US3960532A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preparing alkali metal silicate glass with bubbles
Assignee: PQ Corp
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Filing: 1975-05-29
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Granted: 1976-06-01
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Expires: 1995-05-29
Abstract
Abstract Improved production of alkali metal silicate glass is achieved by vigorous steam bubbling through the molten glass bed during the preparation of glass by fusion. Such practice results in higher production using less fuel and the product glass is easier to dissolve and results in solutions of greater clarity.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J. Lazet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:37
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B33/00; C01B33/20; C01B33/32; C03; C03B; C03B19/00; C03B19/08; C03B3/00; C03B5/00; C03B5/16; C03B5/18; C03B5/193; C03C; C03C3/00; C03C3/04; C03C3/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
The process for producing alkali metal silicate glass having a mol ratio of 1.5 to 4.5 parts of SiO 2 per part of M 2 O wherein M is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and mixtures of sodium and potassium and containing 0.05 to 2% water and sufficient bubbles to promote fracturing, comprising the steps of: a. charging raw materials, sources of alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and mixtures of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, and a source of silica such as sand into an open hearth furnace with a bed area for fusion reactions, equipped with a draw hole and charging ports; b. maintaining the temperature within said furnace above 1093°C so that a bed of molten silicate glass is formed and the unreacted raw materials float on said molten glass bed; c. introducing dry saturated steam under pressure into the molten glass through bubbling means located in the furnace bed area so that bubbles of steam pass from the bottom of said molten glass bed to the top, the pressure of said steam being regulated to produce bubbles 8 to 18 inches (20.3 to 45.7 cm) in diameter breaking the surface of the molten blass at a rate of 5 to 20 bubbles per second; and d. withdrawing said molten glass from the furnace.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
The process for producing alkali metal silicate glass having a mol ratio of 1.5 to 4.5 parts of SiO 2 per part of M 2 O wherein M is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium and mixtures of sodium and potassium and containing 0.05 to 2% water and sufficient bubbles to promote fracturing, comprising the steps of: a. charging raw materials, sources of alkali selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and mixtures of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, and a source of silica such as sand into an open hearth furnace with a bed area for fusion reactions, equipped with a draw hole and charging ports; b. maintaining the temperature within said furnace above 1093°C so that a bed of molten silicate glass is formed and the unreacted raw materials float on said molten glass bed; c. introducing dry saturated steam under pressure into the molten glass through bubbling means located in the furnace bed area so that bubbles of steam pass from the bottom of said molten glass bed to the top, the pressure of said steam being regulated to produce bubbles 8 to 18 inches (20.3 to 45.7 cm) in diameter breaking the surface of the molten blass at a rate of 5 to 20 bubbles per second; and d. withdrawing said molten glass from the furnace.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the steam pressure is 2.5 to 150 psig (0.18 to 10.5 kg/cm 2 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the steam pressure is 35 to 125 psig (2.45 to 8.75 kg/cm 2 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein there is an average of 1 bubbling means for each 8 to 30 ft 2 (0.7 to 2.8 m 2 ) of furnace bed area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein there is an average of 1 bubbling means for each 10 to 20 ft 2 (0.9 to 1.8 m 2 ) of furnace bed area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 1 wherein there is an average of 1 bubbling means for each 12 to 15 ft 2 (1.1 to 1.4 m 2 ) of furnace bed area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
The process of claim 4 wherein a non-symetrical group of 3 bubbling means is positioned in front of each charging port, the width of said ports being represented by W, and said bubbling means arranged as follows: a. the center of the first bubbling means is in front of the port at a position 1 to 11/2W inside the furnace and 1/6 to 1/4W from the center line of the port opposite to the center of the furnace; b. the center of the second bubbling means is 11/4 to 21/4W inside the furnace and 1/3 to 2/3W from the center line of the port toward the center of the furnace; and c. the center of the third bubbling means is 11/2 to 21/2W inside the furnace and 1/6 to 1/4W from the center line of the port toward the center of the furnace.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said non-symetrical group contains more than 3 bubbling means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-01 | 1979-12-01 | 1980-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-01 | 1983-12-01 | 1984-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-01 | 1987-12-01 | 1988-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |