A Novel Glass Furnace Combining The Best Of Oxy-Fuel And Air-Fuel Melting

A novel furnace concept has been developed that combines oxy-fuel combustion over the unmelted batch and air-fuel combustion downstream. This hybrid furnace offers a number of advantages over both air-fuel and oxy-fuel furnaces. As compared to air-fuel, the hybrid furnace technology provides increased production, improved glass quality, fuel savings, better furnace temperature control, and a more stable batch pattern. As compared to 100% oxy-fuel, the hybrid furnace delivers similar production levels, improved glass quality, reduced levels of foam on the glass surface, and lower overall oxygen costs. The end result is that the hybrid furnace provides the means to achieve the lowest overall glass melting cost.