the weirs.

An optical glass may be a phosphate based glass containing at least any one of oxides selected from TiO2, Nb2O5, WO3, and Bi2O2. The total content (HR) of the TiO2, Nb2O5, WO3, and Bi2O2 may be 35 mol % or above, the noble metal content may be less than 2.0 ppm, and the βOH value, given by the following general formula, may be 0.1 mm-1 or above: βOH=−[ln(B/A)]/t.