EP3390306A2 - Herstellung eines quarzglaskörpers in einem hängenden sintertiegel - Google Patents

Herstellung eines quarzglaskörpers in einem hängenden sintertiegel

Info

Publication number
EP3390306A2
EP3390306A2 EP16822145.5A EP16822145A EP3390306A2 EP 3390306 A2 EP3390306 A2 EP 3390306A2 EP 16822145 A EP16822145 A EP 16822145A EP 3390306 A2 EP3390306 A2 EP 3390306A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
range
quartz glass
silica
less
ppm
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP16822145.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Matthias OTTER
Walter Lehmann
Michael HÜNERMANN
Nils Christian NIELSEN
Nigel Robert WHIPPEY
Boris Gromann
Abdoul-Gafar KPEBANE
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH and Co KG
Original Assignee
Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH and Co KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH and Co KG filed Critical Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH and Co KG
Publication of EP3390306A2 publication Critical patent/EP3390306A2/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B19/00—Other methods of shaping glass
    • C03B19/06—Other methods of shaping glass by sintering, e.g. by cold isostatic pressing of powders and subsequent sintering, by hot pressing of powders, by sintering slurries or dispersions not undergoing a liquid phase reaction
    • C03B19/066—Other methods of shaping glass by sintering, e.g. by cold isostatic pressing of powders and subsequent sintering, by hot pressing of powders, by sintering slurries or dispersions not undergoing a liquid phase reaction for the production of quartz or fused silica articles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B20/00—Processes specially adapted for the production of quartz or fused silica articles, not otherwise provided for
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B17/00—Forming molten glass by flowing-out, pushing-out, extruding or drawing downwardly or laterally from forming slits or by overflowing over lips
    • C03B17/04—Forming tubes or rods by drawing from stationary or rotating tools or from forming nozzles
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B19/00—Other methods of shaping glass
    • C03B19/10—Forming beads
    • C03B19/1005—Forming solid beads
    • C03B19/106—Forming solid beads by chemical vapour deposition; by liquid phase reaction
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B37/00—Manufacture or treatment of flakes, fibres, or filaments from softened glass, minerals, or slags
    • C03B37/01—Manufacture of glass fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/012—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01205—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments
    • C03B37/01211—Manufacture of preforms for drawing fibres or filaments starting from tubes, rods, fibres or filaments by inserting one or more rods or tubes into a tube
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B5/00—Melting in furnaces; Furnaces so far as specially adapted for glass manufacture
    • C03B5/06—Melting in furnaces; Furnaces so far as specially adapted for glass manufacture in pot furnaces
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C1/00—Ingredients generally applicable to manufacture of glasses, glazes, or vitreous enamels
    • C03C1/02—Pretreated ingredients
    • C03C1/022—Purification of silica sand or other minerals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C3/00—Glass compositions
    • C03C3/04—Glass compositions containing silica
    • C03C3/06—Glass compositions containing silica with more than 90% silica by weight, e.g. quartz
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2201/00—Type of glass produced
    • C03B2201/02—Pure silica glass, e.g. pure fused quartz
    • C03B2201/03—Impurity concentration specified
    • C03B2201/04—Hydroxyl ion (OH)
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03B—MANUFACTURE, SHAPING, OR SUPPLEMENTARY PROCESSES
    • C03B2201/00—Type of glass produced
    • C03B2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
    • C03B2201/20—Doped silica-based glasses doped with non-metals other than boron or fluorine
    • C03B2201/23—Doped silica-based glasses doped with non-metals other than boron or fluorine doped with hydroxyl groups
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2201/00—Glass compositions
    • C03C2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
    • C03C2201/08—Doped silica-based glasses containing boron or halide
    • C03C2201/11—Doped silica-based glasses containing boron or halide containing chlorine
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2201/00—Glass compositions
    • C03C2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
    • C03C2201/20—Doped silica-based glasses containing non-metals other than boron or halide
    • C03C2201/26—Doped silica-based glasses containing non-metals other than boron or halide containing carbon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2201/00—Glass compositions
    • C03C2201/06—Doped silica-based glasses
    • C03C2201/30—Doped silica-based glasses containing metals
    • C03C2201/32—Doped silica-based glasses containing metals containing aluminium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2203/00—Production processes
    • C03C2203/10—Melting processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C03—GLASS; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL
    • C03C—CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES OR VITREOUS ENAMELS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS, MINERALS OR SLAGS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS
    • C03C2204/00—Glasses, glazes or enamels with special properties
    • C03C2204/04—Opaque glass, glaze or enamel
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/41—Refractivity; Phase-affecting properties, e.g. optical path length
    • G01N21/412—Index profiling of optical fibres
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P40/00—Technologies relating to the processing of minerals
    • Y02P40/50—Glass production, e.g. reusing waste heat during processing or shaping
    • Y02P40/57—Improving the yield, e-g- reduction of reject rates

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for producing a quartz glass body comprising the steps of i) providing a silica granule, ii) forming a glass melt from the silicon dioxide granules in a furnace and iii) forming a quartz glass body from at least a part of the glass melt, wherein the furnace has a hanging Sinter crucible includes.
  • the invention further relates to a quartz glass body obtainable by this method.
  • the invention relates to a light guide, a luminous means and a shaped body, which are each obtainable by further processing of the quartz glass body.
  • Quartz glass, quartz glass products and products containing quartz glass are known.
  • various methods for producing quartz glass and quartz glass bodies are already known. Nevertheless, considerable efforts continue to be made to identify manufacturing processes by which silica glass of even higher purity, that is, absence of impurities, can be produced.
  • quartz glass and its processing products particularly high demands, for example, in terms of homogeneity and purity. This is, among other things, the case with quartz glass, which is processed into optical fibers or in light sources. Impurities can cause absorption here. This is disadvantageous because it leads to color changes and to the attenuation of the emitted light.
  • Another example of the use of high-purity quartz glass are production steps in semiconductor production. Here, any contamination of the glass body potentially leads to defects of the semiconductor, and thus to rejects in the production.
  • the high-purity, often synthetic quartz glass used for these methods are therefore produced very expensive. They are high priced.
  • quartz glass bodies Known methods for producing quartz glass bodies involve melting silica and forming into melted quartz glass bodies. Irregularities in a vitreous body, for example due to the inclusion of gases in the form of bubbles, can result in failure of the vitreous under load, especially at high temperatures, or preclude use for a particular purpose. Thus, impurities of the quartz glass-forming raw material can lead to the formation of cracks, bubbles, streaks and discoloration in the quartz glass. When used in processes for the manufacture and treatment of semiconductor devices, it is also possible to work out impurities in the glass body and transfer them to the treated semiconductor components. This is the case, for example, with etching methods and then leads to rejects in the semiconductor blanks.
  • a frequently occurring problem in the known production methods is consequently an insufficient quality of the quartz glass body.
  • Another aspect concerns the raw material efficiency. It seems advantageous to supply fumed silica and raw materials as by-products elsewhere to quartz glass products as much as possible, instead of spending these by-products as filler material, for example in building construction, or to dispose of it costly as waste. These by-products are often deposited as particulate matter in filters. The particulate matter raises further problems, in particular with regard to health, occupational safety and handling.
  • An object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages arising from the prior art.
  • components is meant in particular devices that can be used for or in reactors for chemical and / or physical treatment steps.
  • Homogeneity of a property or a substance is a measure of the uniformity of the distribution of that property or substance in a sample.
  • the homogeneity of the substance is a measure of the uniformity of the distribution of elements and compounds contained in the light guide, illuminant or semiconductor apparatus, in particular of OH, chlorine, metals, in particular aluminum, alkaline earth metals, refractory metals and dopants.
  • a further object is to provide a method for the production of quartz glass bodies, in which the arrival times of the plant are short.
  • Another object is to further improve the processability of quartz glass bodies.
  • Another object is to further improve the manufacturability of quartz glass bodies.
  • a method for producing a quartz glass body comprising the method steps: i. ) Providing a silica granule,
  • silica granules are made of fumed silica, wherein the silica granules have the following characteristics:
  • the oven includes a hanging sinter crucible.
  • a sintered crucible is a crucible made of a sintered material containing at least one sintered metal and having a density of not more than 96% of the theoretical density of the metal.
  • a sintered crucible is made by sintering the sintered material - instead of melts - in a mold. The sintered material and the sintered metal in the sinter crucible are not rolled.
  • the sintered crucible is made of a sintered material including a sintered metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, and a combination thereof.
  • the sintered metal of the sintered crucible has a density of 85% or more of the theoretical density of the sintered metal.
  • the suspended sintered crucible has at least one of the following features:
  • silica powder wherein the silica powder has the following characteristics:
  • a silica granule is formed with granules having a spherical morphology; wherein the processing is more preferably carried out by spray granulation or roll granulation.
  • G at least 70% by weight of the powder particles have a primary article size in a range of 10 to 100 nm;
  • H a tamped density in a range of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm 3 ;
  • silica powder is preparable from a compound selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon alkoxides and silicon halides.
  • silica granules have at least one of the following features:
  • G a pore volume in a range of 0.1 to 2.5 mL / g;
  • ppm and ppb are each based on the total weight of the silica granules.
  • a quartz glass body obtainable by a method according to any one of Embodiments 111 to 1121.
  • C] has an aluminum content of less than 200 ppb
  • G a standard deviation of the OH content of not more than 10%, preferably not more than 5%, based on the OH content A] of the quartz glass body;
  • L has a tungsten content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb;
  • M] has a molybdenum content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb,
  • ppb and ppm are each based on the total weight of the quartz glass body.
  • a method for producing a light guide comprising the following steps
  • All of a hollow body with at least one opening obtainable by a method according to embodiment
  • a method of manufacturing a luminous means comprising the following steps
  • a method for producing a shaped article comprising the following steps:
  • a use of a hanging sinter crucible for producing products comprising quartz glass selected from the group consisting of a light guide, a lamp and a shaped body, the hanging sintered crucible having the following features:
  • range indications also include the values called limits.
  • An indication of the kind "in the range of X to Y" with respect to a quantity A thus means that A has the values X, Y and Can take values between X and Y
  • One-sided limited areas of the kind "up to Y" for a size A mean accordingly as values Y and smaller than Y.
  • a first subject of the present invention is a method for producing a quartz glass body comprising the method steps:
  • the oven includes a hanging sinter crucible.
  • the provision of the silica granules comprises the following method steps:
  • silica powder into a silica granule, the silica granule having a larger particle diameter than the silica powder.
  • a powder is understood as meaning particles of dry solids having a primary particle size in the range of 1 to less than 100 nm.
  • the silica granules can be obtained by granulating silica powder.
  • a silica granule typically has a BET surface area of 3 m 2 / g or more and a density of less than 1.5 g / cm 3 .
  • Granulating is understood as meaning the transfer of powder particles into granules.
  • Granulation forms aggregates of multiple silica powder particles, ie larger agglomerates called “silica granules.” These are often referred to as “silica granule particles” or “granule particles.” Granules form granules in their entirety, eg, the silica granules are “silica granules.” , The silica granules have a larger particle diameter than the silica powder.
  • silicon dioxide granulation is understood as meaning silicon dioxide particles obtainable by comminuting a silicon dioxide body, in particular a quartz glass body.
  • a silica grain usually has a density of more than 1.2 g / cm 3 , for example in a range of 1.2 to 2.2 g / cm 3 , and more preferably about 2.2 g / cm 3 , More preferably, the BET surface area of a silica grain is generally less than 1 m 2 / g, determined according to DIN ISO 9277: 2014-01. In principle, all silica particles suitable to the person skilled in the art come into consideration as silica particles.
  • silicon dioxide powder from naturally occurring or from synthetically produced silicon dioxide.
  • synthetic silica powder is used.
  • Particular preference is given to using pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide powder.
  • the silica powder may be any silica powder having at least two particles. Any method which is familiar to the person skilled in the art and suitable for the present purpose can be considered as the production method.
  • the silica powder is produced in the production of quartz glass as a by-product, in particular in the production of so-called soot bodies. Silica of such origin is often referred to as "soot dust”.
  • a preferred source of the silica powder is silica particles obtained in the synthetic production of soot bodies using flame hydrolysis burners.
  • a rotating carrier tube which has a cylinder jacket surface, is reversibly moved back and forth along a row of burners.
  • the flame hydrolysis burners can be fed as burner gases in each case oxygen and hydrogen and the starting materials for the formation of Siliziumdioxidprimärpumblen.
  • the silica primary particles preferably have a primary particle size of up to 100 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide primary particles are recognizable in their shape by scanning electron microscopy and the primary particle size can be determined.
  • a portion of the silicon dioxide particles are deposited on the cylinder jacket surface of the support tube rotating about its longitudinal axis. This is how the soot body is built up layer by layer.
  • Another part of the silicon dioxide particles is not deposited on the cylinder jacket surface of the support tube, but accumulates as dust, for example in a filter system.
  • This other part of silicon dioxide particles forms the silicon dioxide powder, often also referred to as "soot dust.”
  • the part of silicon dioxide particles deposited on the support tube is larger than the part of silica particles arising as soot dust in the context of based on the total weight of the silica particles.
  • soot dust is usually disposed of consuming and costly as waste or spent without added value as a filler, for example in road construction, as additives in the dyestuff industry, as a raw material for tile production and for the production of hexafluorosilicic acid, which for the renovation of building foundations.
  • it is suitable as a starting material and can be processed to a high quality product.
  • Fumed silica is usually in the form of amorphous silica primaries or silica particles.
  • the silica powder can be prepared by flame hydrolysis from a gas mixture.
  • the silica particles are also formed in the flame hydrolysis and discharged as silica powder before agglomerates or aggregates form.
  • the silica powder previously referred to as soot dust main product.
  • silica powder As starting materials for the formation of the silica powder are preferably siloxanes, silicon alkoxides and inorganic silicon compounds.
  • Siloxanes are understood as meaning linear and cyclic polyalkylsiloxanes.
  • Polyalkylsiloxanes preferably have the general formula
  • R is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 C atoms, preferably having 1 to 4 C atoms, particularly preferably a methyl group
  • siloxanes selected from the group consisting of hexamethyldisiloxane, hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D3), octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • D3 hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane
  • D4 octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
  • D5 decamethylcyclopentasiloxane
  • the main component is preferably present in a proportion of at least 70% by weight, preferably of at least 80% by weight, for example of at least 90% by weight or of at least 94% by weight, more preferably of at least 98% by weight. %, in each case based on the total amount of silica powder before.
  • Preferred silicon alkoxides are tetramethoxysilane and methyltrimethoxysilane.
  • Preferred inorganic silicon compounds as starting material for silica powder are silicon halides, silicates, silicon carbide and silicon nitride. Particularly preferred as the inorganic silicon compound as a starting material for silica powder are silicon tetrachloride and trichlorosilane.
  • the silicon dioxide powder can be prepared from a compound selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon alkoxides and silicon halides.
  • a preferred composition of a suitable gas mixture includes a proportion of oxygen in the flame hydrolysis in a range of 25 to 40% by volume.
  • the proportion of hydrogen may be in a range of 45 to 60% by volume.
  • the proportion of silicon tetrachloride is preferably from 5 to 30% by volume, all of the abovementioned% by volume, based on the total volume of the gas stream.
  • the flame in the hydrolysis of the flame preferably has a temperature in a range from 1500 to 2500 ° C., for example in a range from 1600 to 2400 ° C., particularly preferably in one range from 1700 to 2300 ° C.
  • the silicon dioxide formed in the flame hydrolysis are preferably removed as silica powder before agglomerates or aggregates are formed.
  • the silica powder has the following characteristics:
  • a BET surface area in a range from 20 to 60 m 2 / g, for example from 25 to 55 m 2 / g, or from 30 to 50 m 2 / g, particularly preferably from 20 to 40 m 2 / g, and
  • the silicon dioxide powder preferably has at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following characteristics:
  • G. at least 70% by weight of the powder particles have a primary particle size in a range of 10 to less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 15 to less than 100 nm, more preferably in the range of 20 to less than 100 nm;
  • H. a tamped density in a range of 0.001 to 0.3 g / cm 3 for example in the range of 0.002 to 0.2 g / cm 3 or from 0.005 to 0.1 g / cm 3 , preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.06 g / cm 3 , also preferably in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 g / cm 3 , or in the range of 0.15 to 0.2 g / cm 3 ;
  • a residual moisture of less than 5 wt .-% for example in the range of 0.25 to 3 wt .-%, particularly preferably in the range of 0.5 to 2 wt .-%;
  • a particle size distribution D 10 in the range of 1 to 7 ⁇ , for example in the range of 2 to 6 ⁇ or in the range of 3 to 5 ⁇ , more preferably in the range of 3.5 to 4.5 ⁇ ;
  • the silica powder contains silica.
  • the silica powder contains silica in an amount of more than 95% by weight, for example, in an amount of more than 98% by weight. or more than 99% by weight or more than 99.9% by weight, based in each case on the total weight of the silicon dioxide powder. More preferably, the silica powder contains silica in an amount of more than 99.99% by weight based on the total weight of the silica powder.
  • the silica powder has a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 5 ppm, for example less than 2 ppm, more preferably less than 1 ppm, each based on the total weight of the silica powder. Often, however, the silica powder has a content of metals other than aluminum in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • metals are, for example, sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, germanium, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, titanium, iron and chromium. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex.
  • the silica powder has a total content of other ingredients of less than 30 ppm, for example less than 20 ppm, more preferably less than 15 ppm, the ppm each based on the total weight of the silica powder. Often, however, the silica powder has a content of other ingredients in an amount of at least 1 ppb. Further constituents are understood as meaning all constituents of the silica powder which do not belong to the following group: silicon dioxide, chlorine, aluminum, OH groups.
  • the indication of an ingredient when the ingredient is a chemical element means that it may be present as an element or as an ion in a compound or a salt.
  • aluminum also includes aluminum salts, aluminum oxides, and aluminum metal complexes, for example, the term “chlorine” includes elemental chlorine, chlorides such as sodium chloride, and hydrogen chloride.
  • chlorides such as sodium chloride, and hydrogen chloride.
  • the indication of an ingredient means that the ingredient may be in said form, as a charged chemical compound, or as a derivative of the chemical compound.
  • the indication of the chemical ethanol includes ethanol as well as ethanol, for example, sodium ethanolate.
  • the term "OH group” also includes silanol, water and metal hydroxides
  • the term derivative in acetic acid also includes acetic acid ester and acetic anhydride
  • at least 70% of the powder particles of the silica powder are in number
  • Powder particles a primary particle size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or from 15 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 20 to 100 nm.
  • the primary article size is determined by dynamic light scattering according to ISO 13320: 2009-10.
  • At least 75% of the powder particles of the silica powder have a primary article size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or of 15 to 100 nm, and particularly preferably in the region of 20 up to 100 nm.
  • At least 80% of the powder particles of the silica powder have a primary article size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or 15 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 20 up to 100 nm.
  • At least 85% of the powder particles of the silica powder have a primary article size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or 15 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 20 up to 100 nm.
  • At least 90% of the powder particles of the silica powder, based on the number of powder particles have a primary particle size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or 15 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 20 to 100 nm up.
  • at least 95% of the powder particles of the silica powder, based on the number of powder particles have a primary particle size of less than 100 nm, for example in the range of 10 to 100 nm or 15 to 100 nm, and more preferably in the range of 20 to 100 nm up.
  • the silica powder has a particle size Di 0 in the range of 1 to 7 ⁇ , for example in the range of 2 to 6 ⁇ or in the range of 3 to 5 ⁇ , particularly preferably in the range of 3.5 to 4.5 ⁇ .
  • the silica powder has a particle size D 50 in the range of 6 to 15 ⁇ , for example in the range of 7 to 13 ⁇ or in the range of 8 to 1 1 ⁇ , more preferably in the range of 8.5 to 10.5 ⁇ .
  • the silica powder has a particle size D 90 in the range of 10 to 40 ⁇ , for example in the range of 15 to 35 ⁇ , more preferably in the range of 20 to 30 ⁇ .
  • the silica powder has a specific surface area (BET surface area) in a range from 20 to 60 m 2 / g, for example from 25 to 55 m 2 / g, or from 30 to 50 m 2 / g, particularly preferably from 20 up to 40 m 2 / g.
  • BET surface area is determined according to the method of Brunauer, Emmet and Teller (BET) on the basis of DIN 66132 and is based on gas absorption at the surface to be measured.
  • the silica powder has a pH of less than 7, for example in the range from 3 to 6.5 or from 3.5 to 6 or from 4 to 5.5, more preferably in the range from 4.5 to 5.
  • Der pH value can be determined by means of a stick-in electrode (4% silicon dioxide powder in water).
  • the silicon dioxide powder preferably has the feature combination a./b./c. or a./b./f. or a./b./g. on, more preferably the combination of features a./b./c./f. or a./b./c./g. or a./b./f./g., particularly preferably the combination of features a./b./c./f./g.
  • the silicon dioxide powder preferably has the feature combination a./b./c. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, and the carbon content is less than 40 ppm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder preferably has the feature combination a./b./f. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, and the total content of metals other than aluminum are within a range from 1 ppb to 1 ppm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder preferably has the feature combination a./b./g. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, and at least 70 wt% of the powder particles is a primary have article size in a range of 20 to less than 100 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder more preferably has the feature combination a./b./c./f. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, the carbon content is less than 40 ppm, and the total content of metals , which are different from aluminum, is in a range of 1 ppb to 1 ppm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder more preferably has the feature combination a./b./c./g. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, the carbon content is less than 40 ppm and at least 70 wt. -% of the powder particles have a primary particle size in a range of 20 to less than 100 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder more preferably has the feature combination a./b./f./g. , wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, the total content of metals other than aluminum, in a range of from 1 ppb to 1 ppm and at least 70% by weight of the powder particles have a primary particle size in a range of 20 to less than 100 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide powder particularly preferably has the feature combination a./b./c./f./g. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, the carbon content is less than 40 ppm, the total content of metals which are different from aluminum, is in a range of 1 ppb to 1 ppm, and at least 70% by weight of the powder particles have a primary particle size in a range of 20 to less than 100 nm.
  • Step II the feature combination a./b./c./f./g. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the bulk density is in a range of 0.05 to 0.3 g / ml, the carbon content is less than 40 ppm, the total content of metals which are different from aluminum, is in a range of 1 ppb to 1 ppm, and at least 70% by weight
  • the silicon dioxide powder is processed in step II to a granular silica, wherein the silica granules having a larger particle diameter than the silica powder.
  • Suitable in principle are all methods known to those skilled in the art, which lead to an increase in the particle diameter.
  • the silica granules have a particle diameter larger than the particle diameter of the silica powder.
  • the particle diameter of the silica granules is in a range of 500 to 50,000 times larger than the particle diameter of the silica powder, for example, 1,000 to 10,000 times larger, more preferably 2,000 to 8,000 times larger.
  • At least 90% of the silicon dioxide granules provided in step i) are preferably formed from pyrogenically produced silicon dioxide powder, for example at least 95% by weight or at least 98% by weight, more preferably at least 99% by weight or more, based in each case on the Total weight of silica granules.
  • the silica granules used have the following features:
  • the silica granules preferably have at least one, preferably at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably all of the following features:
  • G a pore volume in a range of 0.1 to 2.5 mL / g, for example in a range of 0.15 to 1.5 mL / g; more preferably in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mL / g;
  • ppm and ppb are each based on the total weight of the silica granules.
  • the granules of the silica granules preferably have a spherical morphology.
  • Spherical morphology refers to a round to oval shape of the particles.
  • the granules of the silica granules preferably have an average sphericity in a range of 0.7 to 1.3 SPHT3, for example, an average sphericity in a range of 0.8 to 1.2 SPHT3, more preferably an average sphericity in a range of 0 , 85 to 1.1 SPHT3 on.
  • the characteristic SPHT3 is described in the test methods.
  • the granules of the silica granules have a mean symmetry in a range of 0.7 to 1.3 Symm3, for example a mean symmetry in a range of 0.8 to 1.2 Symm3, more preferably a mean symmetry in a range of 0.85 to 1.1 Symm3.
  • Symm3 The feature of symmetry Symm3 is described in the test methods.
  • the silica granules have a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb, more preferably less than 100 ppb, each based on the total weight of the silica granules. Often, however, the silica granules have a content of metals other than aluminum in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • the silica granules have a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1 ppm, preferably in a range of 40 to 900 ppb, for example in a range of 50 to 700 ppb, more preferably in a range of 60 to 500 ppb, respectively based on the total weight of the silica granules.
  • metals include sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, germanium, copper, molybdenum, titanium, iron and chromium. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex.
  • the silica granules may contain further constituents, for example in the form of molecules, ions or elements.
  • the silicon dioxide granules preferably contain less than 500 ppm, for example less than 300 ppm, more preferably less than 100 ppm, in each case based on the total weight of the silicon dioxide granules, further constituents.
  • further ingredients are included in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • the further constituents may in particular be selected from the group consisting of carbon, fluoride, iodide, bromide, phosphorus or a mixture of at least two thereof.
  • the silica granules contain less than 10 ppm carbon, for example less than 8 ppm or less than 5 ppm, more preferably less than 4 ppm, each based on the total weight of the silica granules. Often, carbon in an amount of at least 1 ppb is contained in the silica granules.
  • the silica granules contain less than 100 ppm, for example less than 80 ppm, more preferably less than 70 ppm, based in each case on the total weight of the silicon dioxide granules, of further constituents. Often, however, the other ingredients are included in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • step II includes the following steps:
  • a liquid is understood to be a substance or a mixture of substances which is liquid at a pressure of 1013 hPa and a temperature of 20 ° C.
  • a "slurry" in the sense of the present invention means a mixture of at least two substances, wherein the mixture has at least one liquid and at least one solid under the conditions under consideration.
  • Suitable liquids are, in principle, all those known to those skilled in the art and suitable for the present purpose Substances and Mixtures
  • the liquid is selected from the group consisting of organic liquids and water
  • the silica powder in the liquid is in an amount of less than 0.5 g / L, preferably in an amount of less than 0.25 g / L, particularly preferably in an amount of less than 0.1 g / L soluble, the g / L each indicated as g of silica powder per liter of liquid.
  • Preferred liquids are polar solvents. These can be organic liquids or water.
  • the liquid is preferably selected from the group consisting of water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, tert-butanol and mixtures of more than one thereof.
  • the liquid is water.
  • the liquid includes distilled or deionized water.
  • the silica powder is processed into a slurry.
  • the silica powder is almost insoluble in the liquid at room temperature, but may be incorporated into the liquid in high weight fractions to obtain the slurry.
  • the silica powder and the liquid may be mixed in any manner.
  • the silica powder may be added to the liquid or the liquid to the silica powder.
  • the mixture may be agitated during addition or after addition. Most preferably, the mixture is agitated during and after adding. Examples of agitation are shaking and stirring, or a combination of both.
  • the silica powder may be added to the liquid with stirring. More preferably, a portion of the silica powder may be added to the liquid, with the mixture thus obtained being agitated, and the mixture subsequently mixed with the remainder of the silica powder.
  • a portion of the liquid may be added to the silica powder, with the mixture thus obtained being agitated, and the mixture subsequently mixed with the remainder of the liquid.
  • the slurry is a suspension in which the silica powder is evenly distributed in the liquid.
  • uniformly it is meant that the density and composition of the slurry at each point does not differ by more than 10% from the average density and the average composition, based on the total amount of slurry, uniform distribution of the silica powder in the liquid can be made or obtained by moving as previously described, or both.
  • the slurry has a liter weight in the range of 1000 to 2000 g / L, for example in the range of 1200 to 1900 g / L or of 1300 to 1800 g / L, more preferably in the range of 1400 to 1700 g / L. The weight per liter is determined by weighing a volume calibrated container.
  • the slurry has at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following characteristics:
  • the slurry has a temperature of more than 0 ° C, preferably in a range of 5 to 35 ° C;
  • the slurry has a zeta potential at a pH of 7 in a range of 0 to -100 mA, for example from -20 to -60 mA, more preferably from -30 to -45 mA;
  • the slurry has a pH in a range of 7 or more, for example greater than 7 or a pH in the range of 7.5 to 13 or from 8 to 11, more preferably from 8.5 to 10 ;
  • the slurry has an isoelectric point of less than 7, for example in a range of 1 to 5 or in a range of 2 to 4, more preferably in a range of 3 to 3.5;
  • the slurry has a solids content of at least 40% by weight, for example in one
  • the slurry has a viscosity in accordance with DIN 53019-1 (5 rpm, 30 wt .-%) in a range of 500 to 2000 mPas, for example in the range of 600 to 1700 mPas, particularly preferably in the range of 1000 to 1600 mPas ;
  • the slurry has a thixotropy according to DIN SPEC 91143-2 (30 wt .-% in water, 23 ° C,
  • the silica particles in the slurry have in a 4% by weight slurry an average particle size in suspension according to DIN ISO 13320-1 in the range from 100 to 500 nm, for example in a range from 200 to 300 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide particles in a 4% strength by weight aqueous slurry preferably have a particle size D 10 in a range from 50 to 250 nm, particularly preferably in the range from 100 to 150 nm.
  • the silicon dioxide particles are preferably present in a weight of 4% by weight.
  • % aqueous slurry has a particle size D 50 in a range of 100 to 400 nm, more preferably in the range of 200 to 250 nm.
  • the silica particles in a 4 wt .-% aqueous slurry has a particle size D 90 in a range of 200 to 600 nm, more preferably in a range of 350 to 400 nm.
  • the particle size is determined by means of DIN ISO 13320-1.
  • the term "isolectric point" is understood to mean the pH value at which the zeta potential assumes the value 0.
  • the zeta potential is determined in accordance with ISO 13099-2: 2012.
  • the pH of the slurry is adjusted to a value in the above range.
  • substances such as NaOH or NH 3 may be added , for example, as an aqueous solution of the slurry. The slurry is often moved.
  • the silica granules are obtained by granulating silica powder.
  • Granulating is understood to mean the transfer of powder particles into granules.
  • aggregates of multiple silica powder particles form larger agglomerates, referred to as “silica granules.” These are often referred to as “silica particles,” “silica granule particles,” or “granule particles.”
  • granules form granules, e.g. the silica granules a "silica granules”.
  • any granulation process which is known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for granulating silicon dioxide powder can be selected.
  • the granulation process a distinction can be made between built-up granulation and pressing granulation, and further between wet and dry granulation processes.
  • Known methods are rolling granulation in a granulating dish, spray granulation, centrifugal atomization, fluidized bed granulation, granulation processes using a granulating mill, compaction, roll pressing, briquetting, slug production or extrusion.
  • a silica granule is formed with granules having a spherical morphology; wherein the processing is more preferably done by spray granulation or roll granulation.
  • silica granules containing granules having a spherical morphology include at most 50% granules, preferably at most 40% granules, more preferably at most 20% granules, more preferably between 0 and 50%, between 0 and 40%, or between 0 and 20 % o, or between 10 and 50%), between 10 and 40% o or between 10 and 20% o granules that do not have a spherical morphology, the percentages in each case based on the total number of granules in the granules.
  • the granules with a spherical morphology have the already mentioned in this description SPHT3 values.
  • a silica granule is obtained by spray granulating the slurry.
  • Spray granulation is also referred to as spray drying.
  • the spray drying is preferably carried out in a spray tower.
  • the slurry is pressurized at elevated temperature.
  • the pressurized slurry is then released through a nozzle and sprayed into the spray tower.
  • droplets form, which dry instantly and initially form dry micro-particles ("germs"), forming the smallest particles together with one the particle-acting gas stream is a fluidized bed. They are held in suspension and can thus form a surface for drying more droplets.
  • the nozzle through which the slurry is sprayed into the spray tower preferably forms an inlet into the interior of the spray tower.
  • the nozzle preferably has a contact surface with the slurry during spraying. Often, at least a portion of the nozzle is shaped as a tube through which the slurry is passed during spraying so that the inside of the hollow tube communicates with the slurry Slurry comes into contact.
  • the contact surface preferably includes a glass, a plastic or a combination thereof.
  • the contact surface comprises a glass, more preferably quartz glass.
  • the contact surface includes a plastic.
  • all plastics known to those skilled in the art are suitable which are stable at the process temperatures and do not release any foreign atoms to the slurry.
  • Preferred plastics are polyolefins, for example homopolymers or copolymers comprising at least one olefin, more preferably homopolymers or copolymers comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutadiene or combinations of two or more thereof.
  • the contact surface consists of a glass, a plastic or a combination thereof, for example selected from the group consisting of quartz glass and polyolefins, more preferably selected from the group consisting of quartz glass and homopolymers or copolymers comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutadiene or combinations of two or more of them.
  • the contact surface preferably contains no metals, in particular no tungsten, titanium, tantalum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron, vanadium, zirconium and manganese.
  • the contact surface and the other parts of the nozzle consist of the same or of different materials.
  • the other parts of the nozzle contain the same material as the contact surface.
  • the other parts of the nozzle contain a different material from the contact surface.
  • the contact surface may be coated with a suitable material, for example a glass or a plastic.
  • the nozzle is preferably more than 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the nozzle, of an element selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic or a combination of glass and plastic, for example more than 75% by weight.
  • the nozzle comprises a nozzle plate.
  • the nozzle plate is preferably formed of glass, plastic or a combination of glass and plastic.
  • the nozzle plate is formed of glass, particularly preferably quartz glass.
  • the nozzle plate is formed of plastic.
  • Preferred plastics are polyolefins, for example homo- or copolymers containing at least one olefin, more preferably homopolymers or copolymers comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutadiene or combinations of two or more thereof.
  • the nozzle plate preferably contains no metals, in particular no tungsten, titanium, tantalum,
  • the nozzle preferably comprises a spiral screw.
  • the spiral screw is preferably made of glass, plastic or a combination of glass and plastic.
  • the spiral screw is formed of glass, more preferably quartz glass.
  • the spiral screw is formed from plastic.
  • Preferred plastics are polyolefins, for example homopolymers or copolymers comprising at least one olefin, more preferably homopolymers or copolymers comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutadiene or combinations of two or more thereof.
  • the spiral screw contains no metals, in particular no tungsten, titanium, tantalum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron, vanadium, zirconium and manganese.
  • the nozzle may further comprise other components.
  • Preferred further components are a nozzle body, particularly preferred is a nozzle body surrounding the spiral screw and the nozzle plate, a cross piece and a baffle plate.
  • a nozzle preferably comprises one or more, particularly preferably all, of the further components.
  • the other components can, independently of one another, in principle consist of any material known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose, for example of a metal-containing material, of glass or of a plastic.
  • the nozzle body is formed of glass, more preferably quartz glass.
  • the other components are formed from plastic.
  • plastics are polyolefins, for example homopolymers or copolymers comprising at least one olefin, more preferably homopolymers or copolymers comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutadiene or combinations of two or more thereof.
  • the other components preferably do not contain any metals, in particular no tungsten, titanium, tantalum, chromium, cobalt, nickel, iron, vanadium, zirconium and manganese.
  • the spray tower has a gas inlet and a gas outlet.
  • gas inlet gas can be introduced into the interior of the spray tower, and through the gas outlet, it can be discharged. It is also possible to introduce gas through the nozzle into the spray tower. Similarly, gas can be discharged through the outlet of the spray tower. Further preferably, gas may be supplied via the nozzle and a gas inlet of the spray tower, and discharged via the outlet of the spray tower and a gas outlet of the spray tower.
  • an atmosphere selected from air, an inert gas, at least two inert gases or a combination of air with at least one inert gas, preferably at least two inert gases, is present in the interior of the spray tower.
  • inert gases are preferably selected from the list consisting of nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon.
  • air, nitrogen or argon is present in the interior of the spray tower, more preferably air.
  • the atmosphere present in the spray tower is part of a gas stream.
  • the gas stream is preferably introduced into the spray tower via a gas inlet and discharged via a gas outlet. It is also possible to introduce parts of the gas stream through the nozzle and divert parts of the gas stream through a solids outlet.
  • the gas stream can take up additional components in the spray tower. These may originate from the slurry during spray drying and pass into the gas stream.
  • a dry gas stream is fed to the spray tower.
  • a dry gas stream is understood as meaning a gas or a gas mixture whose relative humidity is kept below the temperature set in the spray tower. is half of the condensation point.
  • a relative humidity of 100% corresponds to a water volume of 17.5 g / m 3 at 20 ° C.
  • the gas is preferably preheated to a temperature in a range of from 150 to 450 ° C, for example from 200 to 420 ° C or from 300 to 400 ° C, more preferably from 350 to 400 ° C.
  • the interior of the spray tower is preferably tempered.
  • the temperature in the interior of the spray tower is up to 550 ° C, for example 300 to 500 ° C, more preferably 350 to 450 ° C.
  • the gas stream at the gas inlet preferably has a temperature in a range from 150 to 450 ° C, for example from 200 to 420 ° C or from 300 to 400 ° C, particularly preferably from 350 to 400 ° C.
  • the withdrawn gas stream preferably has a temperature of less than 170 ° C, for example from 50 to 150 ° C, more preferably from 100 to 130 ° C.
  • the difference between the temperature of the gas stream at the time of introduction and the gas flow when discharged is in a range of 100 to 330 ° C, for example, 150 to 300 ° C.
  • the silica granules thus obtained are present as an agglomerate of individual particles of silica powder.
  • the individual particles of the silicon dioxide powder are still recognizable in the agglomerate.
  • the average particle size of the particles of the silica powder is preferably in the range of 10 to 1000 nm, for example, in the range of 20 to 500 nm or 30 to 250 nm or 35 to 200 nm or 40 to 150 nm, or more preferably in the range from 50 to 100 nm.
  • the average particle size of these particles is determined according to DIN ISO 13320-1.
  • auxiliaries can be used as auxiliaries, which are known in the art and appear suitable for the present purpose.
  • auxiliaries are, for example, so-called binders.
  • suitable binders are metal oxides such as calcium oxide, metal carbonates such as calcium carbonate and polysaccharides such as cellulose, cellulose ethers, starch and starch derivatives.
  • spray drying is particularly preferably carried out without auxiliaries.
  • a portion thereof is separated.
  • the separation is done by sifting or sieving.
  • Spray tower particles with a particle size of less than 50 ⁇ for example, with a particle size of less than 70 ⁇ particularly preferably separated with a particle size of less than 90 ⁇ by sifting.
  • the sifting is preferably carried out by a cyclone, which is preferably arranged in the lower region of the spray tower, particularly preferably above the outlet of the spray tower.
  • a cyclone which is preferably arranged in the lower region of the spray tower, particularly preferably above the outlet of the spray tower.
  • the silica granules from the spray tower particles with a particle size of more than 1000 ⁇ , for example, with a particle size of more than 700 ⁇ particularly preferably separated with a particle size of more than 500 ⁇ by sieving.
  • the sieving of the particles can be carried out in principle by all methods known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose. Sieving is preferably carried out by means of a vibrating trough.
  • the spray-drying of the slurry through a nozzle into a spray tower is characterized by at least one, for example two or three, most preferably all of the following features:
  • a temperature of the droplets entering the spray tower in a range of 10 to 50 ° C, preferably in a range of 15 to 30 ° C, more preferably in a range of 18 to 25 ° C.
  • a temperature at the spray tower side of the nozzle in a range of 100 to 450 ° C, for example in a range of 250 to 440 ° C, more preferably from 350 to 430 ° C;
  • a slurry throughput through the die in a range of 0.05 to 1 m 3 / h, for example in a range of 0.1 to 0.7 m 3 / h or from 0.2 to 0.5 m 3 / h, more preferably in a range of 0.25 to 0.4 m 3 / h;
  • fj has a solids content of the slurry of at least 40% by weight, for example in a range of 50 to 80% by weight, or in a range of 55 to 75% by weight, particularly preferably in a range of 60 to 70% by weight .-%, in each case based on the total weight of the slurry; g] a gas flow in the spray tower in a range of 10 to 100 kg / min, for example in a range of 20 to 80 kg / min or from 30 to 70 kg / min, more preferably in a range of 40 to 60 kg / min;
  • h a temperature of the gas stream entering the spray tower in a range of 100 to 450 ° C, for example in a range of 250 to 440 ° C, more preferably 350 to 430 ° C;
  • the gas is selected from the group consisting of air, nitrogen and helium, or a combination of two or more thereof; preferably air;
  • the spray tower has a cylindrical geometry
  • a height of the spray tower of more than 10 m for example of more than 15 m or of more than 20 m or of more than 25 m or of more than 30 m or in a range of 10 to 25 m, particularly preferably in a range of 15 to 20 m;
  • the exit of the droplets of the slurry from the nozzle takes place at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees counter to the direction of the solder, more preferably at an angle of 45 degrees against the Lotraum.
  • the direction of the solder is understood to be the direction of the gravity vector.
  • the flight path means the path that a droplet of slurry travels from the exit of the nozzle into the headspace of the spray tower to form granules until completion of the flight and fall operation.
  • the flight and fall process will periodically end by hitting the granules at the bottom of the spray tower, or by impinging the granules on other granules already on the bottom of the spray tower, whichever comes first.
  • the flight time is the time it takes for a granule to cover the flight path in the spray tower.
  • the granules preferably have a helical trajectory in the spray tower.
  • At least 60% by weight of the spray granules based on the total weight of the silica granules formed during the spray drying, have an average flight distance of more than 20 m, for example greater than 30 or greater than 50 or greater than 70 or more than 100 or more than 150 or more than 200 or in a range of 20 to 200 m or from 10 to 150 or from 20 to 100, particularly preferably in a range of 30 to 80 m.
  • At least 70% by weight of the spray granules based on the total weight of the silica granules formed in the spray drying, have an average flight distance of more than 20 m, for example greater than 30 or greater than 50 or greater than 70 or more than 100 or more than 150 or more than 200 or in a range of 20 to 200 m or from 10 to 150 or from 20 to 100, particularly preferably in a range of 30 to 80 m.
  • At least 80% by weight of the spray granules based on the total weight of the silica granules formed in the spray drying, have an average flight distance of more than 20 m, for example greater than 30 or greater than 50 or greater than 70 or more than 100 or more than 150 or more than 200 or in a range of 20 to 200 m or from 10 to 150 or from 20 to 100, more preferably in a range of 30 to 80 m.
  • At least 90% by weight of the spray granules based on the total weight of the silica granules formed in the spray drying, have an average flight distance of more than 20 m, for example greater than 30 or greater than 50 or greater than 70 or more than 100 or more than 150 or more than 200 or in a range of 20 to 200 m or from 10 to 150 or from 20 to 100, particularly preferably in a range of 30 to 80 m.
  • a silica granule is obtained by roll granulating the slurry.
  • Roll granulation is done by stirring the slurry in the presence of a gas at elevated temperature.
  • Roll granulation preferably takes place in a stirred tank equipped with a stirring tool.
  • the stirring container rotates in the opposite direction to the stirring tool.
  • the stirring vessel further comprises an inlet through which silica powder can be introduced into the stirring vessel, an outlet through which silica granules can be removed, a gas inlet and a gas outlet.
  • a stick swirler is preferably used for stirring the slurry.
  • a pin swirler is understood to mean a stirrer tool which is provided with a plurality of elongate pins whose longitudinal axis runs in each case coaxially with the axis of rotation of the stirrer tool.
  • the movement sequence of the pins preferably describes coaxial circles about the axis of rotation.
  • the slurry is adjusted to a pH of less than 7, for example to a pH in the range of 2 to 6.5, more preferably to a pH in the range of 4 to 6.
  • an inorganic acid for example an acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and phosphoric acid, more preferably hydrochloric acid.
  • an atmosphere selected from air, an inert gas, at least two inert gases or a combination of air with at least one inert gas, preferably at least two inert gases.
  • inert gases are preferably selected from the list consisting of nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon.
  • air, nitrogen or argon is present in the stirred tank, more preferably air.
  • the atmosphere present in the stirred tank is part of a gas stream.
  • the gas stream is preferably introduced into the stirred tank via the gas inlet and discharged via the gas outlet.
  • the gas flow can take up further components in the stirred tank. During rolling granulation, these can originate from the sludge and pass into the gas stream.
  • the stirred tank is preferably supplied with a dry gas stream.
  • a "dry gas stream” is understood as meaning a gas or a gas mixture whose relative humidity is below the condensation point at the temperature set in the stirring vessel.
  • the gas is preferably at a temperature in a range from 50 to 300 ° C., for example from 80 to 250 ° C, more preferably preheated from 100 to 200 ° C.
  • 10 to 150 m 3 of gas per hour are preferably introduced per 1 kg of the slurry used into the stirred tank, for example 20 to 100 m 3 of gas per hour, more preferably 30 to 70 m 3 of gas per hour.
  • the gas stream dries the slurry while stirring to form silica granules.
  • the granules formed are removed from the stirred chamber.
  • the withdrawn granules are further dried.
  • the drying is carried out continuously, for example in a rotary kiln.
  • Preferred temperatures for drying are in a range of 80 to 250 ° C, for example in a range of 100 to 200 ° C, more preferably in a range of 120 to 180 ° C.
  • Continuously in the context of the present invention in relation to a method means that it can be operated continuously. This means that the supply and removal of substances and materials involved in the process can be carried out continuously during the execution of the process. It is not necessary to interrupt the procedure for this.
  • Continuously as an attribute of an object, e.g. with respect to a "continuous furnace" means that this article is designed so that a process occurring in it or in it process step can be carried out continuously.
  • the granules obtained by roll granulation can be screened.
  • Sieving can be done before or after drying. Preference is given to sieving before drying. Granules having a particle size of less than 50 ⁇ m, for example having a particle size of less than 80 ⁇ m, are particularly preferably screened out with a particle size of less than 100 ⁇ m. Preference is given to granules having a particle size of more than 900 ⁇ m, for example having a particle size of more than 700 ⁇ m, and more preferably having a particle size of more than 500 ⁇ m.
  • the sieving of larger particles can be carried out in principle by all methods known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose. The screening of larger particles preferably takes place by means of a vibrating trough.
  • roll granulation is characterized by at least one, for example two or three, most preferably all of the following features:
  • Granules with a particle size of less than 100 ⁇ and more than 500 ⁇ are sieved;
  • the granules formed have a residual moisture of 15 to 30 wt .-%;
  • the granules formed are dried at 80 to 250 ° C, preferably in a continuous drying tube, more preferably up to a residual moisture content of less than 1 wt .-%.
  • the granulated silica preferably by spray or roll granulation, obtained silica granules, also referred to as silica granules I, treated before it is processed into quartz glass bodies.
  • This pretreatment can serve various purposes, which either facilitate the processing into quartz glass bodies or influence the properties of the resulting quartz glass bodies.
  • the silica granules I may be compacted, cleaned, surface modified or dried.
  • the silica granules I may be subjected to a thermal, mechanical or chemical treatment or a combination of two or more treatments to obtain a silica granule II.
  • the silica granules I have a carbon content Wcpj.
  • the carbon content Wcpj is preferably less than 50 ppm, for example in the range of 5 to 45 ppm or of 15 to 40 ppm, particularly preferably in the range of 25 to 35 ppm, in each case based on the total weight of the silica granulate I.
  • the silica granule I comprises at least two particles.
  • the at least two particles can perform a relative movement to each other.
  • all measures known to the person skilled in the art and appearing suitable come into consideration as measures for generating the relative movement.
  • Particularly preferred is a mixing.
  • mixing can be carried out in any desired manner.
  • a continuous furnace is selected for this purpose.
  • the at least two particles can preferably perform a relative movement to each other by being moved in a continuous furnace, for example a rotary kiln.
  • Continuous ovens are understood to mean furnaces in which the loading and unloading of the furnace, the so-called charging, takes place continuously.
  • Examples of continuous furnaces are rotary kilns, roller kilns, conveyor ovens, drive-through ovens, push-through ovens.
  • rotary kilns are used to treat the silica granules I.
  • the silica granule I is treated with a reactant to obtain a silica granule II.
  • the treatment is carried out to change the concentration of certain substances in the silica granules.
  • the silica granulation lat I can Verrangraphyen or certain functionalities, the proportion is to be reduced, such as: OH groups, carbon-containing compounds, transition metals, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals.
  • the impurities and functionalities may originate from the starting material or be added during the process.
  • the treatment of the silica granulate I can serve various purposes.
  • the use of treated silica granules I may facilitate the processing of the silica granules into quartz glass bodies.
  • the properties of the resulting quartz glass body can be adjusted.
  • the silica granules I can be purified or surface-modified. The treatment of the silica granulate I can therefore be used to improve the properties of the resulting quartz glass body.
  • the reactants used are preferably a gas or a combination of several gases. This is also called gas mixture.
  • gases known to the person skilled in the art which are known and suitable for the said treatment.
  • a gas selected from the group consisting of HCl, Cl 2, F 2, 0 2, 0 3, H 2, C 2 F 4, C 2 F 6, HC10 4, air, inert gas, eg N 2, He, it is preferred Ne, Ar, Kr, or combinations of two or more of them.
  • the treatment is carried out in the presence of a gas or a combination of two or more as gases.
  • the treatment is carried out in a gas countercurrent, or in a gas direct current.
  • the reactant is selected from the group consisting of HCl, Cl 2 , F 2 , O 2 , O 3 or combinations of two or more thereof.
  • mixtures of two or more of the aforementioned gases are used to treat silica granules I.
  • metals contained as impurities in the silica granules I such as transition metals, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals can be removed.
  • the aforementioned metals with constituents of the gas mixture can undergo gaseous compounds under the process conditions, which are subsequently discharged and thus no longer present in the granules.
  • the OH content in the silica granules I can be reduced by treating the silica granules I with these gases.
  • a gas mixture of HCl and Cl 2 is used as the reactant.
  • the gas mixture preferably has a content of HCl in a range from 1 to 30% by volume, for example in a range from 2 to 15% by volume, more preferably in a range from 3 to 10% by volume.
  • the gas mixture has a content of Cl 2 in a range of 20 to 70 vol .-%, for example in a range of 25 to 65 vol .-%, particularly preferably in a range of 30 to 60 vol .-%.
  • the remainder to 100% by volume may be supplemented by one or more inert gases, eg N 2 , He, Ne, Ar, Kr, or by air.
  • the proportion of inert gas in reactants is preferably in a range from 0 to less than 50% by volume, for example in a range from 1 to 40% by volume or from 5 to 30% by volume, more preferably in one range from 10 to 20% by volume, based in each case on the total volume of the reactant.
  • 0 2 , C 2 F 2 , or mixtures thereof with Cl 2 are preferably used for the purification of silica granules I, which was prepared from a siloxane or a mixture of several siloxanes.
  • the reactant in the form of a gas or gas mixture is preferably used as a gas stream or as part of a gas stream with a throughput in a range of 50 to 2000 L / h, for example in a range of 100 to 1000 L / h, more preferably in a range of 200 up to 500 L / h contacted with the silica granules.
  • a preferred embodiment of the contacting is a contact of gas flow and silica granules in a continuous furnace, for example a rotary kiln. Another preferred embodiment of the contacting is a fluidized bed process.
  • a silica granule II having a carbon content Wcp j is obtained.
  • the carbon content Wcp j of the silica granules II is smaller than the carbon content w C (i) of the silica granules I based on the total weight of the respective silica granules.
  • wcp j is from 0.5 to 99%, for example from 0.5 to 50% or 1 to 45%, more preferably from 1.5 to 40% less than w C (i).
  • the silica granule I is additionally subjected to a thermal or mechanical treatment or a combination of these treatments.
  • One or more of these additional treatments may be before or during the treatment with the reactant.
  • the additional treatment can also be carried out on the silica granules II.
  • the general term "silica granules" used below includes the alternatives “silica granules I” and “silicon dioxide granules II.” It is also possible to apply the treatments described below to both the “silicon dioxide granules I" and the treated silicon dioxide granules I, the "silicon dioxide granules II ".
  • the treatment of the silica granules can serve a variety of purposes. For example, this treatment facilitates the processing of the silica granules into quartz glass bodies.
  • the treatment may also affect the properties of the resulting silica glass body.
  • the silica granules may be compacted, cleaned, surface modified or dried.
  • the specific surface area (BET) may decrease.
  • bulk density and average particle size may increase due to agglomeration of silica particles.
  • the thermal treatment can be carried out dynamically or statically.
  • all furnaces are suitable for the dynamic thermal treatment, in which the silicon dioxide granules can be thermally treated and thereby moved.
  • the dynamic thermal treatment preferably continuous furnaces are used.
  • a preferred average residence time of the silica granules in the dynamic thermal treatment is quantity dependent.
  • the average residence time of the silica granules in the dynamic thermal treatment is preferably in the range from 10 to 180 minutes, for example in the range from 20 to 120 minutes or from 30 to 90 minutes.
  • the mean residence time of the silica granules in the dynamic thermal treatment see in the range of 30 to 90 min.
  • a defined portion of a stream of silica granules eg one gram, one kilogram or one ton. Beginning and end of the stay are determined here by running in and out of the continuous furnace operation.
  • the throughput of the silica granules in a continuous process for dynamic thermal treatment is in the range of 1 to 50 kg / h, for example in the range of 5 to 40 kg / h or 8 to 30 kg / h. Particularly preferred is the throughput in the range of 10 to 20 kg / h.
  • the treatment time results from the period between a loading and subsequent unloading of the furnace.
  • the throughput is in a range of 1 to 50 kg / h, for example in the range of 5 to 40 kg / h or 8 to 30 kg / h.
  • the throughput is particularly preferably in the range from 10 to 20 kg / h.
  • the throughput can be achieved by a batch of a certain amount treated for one hour.
  • the throughput may be achieved by a number of batches per hour, for example, the amount of a batch corresponding to the throughput per hour by the number of batches.
  • the treatment time then corresponds to the fraction of an hour, which results from 60 minutes by the number of batches per hour.
  • the dynamic thermal treatment of the silica granules preferably takes place at an oven temperature of at least 500 ° C., for example in the range from 510 to 1700 ° C. or from 550 to 1500 ° C. or from 580 to 1300 ° C., particularly preferably in the range from 600 to 1200 ° C.
  • the oven in the oven chamber has the specified temperature.
  • this temperature deviates upwards or downwards from the indicated temperature by less than 10%, based on the total treatment time and the entire length of the furnace, both at each time of treatment and at each point of the furnace.
  • the continuous process of a dynamic thermal treatment of the silicon dioxide granules can take place at different furnace temperatures.
  • the oven may have a constant temperature over the treatment time, with the temperature varying in sections over the length of the oven. Such sections can be the same length or different lengths.
  • a temperature which increases from the inlet of the furnace to the outlet of the furnace is preferred.
  • the temperature at the inlet is at least 100 ° C lower than at the outlet, for example 150 ° C lower or 200 ° C lower or 300 ° C lower or 400 ° C lower. More preferably, the temperature at the exit is preferably at least 500 ° C., for example in the range from 510 to 1700 ° C.
  • the temperature at the inlet is preferably at least 300 ° C, for example from 400 to 1000 ° C or from 450 to 900 ° C or from 500 to 800 ° C or from 550 to 750 ° C, more preferably from 600 to 700 ° C.
  • each of the mentioned temperature ranges at the furnace inlet can be combined with each of the temperature ranges at the furnace outlet.
  • Preferred combinations of furnace inlet and furnace outlet temperature ranges are: Range Furnace inlet temperature [° C] Range Furnace outlet temperature [° C]
  • crucibles preferably are used in an oven.
  • Crucibles or tin crucibles are suitable as crucibles.
  • a sintered crucible is a crucible made of a sintered material containing at least one sintered metal and having a density of not more than 96% of the theoretical density of the metal. The sintered material and the sintered metal in the sinter crucible are not rolled.
  • a crucible, referred to as a sheet crucible includes one or more rolled sheets. As a rule, rolled sheet bars are made of several, riveted plates. Examples of refractory materials are refractory metals, in particular tungsten, molybdenum and tantalum.
  • the crucibles may also be formed from graphite or, in the case of crucibles of refractory metals, be lined with graphite foil. More preferably, the crucibles may be formed of silicon dioxide. Particular preference is given to using silicon dioxide crucibles.
  • the average residence time of the silica granules in the static thermal treatment is quantity-dependent.
  • the average residence time of the silica granules in the static thermal treatment at an amount of 20 kg of silica granules I in the range of 10 to 180 minutes, for example in the range of 20 to 120 minutes, more preferably in the range of 30 to 90 min.
  • the static thermal treatment of the silica granules is carried out at an oven temperature of at least 800 ° C, for example in the range of 900 to 1700 ° C or 950 to 1600 ° C or 1000 to 1500 ° C or 1050 to 1400 ° C, especially preferably in the range of 1100 to 1300 ° C.
  • the static thermal treatment of the silicon dioxide granules I preferably takes place at a constant oven temperature.
  • the static thermal treatment can also be carried out at a varying oven temperature.
  • the temperature preferably increases in the course of the treatment, the temperature at the beginning of the treatment being lower by at least 50 ° C. than at the end, for example 70 ° C. lower or 80 ° C. lower or 100 ° C. lower or 110 ° C lower, and wherein the temperature at the end is preferably at least 800 ° C, for example in the range of 900 to 1700 ° C or 950 to 1600 ° C or 1000 to 1500 ° C or 1050 to 1400 ° C, especially preferably in the range of 1100 to 1300 ° C. mechanically
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I can be treated mechanically.
  • the mechanical treatment can be carried out to increase the bulk density.
  • the mechanical treatment can be combined with the thermal treatment described above.
  • a mechanical treatment of the silicon dioxide granules promotes uniform contact of the surfaces of the individual silicon dioxide granules with the gas or the gases. This is achieved in particular with a combination of simultaneous mechanical and chemical treatment with one or more gases. Thereby, the effect of the chemical treatment can be improved.
  • the mechanical treatment of the silica granules may be accomplished by moving two or more silica granules in relative motion, for example, by rotating the tube of a rotary kiln.
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I is preferably treated chemically, thermally and mechanically. In particular, a simultaneous chemical, thermal and mechanical treatment of the silica granules I.
  • the silica granules I can be treated in a rotary kiln at elevated temperature under a chlorine- and oxygen-containing atmosphere. Water present in silicon dioxide granules I evaporates, organic materials react to CO and CO 2 . Metal contaminants can be converted to volatile, chlorine-containing compounds.
  • the chlorine-containing atmosphere contains, for example, HCl or CI 2 or a combination of both. This treatment causes a reduction of the carbon content.
  • alkali and iron impurities are preferably reduced.
  • a reduction in the number of OH groups is preferably achieved. At temperatures below 700 ° C, long treatment periods may result, at temperatures above 1100 ° C there is a risk that pores of the granules close to include chlorine or gaseous chlorine compounds.
  • step II.2) is characterized by at least one, for example by at least two or at least three, more preferably by a combination of all of the following features:
  • the reactant includes HCl, CI 2 or a combination thereof;
  • the treatment is carried out at a temperature in a range of 600 to 900 ° C; N4) the reactant forms a countercurrent;
  • the reactant has a gas flow in a range of 50 to 2000 L / h, preferably 100 to 1000
  • L / h more preferably 200 to 500 L / h;
  • the reactant has a volume fraction of inert gas in a range of 0 to less than 50
  • the silica granules I have a particle diameter which is larger than the particle diameter of the silica powder.
  • the particle diameter of the silica granule I is up to 300 times larger than the particle diameter of the silica powder, for example up to 250 times greater or up to 200 times larger or up to 150 times larger or up to 100 times larger or up to 50 times larger or Up to 20 times larger or up to 10 times larger, more preferably 2 to 5 times larger.
  • silica granules thus obtained are also referred to as silica granules II. More preferably, the silica granules II are obtained from the silica granules I in a rotary kiln by means of a combination of thermal, mechanical and chemical treatment.
  • the silica granulate provided in step i.) Is preferably selected from the group consisting of silica granules I, silica granules II and a combination thereof.
  • silicon dioxide granules I granules of silicon dioxide which are produced by granulation of silicon dioxide powder which was obtained in the pyrolysis of silicon compounds in a fuel gas flame.
  • Silicon granules II is understood as meaning a granulate of silicon dioxide which is formed by post-treatment of the silicon dioxide granulate I. As after-treatment, chemical, thermal and / or mechanical treatments are contemplated in detail in the description of the provision of the silicon dioxide granules (process step II first object of the invention).
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I provided in step i.) Is particularly preferably the silicon dioxide granulate I.
  • the silicon dioxide granule I has the following features:
  • a BET surface area in the range of 20 to 50 m 2 / g for example in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g; more preferably in a range of 25 to 35 m 2 / g;
  • the microporous fraction preferably amounts to a BET surface area in the range from 4 to 5 m 2 / g; for example, in a range of 4.1 to 4.9 m 2 / g; more preferably in a range of 4.2 to 4.8 m 2 / g; and
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I is preferably characterized by at least one, for example by at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably by at least five of the following features:
  • [C] has a bulk density in a range of 0.5 to 1.2 g / cm 3 , for example, in a range of
  • [E] has an aluminum content of less than 200 ppb, preferably less than 100 ppb, for example less than 50 ppb or from 1 to 200 ppb or from 15 to 100 ppb, more preferably in a range from 1 to 50 ppb.
  • [G] a pore volume in a range of 0.1 to 1.5 mL / g, for example in a range of
  • Metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1000 ppb preferably in a range of 1 to 900 ppb, for example in a range of 1 to 700 ppb, more preferably in a range of 1 to 500 ppb ;
  • [J] has a residual moisture of less than 10% by weight, preferably in a range of from 0.01% by weight to
  • the OH content also hydroxy group content, is understood as meaning the content of OH groups in a material, for example in silica powder, in silicon dioxide granules or in a quartz glass body.
  • the content of OH groups is determined spectroscopically in the infrared by comparing the first and third OH bands.
  • the chlorine content is understood as meaning the content of elemental chlorine or chloride ions in the silicon dioxide granules, the silicon dioxide powder or the quartz glass body.
  • the aluminum content is understood as meaning the content of elemental aluminum or aluminum ions in the silicon dioxide granules, the silicon dioxide powder or the quartz glass body.
  • the silica granule I has a microporous fraction in a range of 4 to 5 m 2 / g; for example, in a range of 4.1 to 4.9 m 2 / g; more preferably in a range of 4.2 to 4.8 m 2 / g.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has a density in a range of 2.1 to 2.3 g / cm 3 , more preferably in a range of 2.18 to 2.22 g / cm 3 .
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I preferably has an average particle size in a range from 180 to 300 ⁇ m, for example in a range from 220 to 280 ⁇ m, particularly preferably in a range from 230 to 270 ⁇ m.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has a particle size D 50 in a range of 150 to 300 ⁇ m, for example in a range of 200 to 280 ⁇ m, particularly preferably in a range of 230 to 270 ⁇ m. Further preferably, the silica granules I have a particle size D 10 in a range of 50 to 150 ⁇ , for example in a range of 100 to 150 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 120 to 150 ⁇ on. Further preferably, the silica granules I a particle size D 90 in a range of 250 to 620 ⁇ , for example in a range of 300 to 550 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 300 to 450 ⁇ on.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C] or [A] / [B] / [E] or [A] / [B] / [G], more preferably the combination of features [A ] / [B] / [C] / [E] or [A] / [B] / [C] / [G] or [A] / [B] / [E] / [G], particularly preferably the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C] / [e] / [G].
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ and the Bulk density is in a range of 0.6 to 1.1 g / mL.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [E], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ and the Aluminum content is in a range of 1 to 50 ppb.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [G], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ and the Pore volume is in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mL / g.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C] / [E], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ , the bulk density in a range of 0.6 to 1.1 g / mL and the aluminum content in a range of 1 to 50 ppb.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C] / [G], wherein the BET
  • the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ is in a range of 0.6 to 1.1 g / mL and the pore volume is in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mL / g.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [E] / [G], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 180 to 300 ⁇ , the aluminum content in a range of 1 to 50 ppb and the pore volume in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mL / g.
  • the silica granulate I preferably has the combination of features [A] / [B] / [C] / [E] / [G], wherein the BET surface area in a range of 20 to 40 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a Range from 180 to 300 ⁇ , the bulk density in a range of 0.6 to 1.1 g / mL, the aluminum content in a range of 1 to 50 ppb and the pore volume in a range of 0.2 to 0.8 mL / g is.
  • Particle size is understood to be the size of the particles composed of the primary particles which are present in a silica powder, in a slurry or in a silica granulate.
  • the mean particle size is understood as meaning the arithmetic mean of all particle sizes of said substance.
  • the D 50 value indicates that 50% of the particles, based on the total number of particles, are smaller than the specified value.
  • the D 10 value indicates that 10% of the particles, based on the total number of particles, are smaller than the specified value.
  • the D 90 value indicates that 90% of the particles, based on the total number of particles, are smaller than the specified value.
  • the particle size is determined by dynamic image analysis method according to ISO 13322-2: 2006-11.
  • the silicon dioxide granules provided in step i.) are the silicon dioxide granules II.
  • the silicon dioxide granules II have the following features:
  • the silicon dioxide granules II preferably have at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following characteristics:
  • (C) a bulk density in a range of 0.7 to 1.2 g / cm 3 , for example, in a range of 0.75 to 1.1 g / cm 3 , particularly preferably in a range of 0.8 to 1 , 0 g / cm 3 ;
  • (G) a pore volume in a range of 0.1 to 2.5 mL / g, for example, in a range of 0.2 to 1.5 mL / g; more preferably in a range of 0.4 to 1 mL / g;
  • wt .-%, ppm and ppb are each based on the total weight of the silica granules II.
  • the silica granule II has a microporous fraction in a range of 1 to 2 m 2 / g, for example in a range of 1.2 to 1.9 m 2 / g, particularly preferably in a range of 1.3 to 1.8 m 2 / g on.
  • the silica granule II preferably has a density in a range from 0.5 to 2.0 g / cm 3 , for example from 0.6 to 1.5 g / cm 3 , particularly preferably from 0.8 to 1.2 g / cm 3 up.
  • the density is determined according to the method described in the test methods.
  • the silica granules II preferably has a particle size D 50 in a range of 150 to 300 ⁇ , for example in a range of 200 to 280 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 230 to 270 ⁇ .
  • the silicon dioxide granulate II preferably has a particle size D 10 in a range from 50 to 150 ⁇ m, for example in a range from 100 to 150 ⁇ m, particularly preferably in a range from 120 to 150 ⁇ m.
  • the granular silica II has a particle size D 90 in a range of 250 to 620 ⁇ , for example in a range of 300 to 550 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 300 to 450 ⁇ on.
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (D) or (A) / (B) / (F) or (A) / (B) / (I), more preferably the combination of features (A ) / (B) / (D) / (F) or (A) / (B) / (D) / (I) or (A) / (B) / (F) / (I), particularly preferably the combination of features (A) / (B) / (D) / (F) / (I).
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (D), wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the mean particle size is in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ and the carbon content is less than 4 ppm.
  • the silica granules II preferably has the combination of features (A) / (B) / (F), wherein the BET surface area in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ and the Tamping density is in a range of 0.8 to 1.0 g / mL.
  • the silica granules II preferably has the combination of features (A) / (B) / (I), wherein the BET surface area in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ and the Metal content of metals other than aluminum in a range of 1 to 400 ppb.
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (D) / (F), wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ , the carbon content is less than 4 ppm and the tamped density is in a range of 0.8 to 1.0 g / mL.
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (D) / (I), wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ , the carbon content is less than 4 ppm and the metal content of metals other than aluminum, in a range of 1 to 400 ppb.
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (F) / (I), wherein the BET surface area in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ , the tamped density in a range of 0.8 to 1.0 g / mL and the metal content of metals other than aluminum, in a range of 1 to 400 ppb.
  • the silica granule II preferably has the feature combination (A) / (B) / (D) / (F) / (I), wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the average particle size in is a range of 150 to 280 ⁇ m, the carbon content is less than 4 ppm, the tamped density is in a range of 0.8 to 1.0 g / ml, and the metal content of metals other than aluminum is in a range of 1 to 400 ppb.
  • a glass melt is formed from the silica granules.
  • the silica granules are heated until a glass melt is obtained.
  • the heating of the silicon dioxide granules to a molten glass can in principle be carried out in any way known to the person skilled in the art for this purpose. Making a glass melt
  • the formation of a glass melt from the silica granules can be carried out by a continuous process.
  • the silicon dioxide granules may preferably be introduced continuously into an oven or the glass melt may be removed continuously from the oven, or both. More preferably, the silica granules are continuously introduced into the furnace and the molten glass continuously removed from the furnace.
  • a furnace which has at least one inlet and at least one outlet.
  • An inlet means an opening through which silicon dioxide and optionally further substances can be introduced into the furnace.
  • An outlet means an opening through which at least part of the silicon dioxide can be removed from the oven.
  • the oven may be vertically and horizontally aligned.
  • the oven is vertically aligned.
  • at least one inlet is located above at least one outlet.
  • "Above" in connection with internals and features of a furnace, in particular an inlet and outlet means that the fixture or feature located "above” another occupies a higher position NormalNull (NN).
  • N NormalNull
  • vertical is meant that the direct connection between the inlet and the outlet of the furnace has a deviation of not more than 30 ° to the direction of the solder.
  • the oven includes a hanging sintered crucible.
  • the silica granules are introduced and heated to obtain a glass melt.
  • a sintered crucible is understood to mean a crucible made of a sintered material containing at least one sintered metal and wherein the sintered metal has a density of not more than 96% of the theoretical density of the metal.
  • sintered metals is meant metals or alloys obtained by sintering metal powders.
  • the sintered material of the sintered crucible preferably has a density of 85% or more of the theoretical density of the sintered material, for example a density of 85% to 95% or of 90% to 94%, particularly preferably of 91% to 93%.
  • the sintered material can consist of all materials known to those skilled in the art and suitable for melting silicon dioxide.
  • the sintered material is made of at least one of the elements selected from the group consisting of refractory metals, graphite or lined with graphite foil materials.
  • the sintered material preferably contains a first sintered metal selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and a combination thereof. More preferably, the sintered material further includes at least one further refractory metal other than the first sintered metal, more preferably selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the sintered material includes an alloy of molybdenum with a refractory metal, or tungsten with a refractory metal. Particularly preferred as the alloying metal are rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the sintered material includes an alloy of molybdenum with tungsten, rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the sintered material includes an alloy of tungsten with molybdenum, rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the above-described sintered material may include a coating containing a refractory metal, in particular rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the coating contains rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum or tungsten, or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the sintered material and its coating have various compositions.
  • a sintered material including molybdenum is coated with one or more layers of rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, tungsten, or each a combination of two or more thereof.
  • a sintered material including tungsten is coated with one or more layers of rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, molybdenum, or any combination of two or more thereof.
  • the sintered material may be rhenium alloyed molybdenum or rhenium alloyed tungsten, and may be coated on the inside of the crucible with one or more layers including rhenium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium or any combination of two or more thereof.
  • a sintered crucible is made by sintering the sintered material in a mold.
  • the sintered crucible can be made as a whole in one mold. It is also possible that individual parts of the sintered crucible are manufactured in a mold and subsequently processed into the sintered crucible.
  • the crucible is made of more than one part, for example, a bottom plate and one or more side parts. The side parts are preferably manufactured in one piece based on the circumference of the crucible.
  • the sintered crucible can be manufactured from a plurality of side parts arranged one above the other.
  • the side parts of the sintered crucible are sealed by screwing or by a tongue and groove joint.
  • Screwing is preferably done by making side pieces which have a thread at the edges.
  • two side parts to be joined each have a groove at the edges, into which a spring is inserted as a connecting third part, so that a positive connection is formed perpendicular to the crucible wall plane.
  • a sintered crucible is produced from more than one side part, for example from two or more side parts, particularly preferably from three or more side parts.
  • the parts of the hanging sintered crucible are screwed.
  • the bottom plate can in principle be connected to the crucible wall by all measures known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose.
  • the bottom plate is provided with an external thread and is connected by screwing the bottom plate in the crucible wall with this.
  • the bottom plate is connected by means of screws with the crucible wall.
  • the bottom plate is suspended in the sintered crucible, for example by inserting the bottom plate on an inner collar of the crucible wall.
  • at least a part of the crucible wall and a thickened bottom plate are sintered in one piece.
  • the bottom plate and the crucible wall of the hanging sintered crucible are screwed.
  • the bottom plate contained in a sintered crucible is thicker than the sides, for example 1.1 to 20 times thicker or 1.2 to 10 times thicker or 1.5 to 7 times thicker, more preferably 2 to 5 times thicker.
  • the sides preferably have a constant wall thickness over the circumference and over the height of the sintered crucible.
  • the sinter crucible has a nozzle.
  • the nozzle is formed of a nozzle material.
  • the nozzle material preferably comprises a precompressed material, for example with a density in a range of more than 95%, for example from 98 to 100%, particularly preferably from 99 to 99.999%, in each case based on the theoretical density of the nozzle material.
  • the nozzle material includes a refractory metal, for example, molybdenum, tungsten, or a combination thereof with a refractory metal.
  • a refractory metal for example, molybdenum, tungsten, or a combination thereof with a refractory metal.
  • Particularly preferred nozzle material is molybdenum.
  • a nozzle containing molybdenum may have a density of 100% of the theoretical density.
  • the hanging sintered crucible can in principle be heated in any manner familiar to the person skilled in the art and appear suitable for this purpose.
  • the hanging sintered crucible can be heated, for example, inductively or resistively.
  • inductive heating the energy is coupled directly by means of coils in the side wall of the sinter crucible and discharged from there to the inside of the crucible.
  • resistive heating the energy is coupled by radiation, the solid surface is heated from the outside and the energy is discharged from there to the inside.
  • the sintered crucible is preferably heated inductively.
  • the energy input into the sintered crucible is not effected by heating the sinter crucible, or a melt therein, or both, by means of a flame, such as a burner flame directed into the sinter crucible or crucible.
  • the sintered crucible has one or more than one heating zone, for example one or two or three or more than three heating zones, preferably one or two or three heating zones, particularly preferably a heating zone.
  • the heating zones of the sinter crucible can be brought to the same or different temperatures. For example, all heating zones can be heated to one temperature or all heating zones to different temperatures, or two or more heating zones to one and one or more heating zones can be independently brought to different temperatures.
  • all heating zones are brought to different temperatures, for example, the temperature of the heating zones increases in the direction of material transport of the silica granules.
  • a hanging sintered crucible is understood to mean a sinter crucible of the type described above, which is suspended in a furnace.
  • the hanging sintered crucible has at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, particularly preferably all of the following features:
  • ⁇ a ⁇ a suspension preferably a height-adjustable suspension
  • ⁇ b ⁇ at least two sealed rings as side parts, preferably at least two rings screwed together as side parts;
  • ⁇ c ⁇ a nozzle preferably a nozzle fixedly connected to the crucible
  • ⁇ d ⁇ a mandrel for example a mandrel fixed to the nozzle by means of webs or a mandrel fastened to the cover by means of a support rod or a mandrel connected to a support rod from below the crucible
  • At least one gas inlet e.g. in the form of a filling tube or as a separate inlet, particularly preferably in the form of a filling tube;
  • a cooled jacket more preferably a water-cooled jacket
  • an insulation on the outside of the crucible for example on the outside of the cooled shell, preferably an insulating layer of zirconium oxide.
  • a suspension is a suspension mounted in the production of the hanging sintered crucible, for example a suspension provided as an integral part of the crucible, more preferably a suspension of the sintered material provided as an integral part of the crucible.
  • a suspension attached to the sintered crucible made of a material other than the sintered material, for example aluminum, steel, iron, nickel or copper, preferably copper, more preferably a cooled one, for example a water-cooled one Sinter crucible mounted copper suspension.
  • the hanging sintered crucible can be moved in the oven.
  • the crucible can be at least partially moved in and out of the furnace. If different heating zones are present in the oven, their temperature profiles are transferred to the crucible located in the oven. By changing the position of the crucible in the oven so several heating zones, varying heating zones or several varying heating zones can be realized in the crucible.
  • the crucible is connected to the inlet and outlet of the furnace such that silica granules can pass into the crucible through the inlet of the furnace via the inlet of the crucible and glass melt can be withdrawn through the outlet of the crucible and the outlet of the furnace.
  • the crucible adjacent to the at least one inlet at least one opening, preferably a plurality of openings through which gas can be introduced and discharged.
  • the crucible comprises at least two openings, wherein at least one can be used as a gas inlet and at least one as a gas outlet. The use of at least one opening as gas inlet and at least one opening as gas outlet preferably leads to a gas flow in the crucible.
  • the silica granules are introduced into the crucible and then heated in the crucible.
  • the heating may be carried out in the presence of a gas or a mixture of two or more gases.
  • water bound to the silica granules may also pass into the gas phase to form another gas.
  • the gas or mixture of two or more gases is in the headspace of the crucible.
  • the gas space of the crucible is understood to mean the area inside the crucible which is not occupied by a solid or liquid phase. Suitable gases are, for example, hydrogen, inert gases and two or more thereof.
  • Inert gases are understood to mean those gases which do not react with the substances provided in the crucible up to a temperature of 2400 ° C.
  • Preferred inert gases are Nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, most preferably argon and helium.
  • the heating is carried out in a reducing atmosphere.
  • This may preferably be provided by hydrogen or a combination of hydrogen and an inert gas, for example by a combination of hydrogen and helium, or of hydrogen and nitrogen, or of hydrogen and argon, more preferably by a combination of hydrogen and helium.
  • an at least partial gas exchange of air, oxygen and water to hydrogen, at least one inert gas, or against a combination of hydrogen and at least one inert gas is carried out on the silica granules.
  • the at least partial gas exchange is performed on the silica granules upon introduction of the silica granules, or before heating, or during heating, or during at least two of the aforementioned activities.
  • the silica granules are heated to melt in a gas stream of hydrogen and at least one inert gas, for example, argon or helium.
  • the dew point of the gas as it exits through the gas outlet is less than 0 ° C.
  • the dew point is understood to mean the temperature below which, under unchanged pressure, a constituent of the gas or gas mixture under investigation condenses. In general, this refers to the condensation of water.
  • the dew point is determined with a dew point mirror hygrometer according to the measuring method described in the Methods section
  • the furnace preferably also a crucible located therein, at least one gas outlet, is removed through the gas supplied to the furnace and formed during operation of the furnace.
  • the furnace may also have at least one dedicated gas inlet.
  • gas may be introduced through the solids feed, also referred to as a solids inlet, for example, together with the silica particles, or before, after, or by a combination of two or more of the foregoing.
  • the gas withdrawn from the furnace through the gas outlet upon exiting the furnace through the gas outlet, has a dew point of less than 0 ° C, for example less than -10 ° C, or less than -20 ° C.
  • the dew point is determined according to the measuring method described in the method section at a slight overpressure of 5 to 20 mbar.
  • a device called "Optidew” from Michell Instruments GmbH, D-61381 Friedrichsdorf is suitable as a measuring device
  • the dew point of the gas is preferably determined at a measuring point at a distance of 10 cm or more from the gas outlet of the furnace this distance is between 10 cm and 5 m.
  • the distance of the measuring point from the gas outlet of the furnace is irrelevant for the result of the dew point measurement.
  • the gas is guided in a fluid-conducting manner from the outlet to the measuring point, for example in a hose or a pipe.
  • the temperature of the gas at the measuring point is often between 10 and 60 ° C, for example 20 to 50 ° C, in particular 20 to 30 ° C. Suitable gases and gas mixtures have already been described. It was found in the course of our own experiments that the above information applies to each of the gases and gas mixtures mentioned.
  • the gas or gas mixture before entry into the furnace, in particular the crucible has a dew point of less than -50 ° C, for example less than -60 ° C, or less than -70 ° C, or less than -80 ° C.
  • a dew point of -60 ° C is usually not exceeded.
  • the dew point of the gas before entering the furnace is at least 50 ° C less than when it leaves the crucible, for example at least 60 ° C, or even 80 ° C.
  • the above information applies.
  • the furnace in particular the crucible, is operated at a gas exchange rate in a range from 200 to 3000 L / h.
  • the dew point is determined in a measuring cell, wherein the measuring cell is separated by a membrane from the gas passing through the gas outlet.
  • the membrane is preferably permeable to moisture.
  • a dew point mirror measuring device is used to determine the dew point.
  • the dew point at the gas outlet of the oven can be adjusted.
  • a method of adjusting the dew point at the outlet of the furnace includes the following steps:
  • the dew point can be adjusted to a range of less than 0 ° C, for example, less than -10 ° C, more preferably less than -20 ° C. More preferably, the dew point can be set in a range of less than 0 ° C to -100 ° C, for example, less than -10 ° C to -80 ° C, more preferably less than -20 ° C to -60 ° C become.
  • input material is understood as meaning silicon dioxide particles provided for the production of a quartz glass body, preferably silica granules, silica granules or combinations thereof
  • silicon dioxide particles, the granules and the granules are preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the first article.
  • the furnace and the gas stream are preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the first subject.
  • the gas stream is formed by introducing a gas through an inlet into the furnace and discharging a gas through an outlet from the furnace.
  • the "gas exchange rate” is understood to mean the volume of gas that is passed out of the furnace per outlet through the outlet,
  • the gas exchange rate is also referred to as the flow rate of the gas or as the volume flow rate.
  • the setting of the dew point can be effected in particular by varying the residual moisture of the input material or the gas exchange rate of the gas stream. For example, by increasing the residual moisture of the input material, the dew point can be increased. By reducing residual moisture of the input material, the dew point can be lowered. An increased gas exchange rate can lead to a reduction in the dew point. On the other hand, a reduced gas exchange rate can result in an increased dew point.
  • the gas exchange rate of the gas stream is preferably in a range from 200 to 3000 L / h, for example from 200 to 2000 L / h, particularly preferably from 200 to 1000 L / h.
  • the residual moisture of the starting material is preferably in a range from 0.001% by weight to 5% by weight, for example from 0.01 to 1% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.03 to 0.5% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the input material.
  • the dew point can preferably be influenced by further measures.
  • measures are the dew point of the gas stream entering the furnace, the furnace temperature and the composition of the gas stream. Reducing the dew point of the gas stream as it enters the furnace, reducing the furnace temperature, or decreasing the temperature of the gas stream at the outlet of the furnace may result in a reduction in the dew point of the gas stream at the outlet.
  • the temperature of the gas stream at the exit of the furnace has no influence on the dew point, if it is above the dew point.
  • the gas exchange rate of the gas stream is varied.
  • the process is preferably characterized by at least one, for example at least two or at least three, more preferably at least four of the following features:
  • an oven temperature in a range of 1700 to 2500 ° C, for example in a range of 1900 to 2400 ° C, more preferably in a range of 2100 to 2300 ° C;
  • V ⁇ the gas stream comprises helium, hydrogen or a combination thereof, preferably helium and hydrogen in a ratio of from 20:80 to 95: 5;
  • VI ⁇ a temperature of the gas at the outlet in a range of 10 to 60 ° C, for example from 20 to 50 ° C, particularly preferably from 20 to 30 ° C.
  • a gas stream with a high gas exchange rate and a low dew point at the inlet of the furnace when using a granular silica with a high residual moisture content.
  • a gas stream with a low gas exchange rate and a higher dew point can be used at the inlet of the furnace.
  • the gas exchange rate of a gas stream comprising helium and hydrogen is particularly preferably in the range from 200 to 3000 L / h.
  • the furnace temperature for melting the silica granules is preferably in the range of 1700 to 2500 ° C, for example, in the range of 1900 to 2400 ° C, more preferably in the range of 2100 to 2300 ° C.
  • the residence time in the furnace is preferably in the range from 1 hour to 50 hours, for example 1 to 30 hours, particularly preferably 5 to 20 hours.
  • the residence time in the context of the present invention means the time required to remove a fill amount of the melting furnace according to the method during the implementation of the method according to the invention, the melting furnace in which the molten glass is formed.
  • the filling quantity is the total amount of silicon dioxide present in the melting furnace.
  • the silicon dioxide can be present as a solid and as a glass melt.
  • the furnace temperature increases over the length, in the direction of material transport.
  • the furnace temperature preferably increases over the length, in the direction of material transport by at least 100 ° C., for example by at least 300 ° C. or by at least 500 ° C. or by at least 700 ° C., more preferably by at least 1000 ° C.
  • the highest temperature in the oven is 1700 to 2500 ° C, for example 1900 to 2400 ° C, more preferably 2100 to 2300 ° C.
  • the increase in the oven temperature can be uniform or according to a temperature profile.
  • the oven temperature decreases before the glass melt is removed from the oven.
  • the oven temperature before the glass melt is removed from the oven by 50 to 500 ° C from, for example, to 100 ° C or 400 ° C, more preferably from 150 to 300 ° C.
  • the temperature of the glass melt during removal is preferably 1750 to 2100 ° C, for example 1850 to 2050 ° C, particularly preferably 1900 to 2000 ° C.
  • the oven temperature increases over the length, in the direction of material transport, and before the glass melt is removed from the oven.
  • the oven temperature increases over the length, in the direction of material transport by at least 100 ° C, for example by at least 300 ° C or by at least 500 ° C or by at least 700 ° C, more preferably by at least 1000 ° C.
  • the highest temperature in the oven is 1700 to 2500 ° C, for example 1900 to 2400 ° C, more preferably 2100 to 2300 ° C.
  • a molten glass can also be formed in a vertical sintered crucible. This is mounted on the floor of the stove standing.
  • a hanging sintered crucible can also be moved in operation with simple means relative to the furnace, and thus to the heating, in the vertical.
  • the easy mobility relative to the heater allows a quick control and adjustment of the position of the present in the crucible melting zone.
  • a hanging sintered crucible can also be moved horizontally during operation; thereby, the geometry of the withdrawn from the crucible quartz glass strand can be controlled;
  • a hanging sinter crucible is easier to convert than a standing sinter crucible.
  • a glass melt can also be formed in a sheet metal crucible.
  • a sheet metal crucible is understood to mean a crucible which contains at least one rolled sheet.
  • a sheet metal crucible preferably has a plurality of rolled sheets.
  • a sheet metal crucible suitable for melting silicon dioxide is made of sheets of a sintered and rolled material, in particular of sintered metal, for example of molybdenum, tungsten or a combination thereof. Such sheets regularly have a density of more than 96% of the theoretical density, for example a density of more than 96% to 98%, or of 98 to 99.95%.
  • the theoretical density of a material corresponds to the density of a nonporous and 100% dense material.
  • the density of the sheet can be obtained by sintering a sintered metal and then compacting, that is, for example, rolling the sintered material.
  • a sinter crucible can be heated by induction. So a multi-zone heating is well feasible.
  • the furnace has at least a first and a further chambers connected to each other through a passage, wherein the first and the further chamber have different temperatures, wherein the temperature of the first chamber is lower than the temperature of the further chamber.
  • a glass melt is formed from the silica granules.
  • This chamber is referred to below as the melting chamber.
  • a connected to the melting chamber via a fabric guide, but upstream chamber is also referred to as preheating. It is, for example, that in which at least one outlet is directly connected to an inlet of the melting chamber.
  • the aforementioned arrangement can also be formed in independent ovens.
  • the melting chamber is a melting furnace. With regard to the further description, however, the melting furnace can be understood to be synonymous with the melting chamber. Accordingly, the remarks on the melting furnace also apply to the melting chamber, and vice versa.
  • the term preheating line is the same for both approaches.
  • the silica granules entering the furnace have a temperature in a range of 20 to 1300 ° C.
  • the silica granules are not tempered before entering the melting chamber.
  • the silica granules entering the oven have a temperature in a range of 20 to 40 ° C, more preferably 20 to 30 ° C.
  • silicon dioxide granules II are provided in accordance with step i.)
  • It preferably has a temperature in the range from 20 to 40 ° C., particularly preferably from 20 to 30 ° C., on entering the furnace.
  • the silica granules are tempered before entering the furnace to a temperature in a range of 40 to 1300 ° C.
  • Tempering means setting the temperature to a selected value.
  • the tempering can be carried out on all paths known to the person skilled in the art and known for tempering silicon dioxide granules.
  • the tempering may be carried out in a furnace separate from the melting chamber or in an oven connected to the melting chamber.
  • the tempering takes place in a chamber connected to the melting chamber.
  • the furnace thus preferably comprises a preheating section in which the silicon dioxide can be tempered.
  • the preheating section itself is preferably a continuous furnace, particularly preferably a rotary kiln.
  • a continuous furnace is understood to mean a heated chamber which, during operation, causes a movement of the silicon dioxide from an inlet of the continuous furnace to an outlet of the continuous furnace.
  • the outlet is directly connected to the inlet of the melting furnace.
  • the silica granules from the preheating without further intermediate steps or measures can enter the furnace.
  • the preheating section comprises at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet.
  • gas inlet gas can enter the interior, the gas space of the preheating, and through the gas outlet, it can be discharged.
  • gas inlet gas can enter the interior, the gas space of the preheating, and through the gas outlet, it can be discharged.
  • gas into the preheating section via the inlet for the silicon dioxide granules of the preheating section.
  • gas can be discharged via the outlet of the preheating section and subsequently separated from the silicon dioxide granulate.
  • gas can be supplied via the inlet for the silicon dioxide granules and a gas inlet to the preheating section, and discharged via the outlet of the preheating section and a gas outlet of the preheating section.
  • a gas flow is formed in the preheat section by using the gas inlet and the gas outlet.
  • gases are, for example, hydrogen, inert gases and two or more thereof.
  • Preferred inert gases are nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, more preferably nitrogen and helium.
  • a reducing atmosphere is present in the preheating section. This may preferably be provided by hydrogen or a combination of hydrogen and an inert gas, for example by a combination of hydrogen and helium or of hydrogen and nitrogen, more preferably by a combination of hydrogen and helium.
  • an oxidizing atmosphere is present in the preheating section. This may preferably be provided by oxygen or a combination of oxygen and one or more further gases, more preferably air. It is further preferably possible to temper the silicon dioxide at reduced pressure in the preheating section.
  • the silica granules entering the furnace have a temperature in the range of 100 to 1100 ° C or 300 to 1000 or 600 to 900 ° C.
  • Silicon dioxide granules II When heated it preferably has a temperature in the range of 100 to 1100 ° C or 300 to 1000 or 600 to 900 ° C when entering the furnace.
  • the furnace includes at least two chambers.
  • the furnace includes a first and at least one further chamber.
  • the first and the further chambers are connected to each other through a passage.
  • the at least two chambers can in principle be arranged as desired in the oven, preferably vertically or horizontally, particularly preferably vertically.
  • the chambers are arranged in the furnace so that in the implementation of the method according to the first subject of the invention, silica granules pass through the first chamber and then heated in the further chamber to obtain a molten glass.
  • the further chamber preferably has the above-described features of the melting furnace and the crucible arranged therein.
  • each of the chambers includes an inlet and an outlet.
  • the inlet of the furnace is connected to the inlet of the first chamber through a passage.
  • the outlet of the furnace is connected to the outlet of the further chamber through a passage.
  • the outlet of the first chamber is connected through an aperture to the inlet of the further chamber.
  • the chambers are preferably arranged in the furnace in such a way that the silica granules can pass into the first chamber through the inlet of the furnace.
  • the chambers are preferably arranged in the furnace such that a silicon dioxide glass melt can be removed from the further chamber through the outlet of the furnace.
  • the silica granules can enter the first chamber through the inlet of the furnace and a silicon dioxide glass melt can be taken out of another chamber through the outlet of the furnace.
  • the silica can pass as granules or powder in the direction predetermined by the method of transporting material from a first chamber to another.
  • Chambers connected by a passage include arrangements in which further intermediate elements are arranged between a first and a further chamber in the direction of material transport.
  • the passage can in principle happen gases, liquids and solids.
  • silica powders, slurries of silica powder and silica granules may pass the transition between a first and a further chamber.
  • all substances introduced into the first chamber can pass into the further chamber via the passage between the first and the further chambers.
  • the passage between the first and further chamber Preferably passes through the passage between the first and further chamber only silica in the form of granules or powder in the other chamber.
  • the passage between the first and the further chamber is closed by the silicon dioxide, so that the gas space of the first and the further chamber are separated from each other, preferably so that in the gas spaces different gases or gas mixtures, different pressures or both can be present.
  • the passage is formed by a lock, preferably by a rotary valve.
  • the first chamber of the furnace preferably has at least one gas inlet and at least one gas outlet.
  • the gas inlet may in principle have any shape which is known to those skilled in the art and suitable for introducing a gas, for example a nozzle, a valve or a pipe.
  • the gas outlet may in principle have any shape which is known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for discharging a gas, for example a nozzle, a valve or a pipe.
  • silica granules are introduced into the first chamber through the inlet of the furnace and heated.
  • the heating may be carried out in the presence of a gas or a combination of two or more gases.
  • the gas or the combination of two or more gases is present in the gas space of the first chamber.
  • the gas space of the first chamber is understood to be the area of the first chamber which is not occupied by a solid or liquid phase.
  • gases are, for example, hydrogen, oxygen, inert gases and two or more thereof.
  • Preferred inert gases are nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton and xenon, more preferably nitrogen, helium and a combination thereof.
  • the heating is carried out in a reducing atmosphere. This may preferably be provided by hydrogen or a combination of hydrogen and helium.
  • the silica granules in the first chamber are heated in a stream of the gas or the combination of two or more gases.
  • the silica granules in the first chamber be heated at a reduced pressure, for example at a pressure of less than 500 mbar or less than 300 mbar, for example 200 mbar or less.
  • the first chamber is provided with at least one device with which the silica granules are moved.
  • the silica granules are moved.
  • all devices which are known to the person skilled in the art and appear suitable for this purpose can be selected.
  • suitable are stirring, shaking or swiveling devices.
  • the temperatures in the first and in the further chamber are different.
  • the temperature in the first chamber is lower than the temperature in the other chamber.
  • the temperature difference between the first and the further chamber in a range of 600 to 2400 ° C, for example in a range of 1000 to 2000 ° C or from 1200 to 1800 ° C, more preferably in a range of 1500 to 1700 ° C.
  • the temperature in the first chamber is 600 to 2400 ° C, for example 1000 to 2000 ° C or 1200 to 1800 ° C, more preferably 1500 to 1700 ° C lower than the temperature in the other chamber.
  • the first chamber of the furnace is a preheating section, particularly preferably a preheating section as described above, which has the features described above.
  • the preheating is connected by a passage with the other chamber.
  • silicon dioxide passes from the preheating section via an opening into the further chamber.
  • the passage between the preheating section and the further chamber may be closed, so that no gases introduced into the preheating section pass through the passage into the further chamber.
  • the passage between the preheating and the other chamber is closed, so that the silicon dioxide does not come into contact with water.
  • the first chamber of the furnace is not a preheating section.
  • the first chamber is a compensation chamber.
  • a compensation chamber is understood to mean a chamber of the furnace in which throughput variations in an upstream preheating section or throughput differences between a preheating section and the further chamber are compensated.
  • the first chamber may be preceded by a rotary kiln as described above. This usually has a throughput that can vary by up to 6% of the average throughput.
  • silica is maintained in a compensation chamber at the temperature with which it enters the compensation chamber.
  • the furnace has a first chamber and more than one further chamber, for example two further chambers or three further chambers or four further chambers or five further chambers or more than five further chambers, particularly preferably two further chambers.
  • the first chamber is preferably a preheating section
  • the first of the further chambers is a compensation chamber
  • the second of the further chambers is the melting chamber, based on the direction of material transport.
  • an additive is present in the first chamber.
  • the additive is preferably selected from the group consisting of halogens, inert gases, bases, oxygen or a combination of two or more thereof.
  • halogens in elemental form and halogen compounds are suitable as additives.
  • Preferred halogens are selected from the group consisting of chlorine, fluorine, chlorine-containing compounds and fluorine-containing compounds. Particularly preferred are elemental chlorine and hydrogen chloride.
  • inert gases are nitrogen, helium or a combination thereof.
  • bases are also suitable as additives.
  • Preferred bases as additives are inorganic and organic bases.
  • oxygen is preferably present as an oxygen-containing atmosphere, for example in combination with an inert gas or a mixture of two or more inert gases, particularly preferably in combination with nitrogen, helium or nitrogen and helium.
  • the first chamber may in principle include any material known to those skilled in the art and for heating
  • the first chamber preferably contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of quartz glass, a refractory metal, aluminum and a combination of two or more thereof, particularly preferably the first chamber contains quartz glass or aluminum.
  • the temperature in the first chamber does not exceed 600 ° C when the first chamber includes a polymer or aluminum.
  • the temperature in the first chamber is 100 to 1100 ° C when the first chamber includes quartz glass.
  • the first chamber preferably contains essentially quartz glass.
  • the silicon dioxide When transporting the silicon dioxide from the first chamber to the further chamber through the passage between the first and the further chamber, the silicon dioxide can in principle be in any state.
  • the silicon dioxide is preferably present as a solid, for example as particles, powders or granules. According to a preferred embodiment of the first subject of the invention, the transport of the silicon dioxide from the first to the further chamber takes place as granules.
  • the further chamber is a crucible of a sheet metal or a sintered material, which contains a sintered metal, wherein the sheet or the sintered metal is selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, tungsten and a combination thereof.
  • the glass melt is removed through the outlet from the oven, preferably via a nozzle.
  • a quartz glass body is formed from at least part of the molten glass.
  • at least part of the glass melt produced in step ii) is preferably removed and the quartz glass body formed therefrom.
  • the removal of part of the glass melt produced in step ii) can, in principle, be carried out continuously from the melting furnace or the melting chamber, or after completion of the production of the glass melt.
  • a part of the molten glass is removed continuously.
  • the molten glass is removed through the outlet from the furnace or the outlet of the melting chamber, preferably via a nozzle.
  • the molten glass may be cooled before, during or after removal to a temperature which allows the molten glass to be molded. With the cooling of the molten glass, an increase in the viscosity of the molten glass is connected.
  • the molten glass is preferably cooled to the extent that the formed form is retained during molding and molding can be carried out simultaneously as quickly as possible, reliably and with little effort.
  • the person skilled in the art can easily determine the viscosity of the molten glass for molding by varying the temperature of the molten glass on the mold.
  • When removing the molten glass preferably has a temperature in the range of 1750 to 2100 ° C, for example 1850 to 2050 ° C, particularly preferably 1900 to 2000 ° C.
  • the glass melt after removal to a temperature of less than 500 ° C, for example, less than 200 ° C or less than 100 ° C or less than 50 ° C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of 20 to 30 ° C cooled.
  • the formed quartz glass body may be a solid body or a hollow body.
  • a solid body is meant a body consisting essentially of a single material.
  • a solid body may have one or more inclusions, e.g. Gas bubbles. Such inclusions in a massive
  • Bodies are often 65 mm 3 or less in size, for example, less than 40 mm 3 , or less than 20 mm 3 , or less than 5 mm 3 'or less than 2 mm 3 , more preferably less than 0.5 mm 3 .
  • a solid body contains less than 0.02% by volume of its volume, for example, less than 0.01% by volume or less than 0.001% by volume of inclusions, each based on the total volume of the solid body.
  • the quartz glass body has an outer shape.
  • the outer shape is understood to be the shape of the outer edge of the cross section of the quartz glass body.
  • the outer shape of the quartz glass body is preferably round, elliptical or polygonal in cross-section with three or more corners, for example 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 corners, more preferably the quartz glass body is round.
  • the quartz glass body has a length in the range of 100 to 10,000 mm, for example from 1000 to 4000 mm, particularly preferably from 1200 to 3000 mm.
  • the quartz glass body has an outer diameter in the range of 1 to 500 mm, for example in a range of 2 to 400 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 5 to 300 mm.
  • the molding of the quartz glass body takes place by means of a nozzle.
  • the molten glass is passed through the nozzle.
  • the outer shape of a quartz glass body formed by the nozzle is determined by the shape of the opening of the nozzle.
  • a cylinder is formed as the quartz glass body is formed. If the opening of the nozzle has a structure, this structure is transferred to the outer shape of the quartz glass body.
  • a quartz glass body, which is formed by means of a nozzle with structures at the opening, has an image of the structures in the longitudinal direction on the glass strand.
  • the nozzle is integrated in the furnace. Preferably, it is integrated as part of the crucible in the furnace, more preferably as part of the outlet of the crucible.
  • the at least part of the molten glass is removed through the nozzle.
  • the outer shape of the quartz glass body is formed by removing at least a portion of the glass melt through the nozzle.
  • the quartz glass body is cooled after forming to obtain its shape.
  • the quartz glass body is cooled after molding to a temperature which is at least 1000 ° C below the temperature of the glass melt during molding, for example at least 1500 ° C or at least 1800 ° C, more preferably 1900 to 1950 ° C.
  • the quartz glass body is cooled to a temperature of less than 500 ° C, for example of less than 200 ° C or less than 100 ° C or less than 50 ° C, more preferably to a temperature in the range of 20 to 30 ° C.
  • the resulting quartz glass body may be treated with at least one measure selected from the group consisting of chemical, thermal or mechanical treatment.
  • the quartz glass body is chemically treated.
  • Post-treatment refers to the treatment of an already formed quartz glass body.
  • chemical aftertreatment of the quartz glass body is understood in principle any measure which is known to the person skilled in the art and appears to be suitable for changing the chemical structure or the composition of the surface of the quartz glass body or both by the use of substances.
  • the chemical aftertreatment comprises at least one measure selected from the group consisting of treatment with fluorine compounds and ultrasonic cleaning.
  • Particularly suitable fluorine compounds are hydrogen fluoride and fluorine-containing acids, for example hydrofluoric acid.
  • the liquid preferably has a content of fluorine compounds in a range of 35 to 55 wt .-%, preferably in a range of 35 to 45 wt .-%, the wt .-% in each case based on the total amount of liquid.
  • the remainder to 100% by weight is usually water.
  • demineralized or deionized water is selected as the water.
  • Ultrasonic cleaning is preferably carried out in a liquid bath, more preferably in the presence of detergents.
  • detergents usually no fluorine compounds, for example, neither hydrofluoric acid nor hydrogen fluoride, are used.
  • the ultrasonic cleaning of the quartz glass body is preferably carried out under at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four or at least five, more preferably all of the following conditions:
  • the ultrasonic cleaning takes place in a continuous process.
  • the ultrasonic cleaning system has six chambers connected to each other by pipes.
  • the residence time of the quartz glass bodies in each chamber can be adjusted.
  • the residence time of the quartz glass bodies in each chamber is the same.
  • the residence time in each chamber is in a range of 1 to 120 minutes, for example less than 5 minutes or 1 to 5 minutes or of
  • the first chamber comprises a basic medium, preferably containing water and a base, and an ultrasonic cleaner.
  • the third compartment comprises an acidic medium, preferably containing water and an acid, and a
  • the quartz glass body is cleaned with water, preferably demineralized water.
  • the fourth to sixth chamber is operated as a cascade with water, preferably desalted water.
  • the water is introduced only in the sixth chamber and runs from the sixth to the fifth and from the fifth to the fourth chamber.
  • the quartz glass body is thermally treated.
  • thermal aftertreatment of the quartz glass body is understood in principle any measure which is known to the person skilled in the art and appears suitable for changing the quartz glass body by the action of temperature in its shape or structure or both.
  • the thermal aftertreatment preferably comprises at least one measure selected from the group consisting of from annealing, upsetting, inflation, stripping, welding and a combination of two or more of them.
  • the thermal aftertreatment preferably takes place without the goal of material removal.
  • Annealing is preferably carried out by heating the quartz glass body in an oven, preferably to a temperature in a range from 900 to 1300 ° C., for example in a range from 900 to 1250 ° C. or from 1040 to 1300 ° C., more preferably in a range of 1000 to 1050 ° C or 1200 to 1300 ° C.
  • a temperature of 1300 ° C is not exceeded for a continuous period of more than 1 h, more preferably, a temperature of 1300 ° C is not exceeded during the entire thermal treatment time.
  • the tempering can in principle be carried out at reduced pressure, at normal pressure or at elevated pressure, preferably at reduced pressure, particularly preferably under reduced pressure.
  • the compression is preferably carried out by heating the quartz glass body, preferably to a temperature of about 2100 ° C, and then forming during a rotary rotary motion, preferably at a rotational speed of about 60 U / min.
  • a quartz glass body in the form of a rod can be reshaped by compression into a cylinder.
  • a quartz glass body can be inflated by blowing a gas into the quartz glass body.
  • a quartz glass body can be reshaped by blowing into a large pipe.
  • the quartz glass body is preferably heated to a temperature of about 2100 ° C., while a rotating rotational movement is carried out, preferably at a rotational speed of about 60 rpm, and the interior is flushed with a gas, preferably at a defined temperature and regulated internal pressure up to about 100 mbar.
  • a large pipe is understood to mean a pipe with an outer diameter of at least 500 mm.
  • a quartz glass body can preferably be pulled out.
  • the drawing is preferably carried out by heating the quartz glass body, preferably to a temperature of about 2100 ° C, and then drawing with a controlled drawing speed to the desired outer diameter of the quartz glass body.
  • lamp tubes can be formed by drawing out of quartz glass bodies.
  • the quartz glass body is mechanically aftertreated.
  • mechanical aftertreatment of the quartz glass body is understood in principle any measure which is known to the person skilled in the art and which appears suitable for changing the shape of the quartz glass body by an abrasive measure or for dividing the quartz glass body into several pieces.
  • the mechanical aftertreatment includes at least one measure selected from the group consisting of grinding, drilling, honing, sawing, water jet cutting, laser beam cutting, thawing by sand blasting, milling and a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the quartz glass body with a combination of these measures for example with a combination of a chemical and a thermal aftertreatment or a chemical and a mechanical aftertreatment or a thermal and a mechanical aftertreatment, particularly preferably with a combination of a chemical, a thermal and a treated mechanical post-treatment.
  • the quartz glass body can each be subjected, independently of one another, to a plurality of the aforementioned measures.
  • the method includes the following method step:
  • the formed hollow body has an inner and an outer shape.
  • Inner form is understood to mean the shape of the inner edge of the hollow body in cross section.
  • the inner and outer shape of the cross section of the hollow body may be the same or different.
  • the inner and outer shapes of the hollow body may be round, elliptical or polygonal in cross-section with three or more corners, for example 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 corners.
  • the outer shape of the cross section corresponds to the inner shape of the cross section of the hollow body.
  • the hollow body in cross section has a round inner and a round outer shape.
  • the hollow body may differ in the inner and outer shape.
  • the hollow body has a round outer shape and a polygonal inner shape in cross-section.
  • the hollow body has a round outer shape and a hexagonal inner shape in cross section.
  • the hollow body has a length in the range of 100 to 10,000 mm, for example from 1000 to 4000 mm, more preferably from 1200 to 2000 mm.
  • the hollow body has a wall thickness in a range of 0.8 to 50 mm, for example in a range of 1 to 40 mm or from 2 to 30 mm or from 3 to 20 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 4 to 10 mm ,
  • the hollow body has an outer diameter of 2.6 to 400 mm, for example in a range of 3.5 to 450 mm, more preferably in a range of 5 to 300 mm.
  • the hollow body preferably has an inner diameter of 1 to 300 mm, for example in a range of 5 to 280 mm or of 10 to 200 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 20 to 100 mm.
  • the hollow body contains one or more openings.
  • the hollow body includes an opening.
  • the hollow body preferably contains an even number of openings, for example 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 openings.
  • the hollow body contains two openings.
  • the hollow body is a tube. This shape of the hollow body is particularly preferred when the optical fiber includes only one core.
  • the hollow body may contain more than two openings.
  • the openings are preferably in pairs opposite each other in the ends of the quartz glass body. For example, each end of the quartz glass body has 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more than 7 openings, more preferably 5, 6 or 7 openings.
  • Preferred shapes are, for example, tubes, twin tubes, ie tubes with two parallel channels, multi-channel bars, ie tubes with more than two parallel channels.
  • the hollow body can in principle be formed in any way known to those skilled in the art.
  • the hollow body is formed by means of a nozzle.
  • the nozzle in the center of its opening contains a device which dissipates the molten glass during molding.
  • a hollow body can be formed from a molten glass.
  • the formation of a hollow body can be done by using a nozzle and subsequent aftertreatment.
  • all processes known to the person skilled in the art for producing a hollow body from a solid body for example the swaging of channels, drilling, honing or grinding, are suitable as aftertreatment.
  • the solid body As a post-treatment, it is preferable to guide the solid body over one or more spikes, whereby a hollow body is formed.
  • the mandrel can be introduced into the solid body to form a hollow body.
  • the hollow body is cooled after forming.
  • the hollow body is after forming at a temperature of less than 500 ° C, for example less than 200 ° C or less than 100 ° C or less than 50 ° C, more preferably at a temperature in the range of 20 to 30 ° C cooled.
  • step i) it is in principle possible to subject the silicon dioxide granules provided in step i) to one or more pretreatment steps before it is heated in step ii) until a glass melt is obtained.
  • pretreatment steps for example, thermal or mechanical treatment steps into consideration.
  • the silica granules are compacted before heating in step ii.).
  • reaction is meant a reduction in BET surface area and a reduction in pore volume.
  • the silica granules are preferably densified thermally by heating the silica granules or mechanically by applying a pressure to the silica granules, for example rolling or pressing the silica granules.
  • the silica granules are compacted by heating.
  • the compacting of the silicon dioxide granules is carried out by heating by means of a preheating section connected to the melting furnace.
  • the silica is densified by heating at a temperature in a range of 800 to 1400 ° C, for example, at a temperature in a range of 850 to 1300 ° C, particularly preferably at a temperature in a range of 900 to 1200 ° C.
  • the BET surface area of the silica granule prior to heating in step ii.) Is not reduced to less than 5 m 2 / g, preferably not less than 7 m 2 / g or not less than 10 m 2 / g, more preferably not less than 15 m 2 / g. It is further preferred that the BET surface area of the silica granules prior to heating in step ii.) Is not reduced over the silica granules provided in step i.).
  • the BET surface area of the silica granule is reduced to less than 20 m 2 / g, for example to less than 15 m 2 / g, or to less than 10 m 2 / g, or to a range of greater than 5 to less than 20 m 2 / g or from 7 to 15 m 2 / g, especially preferably to a range of 9 to 12 m 2 / g.
  • the BET surface area of the silica granules is reduced by less than 40 m 2 / g, for example by 1 to 20 m 2 / g or by 2 to 10, prior to heating in step ii.) Over the silica granules provided in step i.) m 2 / g, more preferably around 3 to 8 m 2 / g, wherein the BET surface area after compaction is more than 5 m 2 / g.
  • the compacted silica granules are referred to below as silica granules III.
  • the silicon dioxide granules III preferably have at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following characteristics:
  • a particle size D 10 in a range of 100 to 300 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 120 to 200 ⁇ ;
  • E a bulk density in a range of 0.8 to 1.6 g / cm 3 , more preferably from 1.0 to 1.4 g / cm 3 ;
  • G an amount of carbon of less than 5 ppm, for example less than 4.5 ppm, more preferably less than 4 ppm;
  • ppm and ppb are each based on the total weight of the silica granules III.
  • the silica granule III preferably has the feature combination A./F./G. or A./F./H. or A./G./H. on, particularly preferably the combination of features A./F./G./H.
  • the silica granule III preferably has the feature combination A./F./G. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the tamped density is in a range of 1.15 to 1.35 g / mL, and the carbon content is less than 4 ppm.
  • the silica granules III preferably has the combination of features A./F./H. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the tapped density is in a range of 1.15 to 1.35 g / ml, and the chlorine content is in a range of 1 ppb to 200 ppm.
  • the silica granules III preferably has the feature combination A./G./H. wherein the BET surface area is in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the carbon content is less than 4 ppm, and the chlorine content is in a range of 1 ppb to 200 ppm.
  • the silica granules III preferably has the feature combination A./F./G./H. with the BET surface area in a range of 10 to 30 m 2 / g, the tamped density in a range of 1.15 to 1.35 g / ml the carbon content is less than 4 ppm and the chlorine content ranges from 1 ppb to 200 ppm.
  • a silicon component other than silicon dioxide is added.
  • the addition of a silicon component other than silicon dioxide is also referred to below as Si doping.
  • the Si doping can be carried out in any method step.
  • the Si doping is preferably carried out in step i) or in step ii).
  • the silicon component other than silicon dioxide can in principle be added in any desired form, for example as a solid, as a liquid, as a gas, in solution or as a dispersion.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component is added as a powder.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component is added as a liquid or as a gas.
  • the silicon dioxide-non-silicon component is preferably added in an amount within a range of 1 to 100,000 ppm, for example, in a range of 10 to 10,000 ppm or 30 to 1,000 ppm or in a range of 50 to 500 ppm, more preferably in one Range of 80 to 200 ppm, more preferably in a range of 200 to 300 ppm, each based on the total weight of silica.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component may be solid, liquid or gaseous. If it is solid, it preferably has an average particle size of up to 10 mm, for example of up to 1000 ⁇ of up to 400 ⁇ or in a range of 1 to 400 ⁇ , for example 2 to 200 ⁇ or 3 to 100 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 5 to 50 ⁇ .
  • the particle size data are based on the state of the non-silicon dioxide silicon component at room temperature.
  • the silicon component preferably has a purity of at least 99.5 wt .-%, for example of at least 99.8 wt .-% or of at least 99.9 wt .-%, or of at least 99.99 wt .-%, more preferably of at least 99.999 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the silicon component.
  • the silicon component has an amount of carbon of not more than 10 ppm, for example not more than 50 ppm, more preferably not more than 1 ppm, each based on the total weight of the silicon component. This is particularly preferred for silicon used as a silicon component.
  • the silicon component has an amount of impurities selected from the group consisting of Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ge, Hf, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, Ti, V, W, Zn, Zr of not more than 250 ppm, for example not more than 150 ppm, more preferably not more than 100 ppm, in each case based on the total weight of the silicon component. This is particularly preferred for silicon used as a silicon component.
  • a silicon component other than silicon dioxide is preferably added.
  • the silica component other than silicon dioxide is added to a silica granule during processing of the silica powder (step II).
  • the silicon dioxide oxide various silicon component before, during or after granulation are added to the silica.
  • the silica may be Si-doped by adding the silicon dioxide-disparate silicon component to the slurry including silica powder.
  • the silicon dioxide-dissimilar silicon component is mixed with silica powder and then slurried in a liquid, or the silicon dioxide-non-silicon component is added to a slurry of silica powder in a liquid and slurried, or the silica powder becomes a slurry or solution of Silicon dioxide various silicon component in a liquid and slurried.
  • the silicon dioxide can be Si-doped by adding the silicon dioxide-different silicon component during granulation. It is in principle possible to add the silicon dioxide-different silicon component at any time during granulation.
  • the silica component other than silica may be sprayed through the nozzle together with the slurry into the spray tower.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component may preferably be added in solid form or as a slurry, for example, after the slurry is introduced into the stirred tank. More preferably, the silica may be Si-doped by adding the silicon dioxide-disparate silicon component after granulation.
  • the silica in the treatment of the silica granules I, may be doped to the silica granules II, preferably by adding the non-silica silicon component during the thermal or mechanical treatment of the silica granules I.
  • the silica granule II is doped with the silicon dioxide-different silicon component.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component can also be added during several of the aforementioned sections, in particular during and after the thermal or mechanical treatment of the silicon dioxide granules I to the silicon dioxide granules II.
  • the silicon component which is different from silicon dioxide, may in principle be silicon or any compound containing silicon which is known and has a reducing effect on the person skilled in the art.
  • the silicon component other than silicon dioxide is preferably silicon, a silicon-hydrogen compound, for example a silane, a silicon-oxygen compound, for example silicon monoxide, or a silicon-hydrogen-oxygen compound, for example disiloxane.
  • a silicon-hydrogen compound for example a silane
  • a silicon-oxygen compound for example silicon monoxide
  • silicon-hydrogen-oxygen compound for example disiloxane.
  • Examples of preferred silanes are monosilane, disilane, trisilane, tetrasilane pentasilane, hexasilane heptasilane, higher homologs and isomers of the aforementioned, as well as cyclic silanes such as cyclopentasilane.
  • a silicon component other than silicon dioxide is preferably added.
  • the silicon dioxide-different silicon component may be added directly to the crucible together with the silica granules.
  • silicon may be added to the crucible as the non-silica silicon component together with the silica granules.
  • the silicon is preferably added as a powder, in particular in the particle size already mentioned for the silicon dioxide-different silicon component.
  • the silica component other than silicon dioxide is added to the silica granules prior to introduction into the crucible.
  • the addition can in principle be carried out at any time after the formation of the granules, for example in the preheating section, before or during the precompression of the silicon dioxide granules II or to the silicon dioxide granules III.
  • Si-doped granules A silica granule obtained by adding a silicon component other than silicon dioxide will be referred to as "Si-doped granules.”
  • the Si-doped granules have at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following Features on:
  • [I] has a BET surface area in a range of more than 5 to less than 40 m 2 / g, for example, 10 to 30 m 2 / g, particularly preferably in a range of 15 to 25 m 2 / g;
  • a particle size D 10 in a range of 100 to 300 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 120 to 200 ⁇ ;
  • a particle size D 90 in a range of 300 to 650 ⁇ , more preferably in a range of 400 to 500 ⁇ ;
  • an amount of carbon of less than 5 ppm, for example less than 4.5 ppm, more preferably less than 4 ppm;
  • [I I] has a residual moisture content of less than 3% by weight, for example in a range from 0.001% by weight to 2% by weight, particularly preferably from 0.01 to 1% by weight;
  • wt .-%, ppm and ppb are each based on the total weight of the Si-doped granules.
  • the melting energy is transferred to the silica granules via a solid surface.
  • a solid surface is understood to mean a surface which is different from the surface of the silica granules and which does not melt or decompose at temperatures to which the silica granules are heated to melt.
  • Suitable materials of the solid surface are, for example, the materials suitable as crucible materials.
  • the solid surface may, in principle, be any surface known to those skilled in the art and suitable for these purposes.
  • the crucible or a separate component other than the crucible may be used.
  • the solid surface may, in principle, be heated in any way known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for this purpose in order to transfer the melting energy to the silicon dioxide granules.
  • the solid surface is heated by resistive heating or induction heating. In inductive heating, the energy is coupled directly by coils in the solid surface and discharged from there to the inside. With resistive heating, the solid surface is heated from the outside and releases the energy from there to the inside.
  • a heating chamber gas with a lower heat capacity for example an argon atmosphere or an argon-containing atmosphere
  • the solid surface may be heated electrically or by firing the solid surface with a flame from the outside.
  • the solid surface is heated to a temperature that can transmit an amount of energy sufficient to melt the silica granules to the silica granules and / or partially melted silica granules.
  • the energy input into the sintered crucible is not effected by heating the sinter crucible, or a melt therein, or both, by means of a flame, such as a burner flame directed into the sinter crucible or sinter crucible.
  • a separate component is used as a solid surface, it can be brought into contact with the silicon dioxide granules in any manner, for example by placing the component on the silica granules or by introducing the component between the granules of the silicon dioxide granules or by sliding the component between crucibles and silica granules or by a combination of two or more thereof.
  • the component may be heated before or during or before and during the transfer of the melting energy.
  • the melting energy is transferred via the crucible inside to the silica granules.
  • the crucible is heated to the point where the silica granulate melts.
  • the crucible is preferably heated resistively or inductively. The heat is transferred from the outside to the inside of the crucible.
  • the solid surface of the inner crucible transmits the melting energy to the silica granules.
  • the melting energy is not transferred to the silica granules via a gas space on the silica granules. More preferably, the melting energy is not imparted to the silica granules by firing the silica granules transmitted with a flame. Examples of these excluded energy transmission paths are directing one or more burner flames from the top into the crucible, or onto the silica, or both.
  • the above-described method according to the first aspect of the invention relates to the production of a quartz glass body.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has at least one of the following features, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, particularly preferably at least five of the following features:
  • C] has an aluminum content of less than 200 ppb, for example less than 100 ppb, more preferably less than 80 ppb;
  • 3-10 15 / cm 3 more preferably in a range of 0.5-101 1 5 J to 2.0-101 1 5 J / cm 3 J ;
  • a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1 ppm, for example less than 0.5 ppm, more preferably less than 0.1 ppm;
  • G a standard deviation of the OH content of not more than 10%, preferably not more than 5%, based on the OH content A] of the quartz glass body;
  • L has a tungsten content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb;
  • M] has a molybdenum content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb,
  • ppb and ppm are each based on the total weight of the quartz glass body.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb, particularly preferably less than 100 ppb, in each case based on the total weight of the quartz glass body. Often, however, the quartz glass body has a content of metals other than aluminum in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • metals are For example, sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, germanium, copper, molybdenum, titanium, iron and chromium. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex.
  • the quartz glass body may include other ingredients.
  • the quartz glass body contains less than 500 ppm, for example less than 450 ppm, more preferably less than 400 ppm of further constituents, the ppm being in each case based on the total weight of the quartz glass body.
  • Other constituents which may be considered are, for example, carbon, fluorine, iodine, bromine and phosphorus. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex. Often, however, the quartz glass body has a content of other constituents in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • the quartz glass body contains carbon in an amount of less than 5 ppm, for example less than 4.5 ppm, more preferably less than 4 ppm, each based on the total weight of the quartz glass body. Often, however, the quartz glass body has a content of carbon in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has a homogeneously distributed OH amount, Cl amount or Al amount.
  • An indicator of the homogeneity of the quartz glass body can be expressed in the standard deviation of OH amount, Cl amount or AI amount.
  • the standard deviation is the measure of the spread of the values of a variable, here the OH quantity, amount of chlorine or amount of aluminum, by their arithmetic mean.
  • the content of the component to be determined in the sample e.g. OH, chlorine or aluminum, determined at at least seven measuring points.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has the combination of features A] / B] / C] or A] / B] / D] or A] / B] / F], more preferably the combination of features A] / B] / C] / D ] or A] / B] / C] / F] or A] / B] / D] / F], particularly preferably the combination of features A] / B] / C] / D] / F].
  • the quartz glass body preferably has the combination of features A] / B] / C], wherein the OH content is less than 400 ppm, the chlorine content less than 100 ppm and the aluminum content less than 80 ppb.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has the combination of features A] / B] / D], the OH content is less than 400 ppm, the chlorine content is less than 100 ppm and the ODC content is in a range of 0.1 -10 15 to 3 -10 15 / cm 3 lies.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has the combination of features A] / B] / C] / D], the OH content being less than 400 ppm, the chlorine content being less than 100 ppm, the aluminum content being less than 80 ppb and the
  • ODC content is in a range of 0, M0 15 to 3-10 15 / cm 3 .
  • a second object of the present invention is a quartz glass body obtainable by the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the quartz glass body preferably has at least one of the following features, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, particularly preferably at least five of the following features:
  • C] has an aluminum content of less than 200 ppb, for example less than 100 ppb, more preferably less than 80 ppb;
  • 3-10 15 / cm 3 more preferably in a range of 0.5-101 1 5 J to 2.0-101 1 5 J / cm 3 J ;
  • a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1 ppm, for example less than 0.5 ppm, more preferably less than 0.1 ppm;
  • G a standard deviation of the OH content of not more than 10%, preferably not more than 5%, based on the OH content A] of the quartz glass body;
  • L has a tungsten content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb;
  • M] has a molybdenum content of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb or less than 300 ppb or less than 100 ppb or in a range of from 1 to 500 ppb or from 1 to 300 ppb, more preferably in one range from 1 to 100 ppb,
  • a third object of the present invention is a method for producing a light guide comprising the following steps:
  • A2I a quartz glass body according to the second subject of the invention, wherein the quartz glass body is first processed into a hollow body having at least one opening; B / introducing one or more core rods into the quartz glass body through the at least one opening to obtain a precursor;
  • step B Pull the precursor from step B / in the heat to obtain a light guide with one or more cores and a cladding M 1.
  • the quartz glass body provided in step AI is a hollow body having at least one opening.
  • the quartz glass body provided in step AI is preferably characterized by the features according to the second aspect of the invention.
  • the quartz glass body provided in step AI is preferably obtainable by a method according to the first subject of the invention as step iv.) Forming a hollow body having at least one opening of the quartz glass body.
  • the quartz glass body obtainable in this way has the features according to the second subject of the invention. Steps/
  • One or more core rods are introduced through the at least one opening of the quartz glass body (step B /).
  • a core rod in the context of the present invention, an object is referred to, which is intended to be in a shell, for example, a shell Ml, introduced and processed into a light guide.
  • the core rod has a core of quartz glass.
  • the core rod includes a core of quartz glass and a first cladding layer MO surrounding the core.
  • Each core rod has a shape chosen to fit within the quartz glass body.
  • the outer shape of a core rod is in the form of an opening of the quartz glass body.
  • the quartz glass body is a tube and the core rod is a rod with a round cross section.
  • the diameter of the core rod is less than the inner diameter of the hollow body.
  • the diameter of the core rod is 0.1 to 3 mm smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow body, for example 0.3 to 2.5 mm smaller or 0.5 to 2 mm smaller or 0.7 to 1.5 mm smaller, especially preferably 0.8 to 1.2 mm smaller.
  • the ratio of the inside diameter of the quartz glass body to the diameter of the core rod is in the range of 2: 1 to 1,0001: 1, for example in the range of 1.8: 1 to 1.01: 1 or in the range of 1.6: 1 to 1.005: 1 or in the range of 1.4: 1 to 1.01: 1, more preferably in the range of 1.2: 1 to 1.05: 1.
  • a region within the quartz glass body which is not penetrated by the core rod is filled with at least one other component, for example, a silica powder or a silica granules.
  • a core rod already located in at least one further quartz glass body is introduced into a quartz glass body.
  • the further quartz glass body has an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the quartz glass body.
  • the core rod introduced into the quartz glass body can also already be located in two or more further quartz glass bodies, for example in 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or more further quartz glass bodies. A thus obtainable with one or more core rods provided quartz glass body is hereinafter referred to as "precursor".
  • the precursor is pulled hot (step Cl).
  • the product thus obtained is a light guide with one or more cores and at least one shell Ml.
  • the drawing of the quartz glass body takes place at a speed in the range of 5 to 25 m / h.
  • the drawing is performed in the heat at a temperature of up to 2500 ° C, for example, at a temperature in the range of 1700 to 2400 ° C, more preferably at a temperature in the range of 2100 to 2300 ° C.
  • the precursor is passed through an oven which heats the precursor from outside.
  • the precursor is extended until the desired thickness of the optical fiber is achieved.
  • the precursor is elongated to 1,000 to 6,000,000 times the length, for example 10,000 to 500,000 times the length or 30,000 to 200,000 times the length, each based on the length of the quartz glass body provided in step AI. More preferably, the precursor is elongated to 100,000 to 10,000,000 times the length, for example, 150,000 to 5,800,000 times or 160,000 to 640,000 times or to the 1,440,000 to 5,760,000 times the length or to the 1,440,000 to 2,560,000 times the length, in each case based on the length of the provided in step AI quartz glass body.
  • the diameter of the precursor is reduced by elongation by a factor in a range of 100 to 3,500, for example, in a range of 300 to 3,000 or 400 to 800, or 1,200 to 2,400, or 1,200 to 1,600 in diameter of the quartz glass body provided in step AI.
  • the light guide also referred to as an optical waveguide, may include any material which is suitable for conducting or guiding electromagnetic radiation, in particular light.
  • the optical waveguide conducts electromagnetic radiation in a wavelength range from 170 to 5000 nm.
  • the attenuation of the radiation through the optical waveguide in the respective wavelength range is preferably in a range of 0.1 to 10 dB / km.
  • the optical fiber has a transmission rate of up to 50 Tbit / s.
  • the light guide preferably has a curl parameter of more than 6 m.
  • the curl parameter according to the invention the bending radius of a fiber, e.g. a light guide or a sheath Ml, understood that adjusts itself to a freely movable fiber without external force.
  • the light guide is preferably configured bendable.
  • Flexible in the sense of the invention means that the light guide is characterized by a bending radius of 20 mm or less, for example of 10 mm or less, particularly preferably less than 5 mm or less.
  • a bend radius is meant the narrowest radius that can be formed without causing breakage of the light guide and directing radiation without affecting the ability of the light guide.
  • An impairment is present at an attenuation of the transmitted light by a bend of the light guide by more than 0.1 dB.
  • the attenuation is preferably given at a reference wavelength of 1550 nm.
  • the quartz preferably consists of silicon dioxide with less than 1% by weight of other substances, for example less than 0.5% by weight of other substances, more preferably less than 0.3% by weight of other substances, based in each case on the total weight of the quartz. More preferably, the quartz contains at least 99% by weight of silica, based on the total weight of the quartz.
  • the light guide preferably has an elongated shape.
  • the light guide is defined in its shape by its longitudinal extent L and its cross-section Q.
  • the light guide preferably has a round outer wall along its longitudinal extent L.
  • a cross-section Q of the light guide is always determined in a plane which is perpendicular to the outer wall of the light guide. If the optical waveguide is curved in the longitudinal extent L, the cross section Q is determined perpendicular to the tangent at a point on the optical waveguide outer wall.
  • the Lichtlei - ter preferably has a diameter CIL in a range of 0.04 to 1.5 mm.
  • the light guide preferably has a length in a range of 1 m to 100 km.
  • the optical fiber includes one or more cores, for example one or two cores or three cores or four cores or five cores or six cores or seven cores or more than seven cores, more preferably a core.
  • more than 90%, for example more than 95%, more preferably more than 98%, of the electromagnetic radiation conducted through the optical fiber is guided in the cores.
  • the material of the cores is preferably selected from the group consisting of glass or quartz glass, or a combination of the two, particularly preferably quartz glass.
  • the cores can be made of the same material or different materials independently of each other. Preferably, all cores made of the same material, more preferably made of quartz glass.
  • Each core has a, preferably round, cross-section Q K and has an elongated shape with the length L K.
  • the cross section Q K of a core is independent of the cross section Q K of each other core.
  • the cross sections Q K of the cores may be the same or different.
  • the cross sections QK of all cores are the same.
  • a cross section Q K of a core is always determined in a plane that is perpendicular to the outer wall of the core or the optical fiber outer wall. If a core is curved in the longitudinal extent, the cross-section Q K is determined perpendicular to the tangent at a point on the outer wall of this core.
  • the length L K of a core is independent of the length L K of each additional core.
  • the lengths L K of the cores may be the same or different.
  • the lengths L K of all cores are the same.
  • Each core preferably has a length L K in a range of 1 m to 100 km.
  • Each core has a diameter d.
  • the diameter d of a core is independent of the diameter d K of each other core.
  • the diameters d K of the cores may be the same or different.
  • the diameters d K of all cores are the same.
  • the diameter d K of each core in a range of 0.1 to 1000 ⁇ , for example from 0.2 to 100 ⁇ or from 0.5 to 50 ⁇ , more preferably from 1 to 30 ⁇ on.
  • Each core has at least one refractive index profile perpendicular to the maximum core extent.
  • “Refractive index progression means that the refractive index is constant or changes perpendicular to the maximum core extent.
  • the preferred refractive index profile corresponds to a concentric refractive index profile, for example a concentric refractive index profile, in which a first region with the maximum refractive index is in the center of the core, followed by another region with a lower refractive index.
  • each core has only one refractive index profile over its length L K.
  • the refractive index profile of a core is independent of the refractive index profile of each additional core.
  • the refractive index profiles of the cores may be the same or different.
  • the refractive index profiles of all cores are the same. It is also possible in principle for a core to have a multiplicity of different refractive index profiles.
  • Each refractive index profile perpendicular to the maximum core expansion has a maximum refractive index n K.
  • Each refractive index profile perpendicular to the maximum core extent can also lower further
  • the lowest refractive index of the refractive index profile is preferably not around more than 0.5 less than the maximum refractive index n K of the refractive index profile.
  • the lowest refractive index of the refractive index profile is preferably around 0.0001 to 0.15, for example around 0.0002 to 0.1, particularly preferably around 0.0003 to 0.05, less than the maximum refractive index n K of the refractive index profile.
  • n K refractive index
  • the refractive index n K of a core is independent of the refractive index n K of each other core.
  • the refractive indices n K of the cores may be the same or different.
  • the refractive indices n K of all cores are the same.
  • each core of the optical fiber has a density in a range of 1.9 to 2.5 g / cm 3 , for example in a range of 2.0 to 2.4 g / cm 3 , particularly preferably in a range of 2, 1 to 2.3 g / cm 3 .
  • the cores preferably have a residual moisture content of less than 100 ppb, for example less than 20 ppb or less than 5 ppb, particularly preferably less than 1 ppb, in each case based on the total weight of the core.
  • the density of a nucleus is independent of the density of each additional nucleus.
  • the densities of the cores can be the same or different. Preferably, the densities of all cores are the same.
  • At least the sheath Ml is made of silicon dioxide and has at least one, preferably several or all of the following features:
  • 3-10 15 / cm 3 more preferably in a range of 0.5-101 1 5 J to 2.0-10 1 1 5 J / cm 3 J ;
  • h) a standard deviation of the OH content of not more than 10%, preferably not more than 5%, based on the OH content a) of the shell Ml;
  • a transformation point Tg in a range from 1150 to 1250 ° C, particularly preferably in a range from 1180 to 1220 ° C,
  • ppb and ppm are each based on the total weight of the shell Ml.
  • the sheath has a refractive index homogeneity of less than 1-10 "4.
  • the refractive index homogeneity is the maximum deviation of the refractive index at each point of a sample, for example a sheath Ml or a quartz glass body, relative to the average of all the refractive indices determined at the sample.
  • the refractive index is determined at at least seven measuring points.
  • the shell Ml preferably has a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1000 ppb, for example less than 500 ppb, particularly preferably less than 100 ppb, in each case based on the total weight of the shell Ml. Often, however, the shell M1 has a content of metals other than aluminum in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • metals include sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, germanium, copper, molybdenum, titanium, iron and chromium. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex.
  • the shell Ml may include other ingredients.
  • the shell M1 contains less than 500 ppm, for example less than 450 ppm, more preferably less than 400 ppm of further constituents, the ppm being in each case based on the total weight of the shell M1.
  • Other constituents which may be considered are, for example, carbon, fluorine, iodine, bromine and phosphorus. These may be present, for example, as an element, as an ion, or as part of a molecule or an ion or a complex. Often, however, the shell M1 has a content of further constituents in an amount of at least 1 ppb.
  • the shell M1 preferably contains carbon at less than 5 ppm, for example less than 4 ppm or less than 3 ppm, more preferably less than 2 ppm, based in each case on the total weight of the shell M1. Often, however, the shell M1 has a content of carbon in an amount of at least 1 ppb. Preferably, the shell Ml has a homogeneously distributed OH amount, Cl amount or Al amount.
  • the shell Ml has a weight fraction of at least 80 wt .-%. for example, at least 85 wt .-%, particularly preferably at least 90 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the shell Ml and the cores on.
  • the shell Ml has a weight fraction of at least 80 wt .-%. for example, at least 85 wt .-%, particularly preferably at least 90 wt .-%, each based on the total weight of the shell Ml, the cores and lying between the shell Ml and the cores other shells, on.
  • the shell Ml has a weight fraction of at least 80 wt .-%.
  • the shell Ml has a density in a range of 2.1 to 2.3 g / cm 3 , more preferably in a range of 2.18 to 2.22 g / cm 3 .
  • Another aspect relates to a light guide obtainable by a method including the following steps:
  • A2I a quartz glass body according to the second subject of the invention, wherein the quartz glass body is first processed into a hollow body having at least one opening; B / introducing one or more core rods into the quartz glass body through the at least one opening to obtain a precursor;
  • step B Pulling the precursor from step B / in the heat to obtain a light guide with one or more cores and a shell Ml.
  • the steps AI, Bl and Cl are preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the third subject.
  • the light guide is preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the third article.
  • a fourth subject of the present invention relates to a method for producing a luminous means, comprising the following steps:
  • a hollow body is provided.
  • the hollow body provided in step (i) includes at least one opening, for example one opening or two openings or three openings or four openings, particularly preferably one opening or two openings.
  • a hollow body having at least one opening obtainable by a method according to the first subject of the invention including step iv.), Is provided (step (II)).
  • the hollow body has the features described in the context of the first or second object of the invention.
  • a hollow body is provided which is obtainable from a quartz glass body according to the second subject of the invention (step (i-2)). For processing a quartz glass body according to the second subject of the invention to form a hollow body, several possibilities come into consideration.
  • a hollow body having two openings can be formed analogously to step iv.) Of the first article of the invention from a quartz glass body.
  • the processing of the quartz glass body into a hollow body with an opening can in principle be effected by means of all methods known to the person skilled in the art and suitable for the production of hollow glass bodies with an opening. For example, methods including pressing, blowing, suction or combinations thereof are suitable. It is also possible to form a hollow body having an opening from a hollow body with two openings by closing an opening, for example by melting together.
  • the resulting hollow body preferably has the features described in the context of the first and second objects of the invention.
  • the hollow body is made of a material containing silicon dioxide, preferably in an amount in a range of 98 to 100 wt .-%, for example in a range of 99.9 to 100 wt .-%, particularly preferably 100 wt .-% , in each case based on the total weight of the hollow body.
  • the material from which the hollow body is made preferably has at least one, preferably several, for example two, or preferably all of the following features:
  • a silicon dioxide content of preferably more than 95% by weight, for example more than
  • HC2. a density in a range of 2.1 to 2.3 g / cm 3 , more preferably in a range of 2.18 to 2.22 g / cm 3 ;
  • a light transmittance at least one wavelength in the visible range of 350 to 750 nm in a range of 10 to 100%, for example in a range of 30 to 99.99%, more preferably in a range of 50 to 99.9%, based on the amount of light generated within the hollow body;
  • HK4 an OH content of less than 500 ppm, for example less than 400 ppm, more preferably less than 300 ppm;
  • HK5. a chlorine content of less than 200 ppm, preferably less than 100 ppm, for example less than 80 ppm, more preferably less than 60 ppm;
  • HK6 an aluminum content of less than 200 ppb, for example less than 100 ppb, more preferably less than 80 ppb;
  • HK7 a carbon content of less than 5 ppm, for example less than 4.5 ppm, more preferably less than 4 ppm;
  • HK8 an ODC content of less than 5-10 15 / cm 3 ; HK9. a metal content of metals other than aluminum of less than 1 ppm, for example less than 0.5 ppm, more preferably less than 0.1 ppm;
  • HK11 HK11. a transformation point Tg in a range of 1150 to 1250 ° C, more preferably in a range of 1180 to 1220 ° C;
  • the hollow body from step (i) is filled with a gas, preferably with two electrodes, before it is filled with a gas.
  • the electrodes are connected to an electrical power supply.
  • the electrodes are connected to a lamp base.
  • the material of the electrodes is preferably selected from the group of metals. In principle, any metal can be selected as the electrode material that is not oxidized, corroded, molten or otherwise impaired as an electrode in its shape or conductivity during the operating conditions of the luminous means.
  • the electrode material is preferably selected from the group consisting of iron, molybdenum, copper, tungsten, rhenium, gold and platinum or at least two thereof selected, with tungsten, molybdenum or rhenium are preferred.
  • the hollow body provided in step (i) and optionally equipped with electrodes in step (ii) is filled with a gas.
  • the filling can be carried out in any manner known to those skilled in the art and suitable for filling.
  • a gas is passed through the at least one opening in the hollow body.
  • the hollow body is evacuated prior to filling with a gas, preferably to a pressure of less than 2 mbar.
  • a gas preferably to a pressure of less than 2 mbar.
  • the hollow body is filled with the gas.
  • These steps can be repeated to minimize contamination with air, especially with oxygen.
  • these steps are repeated at least twice, for example at least three times or at least four times, more preferably at least five times until the amount of impurities with other gases such as air, in particular oxygen, is sufficiently low. This procedure is particularly preferred for filling hollow bodies with an opening.
  • the hollow body is preferably filled through one of the openings.
  • the air located in the hollow body before filling with the gas can escape through the at least one further opening.
  • the gas is passed through the hollow body until the amount of impurities with other gases such as air, in particular oxygen, is sufficiently low.
  • the hollow body is filled with an inert gas or a combination of two or more inert gases, for example with nitrogen, helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon or a combination of two or more thereof, more preferably with krypton, xenon or a combination of Nitrogen and argon.
  • Further preferred fillers for hollow bodies of lamps are deuterium and mercury.
  • the hollow body is closed after filling with a gas, so that the gas does not escape during further processing, so that in the further processing no air from the outside, or both.
  • the closing can be done by melting or attaching a closure.
  • Suitable closures are, for example, quartz glass closures, which are for example melted out onto the hollow body, or lamp sockets.
  • the hollow body is closed by melting.
  • the lighting means according to the fourth aspect of the invention includes a hollow body and optionally electrodes.
  • the illuminant preferably has at least one, for example at least two or at least three or at least four, more preferably at least five of the following features:
  • a volume in a range of 0.1 cm 3 to 10 m 3 for example in a range of 0.3 cm 3 to 8 m 3 , particularly preferably in a range of 0.5 cm 3 to 5 m 3 ;
  • a radiation angle in a range of 2 to 360 ° for example in a range of 10 to 360 °, particularly preferably in a range of 30 to 360 °;
  • a radiation of light in a wavelength range of 145 to 4000 nm, for example in a range of 150 to 450 nm, or of 800 to 4000 nm, particularly preferably in a range of 160 to 280 nm;
  • v. a power in a range of 1 mW to 100 kW, more preferably in a range of 1 kW to 100 kW, or in a range of 1 to 100 watts.
  • Another aspect relates to a lighting device obtainable by a method comprising the following steps:
  • steps (i), (ii) and (iii) are preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the fourth subject.
  • the lighting means is preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the fourth subject.
  • a fifth subject of the present invention relates to a method for producing a shaped article comprising the following steps:
  • the quartz glass body provided in step (1) is a quartz glass body according to the second aspect of the invention or obtainable by a method according to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the provided quartz glass body has the features of the first or second object of the invention.
  • the quartz glass body is formed into a shaped body as described in the first, third and fourth articles of the invention. More preferably, the shaped body can be formed by means of techniques known to glass blowers.
  • the shaped body can assume any shape which can be shaped from quartz glass.
  • Preferred shaped bodies are, for example:
  • Hollow body with at least one opening such as round-bottomed flasks and stand-up flasks,
  • Tubes and hollow cylinders for example reaction tubes, profile tubes, rectangular chambers,
  • Rods, rods and blocks for example in round or angular, symmetrical or asymmetrical design
  • bent parts for example convex or concave surfaces and plates, bent bars and tubes.
  • the shaped body can be treated after molding.
  • all methods described in connection with the first subject of the invention which are suitable for reworking the quartz glass body come into consideration.
  • the shaped body can be mechanically processed, for example by drilling, honing, external grinding, crushing or drawing.
  • Another aspect relates to a molded article obtainable by a method including the following steps: (1) providing a quartz glass body according to the first or second aspect of the invention;
  • the steps (1) and (2) are preferably characterized by the features described in the context of the fifth article.
  • a sixth object of the present invention is the use of a hanging sinter crucible for the production of quartz glass and products comprising quartz glass selected from the group consisting of a light guide, a light bulb and a shaped body, wherein the silica granules of fumed silica, wherein the silica granules have the following features having:
  • FIG. 1 Flow chart (method for producing a quartz glass body)
  • FIG 3 shows a flow chart (method for producing a silica granulate ⁇ )
  • FIG. 5 shows a flow chart (method for producing a luminous means)
  • FIG. 6 schematic representation of a hanging crucible in an oven
  • FIG. 7 schematic representation of a spray tower
  • Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a light guide
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a plan view of a light guide
  • FIG. 1 shows a flow chart containing steps 101 to 104 of a method 100 for producing a quartz glass body according to the present invention.
  • a silica granulate is provided in a first step 101.
  • a glass melt is formed from the silica granules in a second step 102.
  • molds are used for melting, which can be introduced into an oven and removed from it again.
  • Such forms are often made of graphite. They result in a negative mold of the casting.
  • the silica granules are filled into the mold, first melted in the mold in the third step 103.
  • the quartz glass body is formed in the same mold by cooling the melt.
  • This is then removed from the mold and processed further, for example in an optimal onal step 104.
  • This procedure is discontinuous.
  • the formation of the melt is preferably carried out under reduced pressure, in particular under vacuum. It is also possible to temporarily charge the furnace with a reducing, hydrogen-containing atmosphere during step 103.
  • a reducing, hydrogen-containing atmosphere during step 103.
  • crucible hanging or standing crucible preferably used as a crucible hanging or standing crucible.
  • a quartz glass body is formed.
  • the formation of the quartz glass body is preferably carried out here by removing at least a portion of the glass melt from the crucible and cooling. The removal preferably takes place through a nozzle at the lower end of the crucible.
  • the shape of the quartz glass body can be determined by the design of the nozzle. For example, massive bodies can be obtained. Hollow bodies are obtained, for example, if a mandrel is additionally provided in the nozzle.
  • This exemplary method for the production of quartz glass bodies, and in particular step 103 is preferably carried out continuously. From a solid quartz glass body can be formed in an optional step 104, a hollow body.
  • FIG. 2 shows a flow chart containing the steps 201, 202 and 203 of a method 200 for producing a silicon dioxide granulate I.
  • a silicon dioxide powder is provided.
  • a silica powder is preferably obtained from a synthetic process in which a silicon-containing material, for example, a siloxane, a silicon alkoxide or a silicon halide is converted to silica in a pyrogenic process.
  • the silica powder is mixed with a liquid, preferably water, to obtain a slurry.
  • the silica contained in the slurry is transferred to a silica granule.
  • the granulation takes place by means of spray granulation. For this, the slurry is sprayed through a nozzle into a spray tower and dried to form granules, with the contact surface between the nozzle and the slurry including a glass or plastic.
  • FIG. 3 shows a flow chart containing the steps 301, 302, 303 and 304 of a method 300 for producing a silica granulate ⁇ .
  • the steps 301, 302 and 303 in this case run in accordance with the steps 201, 202 and 203 according to FIG. 2.
  • the silicon dioxide granulate I obtained in step 303 is processed into a silicon dioxide granulate II. This is preferably done by heating the silica granules I in a chlorine-containing atmosphere.
  • FIG. 4 shows a flowchart containing the steps 401, 403 and 404 as well as the optional step 402 of a method for producing a light guide.
  • a quartz glass body is provided, preferably a quartz glass body produced according to method 100.
  • Such a quartz glass body may be a solid or a hollow quartz glass body.
  • a hollow quartz glass body is formed according to step 104, in a third step 403, one or more than one core rod is inserted into the hollow quartz glass body.
  • the quartz glass body provided with one or more than one core rod is processed to form a light guide.
  • FIG. 5 shows a flowchart containing the steps 501, 503 and 504 as well as the optional step 502 of a method for producing a luminous means.
  • a quartz glass body is provided, preferably a quartz glass body produced according to method 100.
  • Such a quartz glass body may be a solid or a hollow quartz glass body. If the quartz glass body provided in step 501 is solid, it is optionally formed into a hollow quartz glass body according to step 104 in a second step 502. In an optional third step, the hollow quartz glass body is equipped with electrodes.
  • the hollow quartz glass body is filled with a gas, preferably with argon, krypton, xenon or a combination thereof.
  • a solid quartz glass body is initially provided (501), shaped into a hollow body (502), equipped with electrodes (503) and filled with a gas (504).
  • FIG. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of a furnace 800 with a hanging crucible.
  • the crucible 801 is suspended in the furnace 800.
  • the crucible 801 has in its upper region a suspension 802, as well as a solids inlet 803 and a nozzle 804 as an outlet.
  • the crucible 801 is filled with the silicon dioxide granules 805 via the solids inlet 803.
  • silicon dioxide granules 805 are present in the upper region of the crucible 801, while a glass melt 806 is present in the lower region of the crucible 801.
  • the crucible 801 can be heated by heating elements 807, which are arranged on the outside of the crucible wall 810.
  • the furnace also has an insulation layer 809 between the heating elements 807 and the furnace outer wall 808.
  • the space between the insulating layer 809 and the crucible wall 810 may be filled with a gas, and has a gas inlet 811 and a gas outlet 812 thereto. Through the nozzle 804, a quartz glass body 813 can be removed from the oven.
  • FIG. 7 shows a preferred embodiment of a spray tower 1100 for spray granulating silica.
  • the spray tower 1100 comprises a feed 1101 through which a pressurized slurry containing silica powder and a liquid is supplied to the spray tower.
  • a nozzle 1102 At the end of the line is a nozzle 1102, through which the slurry is finely distributed in the spray tower is introduced.
  • the nozzle is oriented obliquely upwards so that the slurry is sprayed as fine droplets in the direction of the nozzle alignment in the spray tower and then falls down in a bow driven by gravity.
  • the spray tower 1100 also includes a sighting device 1104 and a screening device 1105.
  • the sighting device 1104 particles are sucked off, which fall below a defined particle size, and removed by the discharge 1106. According to the particle size of the particles to be sucked, the suction power of the sighting device 1104 can be regulated.
  • the sieve device 1105 particles are screened above a defined particle size and removed by the discharge 1 107. Depending on the particle size of the particles to be sieved, the sieve permeability of the sieving apparatus 1105 can be selected. The remaining particles, a silica granule of the desired particle size, are withdrawn through the outlet 1108.
  • FIG. 8 schematically shows a cross section through an optical waveguide 1200 according to the invention, which has a
  • Core 1201 and the core 1201 surrounding shell Ml 1202 has.
  • FIG. 9 schematically shows a plan view of an optical waveguide 1300 which has a kabeiförmige structure.
  • a part of the core 1301 without cladding M1 1302 was shown.
  • Typical is the casing of the core 1301 over its entire length with the casing M1 1302.
  • FIG. 10 shows a flow chart containing steps 1601 and 1602 of a method for producing a shaped body.
  • a quartz glass body is provided, preferably a quartz glass body produced according to method 100.
  • Such a quartz glass body may be a solid or a hollow quartz glass body.
  • a shaped body is formed in a second step 1602.
  • the fictive temperature is "determined”
  • the procedure and evaluation is et in the paper by Pßeiderer al... "By Raman spectroscopy based on the Raman scattering intensity at around 606 cm
  • the UV-induced 210 ran absorbent belt in fused silica with different thermal history and stoichiometry "; Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, Vol. 159 (1993), pages 145-153.
  • the OH content of the glass is determined by infrared spectroscopy.
  • the method "Optical Determinations of OH in Fused Silica” (JAP 37, 3991 (1966)) specified by DM Dodd & DM Fraser is used instead of the device specified therein, an FTIR spectrometer (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, current
  • the analysis of the spectra can in principle be carried out both at the absorption band at about 3670 cm-1 and at the absorption band at about 7200 cm-1.
  • the selection of the band used is carried out according to the rule in that the transmission loss due to the OH absorption is between 10 and 90% C.
  • the ODC (I) absorption at 165 nm is determined by transmission measurement on a 1-2 mm thick sample using a vacuum UV spectrometer, model VUVAS 2000, from McPherson, Inc. (USA).
  • N defect concentration [1 / cm 3 ]
  • OES or MS depends on the expected element concentration. Typical determination limits for the MS are lppb, for the OES lOppb (in each case based on the weighted sample amount).
  • the determination of the element concentration with the measuring instruments is carried out in accordance with the equipment manufacturers (ICP-MS: Agilent 7500ce, ICP-OES: Perkin Elmer 7300 DV) and using certified reference liquids for calibration.
  • the element concentration in the solution (15 ml) determined by the devices is then converted to the original sample weight (2 g).
  • a well-defined volume of the liquid is weighed into a measuring vessel which is inert with respect to the liquid and its constituents, the empty weight and the weight of the filled vessel being measured.
  • the density results from the difference between the two weight measurements divided by the volume of liquid introduced.
  • the determination of the fluoride content of the measurement solution is carried out by means of an ion-sensitive (fluoride) electrode, suitable for the expected concentration range, and display device according to the manufacturer, here a fluoride ion-selective electrode and reference electrode F-500 with R503 / D on a pMX 3000 / pH / ION of the companyticianlich-Technische Werkmaschinen GmbH.
  • an ion-sensitive (fluoride) electrode suitable for the expected concentration range
  • display device here a fluoride ion-selective electrode and reference electrode F-500 with R503 / D on a pMX 3000 / pH / ION of the companyticianlich-Technische Werkmaschinen GmbH.
  • the measuring solution has a pH in the range between 5 and 7.
  • the determination of the chloride content of the measuring solution is carried out by means of ion-sensitive (chloride) electrode, suitable for the expected concentration range, and display device according to the manufacturer's instructions here a type Cl-500 electrode and reference electrode type R-503 / D on a pMX 3000 / pH / ION the company Scientific-Technical Workshops GmbH.
  • chloride ion-sensitive
  • Chlorine contents ⁇ 50 ppm up to 0.1 ppm in quartz glass are determined by neutron activation analysis (NAA).
  • NAA neutron activation analysis
  • quartz glass samples The transmission of quartz glass samples is determined using commercial grid or FTIR spectrometers from Perkin Elmer (Lambda 900 [190-3000nm] or System 2000 [1000-5000nm]). The choice depends on the required measuring range.
  • the specimens are polished in a plane-parallel manner (surface roughness RMS ⁇ 0.5 nm) and the surface after polishing is freed from all residues by ultrasonic treatment.
  • the sample thickness is 1cm. In the case of expected high transmission loss due to contamination, doping, etc., a thicker or thinner sample can also be selected to remain within the instrument's measuring range.
  • a sample thickness (measuring length) is selected in which, due to the passage of light through the sample, only slight artifacts occur and at the same time a sufficiently detectable effect is measured.
  • the sample is placed in front of an Ulbrich sphere in the beam path.
  • the refractive index distribution of tubes / rods can be determined by means of a York Technology Ltd. Preform Profiler PI 02 or PI 04.
  • the rod is placed horizontally in the measuring chamber and this sealed. Thereafter, the measuring chamber is filled up with an immersion oil which has a refractive index at the test wavelength of 633nm, which is very similar to the outermost glass layer at 633nm.
  • the laser beam then passes through the measuring chamber. Behind the measuring chamber (in beam direction) a detector is mounted, which determines the deflection angle (jet entry in opposite to jet exit from the measuring chamber).
  • the diametric refractive index profile can be reconstructed by means of an inverse Abel transformation.
  • the refractive index of a sample is analogous to the above description with the York Technology Ltd. Preform Profiler PI 04 determined. In the case of isotropic samples, only one value is obtained even when measuring the refractive index distribution, the refractive index. k. Carbon content
  • the quantitative determination of the surface carbon content of silica granules and silicon dioxide powder is carried out on a carbon analyzer RC612 from Leco Corporation, USA, by the complete oxidation of all surface carbon contaminants (except SiC) with oxygen to carbon dioxide.
  • a carbon analyzer RC612 from Leco Corporation, USA
  • 4.0 g of a sample are weighed and introduced into the carbon analyzer in a quartz glass boat.
  • the sample is lapped with pure oxygen and heated to 900 ° C for 180 seconds.
  • the resulting CO 2 is detected by the infrared detector of the carbon analyzer. Under these measurement conditions, the detection limit is ⁇ 1 ppm (ppm by weight) carbon.
  • a quartz glass boat suitable for this analysis on the abovementioned carbon analyzer is available as a consumable for LECO analyzer with the LECO number 781-335 in the laboratory supply trade, in the present case from Deslis Laborhandel, Flurstrasse 21, D-40235 Dusseldorf (Germany), Deslis. No. LQ-130XL.
  • Such a boat has the dimensions of width / length / height of about 25mm / 60mm / 15mm.
  • the quartz glass boat is filled halfway up with sample material. For silicon dioxide powder, a weight of 1.0 g sample material can be achieved. The lower detection limit is then ⁇ 1 ppm by weight of carbon.
  • a weight of 4 g of a silica granules is reached (average particle size in the range of 100 to 500 ⁇ ).
  • the lower detection limit is then about 0.1 ppm by weight of carbon.
  • the Curl parameter (also called: "Fiber Curl”) is determined in accordance with DIN EN 60793-1-34: 2007-01 (German version of the standard IEC 60793-1-34: 2006) in the sections A.2.1, A.3.2 and A.4.1 ("extrema technique"). m. damping
  • the damping is determined in accordance with DIN EN 60793-1-40: 2001 (German version of IEC 60793-1- 40: 2001).
  • the slurry is adjusted with demineralised water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water grade: 18.2 MQcm) to a concentration of 30% solids by weight. Subsequently, the viscosity is measured on an MCR102 of the Anton Paar company. For this, the viscosity at 5 revolutions / minute
  • the slurry is adjusted to a concentration of 30% solids by weight with demineralized water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water grade: 18.2 MQcm).
  • demineralized water Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water grade: 18.2 MQcm.
  • the thixotropy is determined with a MCR102 of the Fa. Anton pair with a cone-plate arrangement.
  • the viscosity is measured at 5 and at 50 revolutions / minute (rpm).
  • the quotient of the first and the second value gives the thixotropic index.
  • the measurement is measured at a temperature of 23 ° C.
  • a zeta potential measuring cell (Flow Cell, Beckman Coulter) is used.
  • the sample is dissolved in demineralized water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water quality: 18.2 MQcm) to obtain a 20 mL solution at 1 g / L concentration.
  • the pH is brought to 7 by addition of HNO 3 solutions having the concentrations of 0.1 mol / L and 1 mol / L and a NaOH solution having the concentration of 0.1 mol / L. It is measured at a temperature of 23 ° C.
  • the isoelectric point a zeta potential measuring cell (Flow Cell, Beckman Coulter) and an autotitrator (DelsaNano AT, Beckman Coulter) are used.
  • the sample is dissolved in demineralized water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water quality: 18.2 MQcm) to obtain a 20 mL solution at 1 g / L concentration.
  • the pH is varied by adding HNO 3 solutions having the concentrations of 0.1 mol / L and 1 mol / L and a NaOH solution having the concentration of 0.1 mol / L.
  • the isoelectric point is the pH at which the zeta potential is zero. It is measured at a temperature of 23 ° C. pH of the slurry
  • the pH of the slurry is measured by means of a WTW 3210 from the companyticianlich-Technische-Werk Toon GmbH.
  • the electrode used is the pH 3210 Set 3 from WTW. It is measured at a temperature of 23 ° C.
  • the bulk density is determined according to the standard DIN ISO 697: 1984-01 with a SMG 697 from Powtec.
  • the bulk material (silica powder or granules) does not form lumps.
  • the tamped density is measured according to DIN ISO 787: 1995-10. Determination of the pore size distribution
  • the pore size distribution is determined according to DIN 66133 (with a surface tension of 480 mN / m and a contact angle of 140 °).
  • Pascal 400 from Porotec is used.
  • pore sizes from 3.7 nm to 100 ⁇ Pascal 140 is used by the company. Porotec.
  • the sample is subjected to a pressure treatment before the measurement.
  • a Manual Hydraulic Press (Order No. 15011 from Specac Ltd., River House, 97 Cray Avenue, Orpington, Kent BR5 4HE, U.K.) is used.
  • sample material 250 mg are weighed into a "pellet die" with a 13 mm inner diameter from Specac Ltd. and loaded with 1 t as indicated.This load is held for 5 s and readjusted if necessary, then the sample is decompressed and allowed to stand for 4 h 105 ⁇ 2 ° C dried in a convection oven.
  • the sample is weighed into the Type 10 Penetrometer to a precision of 0.001 g and, for a good reproducibility of the measurement, is selected so that the stem volume used, ie the percentage of Hg volume consumed to fill the penetrometer, is between 20%.
  • the penetrometer is then slowly evacuated to 50 ⁇ m Hg and left at this pressure for 5 minutes.
  • the following parameters are given directly by the software of the measuring devices: total pore volume, total pore surface area (assumption pore cylindrical ), Average pore radius, modal pore radius (most common pore radius), peak n. 2 pore radius (on).
  • the primary particle size is measured by means of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) model Zeiss Ultra 55.
  • SEM scanning electron microscope
  • the sample is suspended in demineralized water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water quality: 18.2 MQcm) to obtain an extremely dilute suspension.
  • the suspension is treated with the ultrasonic probe (UW 2070, Bandelin electronic, 70 W, 20 kHz) for 1 min and then applied to a carbon adhesive pad.
  • the mean particle size in suspension is measured by means of a Mastersizer 2000, available from Malvern Instruments Ltd., UK, according to their instruction manual using the laser diffraction method.
  • the sample is suspended in demineralized water (Direct-Q 3UV, Millipore, water quality: 18.2 MQcm) to obtain 20 mL suspension at a concentration of 1 g / L.
  • the suspension is treated with the ultrasonic probe (UW 2070, Bandelin electronic, 70 W, 20 kHz) for 1 min.
  • the particle size and grain size of the solid are measured by means of a Camsizers XT available from Retsch Technology GmbH, Germany according to their instruction manual.
  • the software outputs the D10, D50 and D90 values for a sample.
  • the reference materials are Alumina SARM-13 and SARM-214, available from Quantachrome, and the tare weight of the measuring cells used (clean and dry)
  • the type of measuring cell is chosen so that the supplied sample material and the filling rod fill the measuring cell as much as possible and the dead space is reduced to a minimum 10-20 m 2 / g
  • the measuring cells are fixed in the baking stations of the BET measuring device (without filling rod) and evacuated to ⁇ 200 mbar The speed of the evacuation is set so that no Ma material escapes from the measuring cell. In this state is at
  • the viscosity of the glass is measured by means of the beam bending viscometer type 401 - TA Instruments with the manufacturer software WinTA (currently version 9.0) under Windows 10 according to the standard DIN ISO 7884-4: 1998-02.
  • the span between the supports is 45mm.
  • Sample sticks with a rectangular cross-section are cut from areas of homogeneous material (top and bottom of the sample with fine grinding of at least 1000 grains).
  • the dew point is determined by means of a Taupunk mirror hygrometer with the designation "Optidew” from Michel Instruments GmbH, D-61381 Friedrichsdorf
  • the measuring cell of the dew point mirror hygrometer is arranged at a distance of 100 cm from the gas outlet of the furnace connected to the gas outlet of the furnace via a T-piece and a hose (Swagelok PFA, outer diameter: 6 mm) with a gas pressure of 10 ⁇ 2 mbar
  • the gas flow through the measuring cell is 1-2 standard liters / min
  • the measuring cell is located in a room with a temperature of 25 ° C, 30% relative humidity and a mean air pressure of 1013 hPa. zc. residual moisture
  • HX204 is equipped with a halogen heater as heating element.
  • the drying temperature is 220 ° C.
  • the starting weight of the sample is 10 g ⁇ 10%. Drying is continued until the change in weight does not reach more than 1 mg / 140 s
  • the residual moisture is the difference between the start weight of the sample and the final weight of the sample, divided by the start weight of the sample.
  • the aerosol formed from the atomization of a siloxane with air (A) is introduced under pressure into a flame formed by ignition of a mixture of oxygen-enriched air (B) and hydrogen. Furthermore, an air stream (C) surrounding the flame is introduced and the process mixture subsequently cooled with process gas. The product is deposited on a filter.
  • the process parameters are given in Table 1 and the characteristics of the resulting products in Table 2. Experimental data for this example are labeled Al-x.
  • OMCTS octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
  • SiC silicon tetrachloride
  • a particle stream of silica powder is introduced over the top of a standing column. Water vapor at a temperature (A) and air is supplied via the foot of the column. The column is held by an internal heater to a temperature (B) at the column head and a second temperature (C) at the column base. After leaving the column (residence time (D)), the silica powder has in particular the properties shown in Table 6. The process parameters are given in Table 5.
  • the silica powders obtained in Examples C-1 and C-2 each have a low chlorine content and a moderate pH in suspension.
  • the carbon content of Example C-2 is higher than that of C-1.
  • a particle stream of silica powder is introduced over the top of a standing column. About the foot of the column, a neutralizing agent and air is supplied. The column is held by an internal heater to a temperature (B) at the column head and a second temperature (C) at the column base. After leaving the column (residence time (D)), the silica powder has in particular the properties shown in Table 8. The process parameters are given in Table 7. Table 7
  • silica granules from silica powder
  • Installation height distance between the nozzle and the lowest point of the spray tower interior in the direction of the gravity vector.
  • the granules are all porous, show a uniform and spherical shape (all microscopic examination). They are not prone to caking or sticking.
  • Silica granules are first treated in a rotary kiln, optionally at a temperature T1, with oxygen or nitrogen (see Table 11). Subsequently, the silica granules are treated in cocurrent with a chlorine-containing component, wherein the temperature is increased to a temperature T2. The process parameters are given in Table 11, the properties of the resulting treated granules in Table 12. Table 11
  • the throughput was chosen as the controlled variable. This means that during operation the mass flow emerging from the rotary kiln is weighed and then the rotational speed and / or the inclination of the rotary kiln are adjusted accordingly. For example, an increase in throughput can be achieved by a) increasing the rotational speed, or b) increasing the inclination of the rotary tube from the horizontal, or a combination of a) and b).
  • the granules after the cleaning step show in the case of Fl-2, F2-1 and F3-2 a significantly reduced carbon content (such as low-carbon granules, eg Fl-1).
  • Fl-2, Fl-5, F2-1 and F3-2 show a significantly lower content of alkaline earth metals. SiC formation was not observed.
  • Silica granules are subjected to a temperature treatment in a preliminary furnace in the form of a rotary kiln, which is connected upstream of the melting furnace and connected to the latter via a further intermediate chamber in a fluid-conducting manner.
  • the rotary kiln is characterized by a rising in the conveying direction temperature profile.
  • a further treated silica granule was obtained.
  • Example G-4-2 was dispensed with a heat treatment during mixing in the rotary kiln.
  • the process parameters are given in Table 13, the properties of the resulting treated granules in Table 14.
  • the throughput was chosen as the control variable. This means that during operation the mass flow emerging from the rotary kiln is weighed and then the rotational speed and / or the inclination of the rotary kiln are adjusted accordingly. For example, an increase in throughput can be achieved by a) increasing the rotational speed, or b) increasing the inclination of the rotary tube from the horizontal, or a combination of a) and b).
  • G3-1 and G3-2 have a significantly lower alkaline earth metal content compared to before (E3-1 and E3-2, respectively) as a result of this treatment.
  • Silica granules according to line 2 of Table 15 are used to make a quartz glass tube in a vertical crucible drawing process.
  • the structure of the hanging crucible is shown schematically in FIG. 6.
  • the silicon dioxide granules are added via the solids feed and the interior of the crucible is flushed with a gas mixture.
  • a glass melt forms, on which a bulk cone of silicon dioxide granules sits.
  • molten glass is removed from the glass melt via a drawing die (possibly with a mandrel) and withdrawn vertically downwards as a pipe string.
  • the throughput of the system is obtained.
  • the flow rate can be adjusted to the desired size.
  • the process parameters are given in Table 15, the properties of the quartz glass bodies formed in Table 16.
  • the liquid used for the aforementioned treatment is characterized before and after treatment by the properties given in Table 17.
EP16822145.5A 2015-12-18 2016-12-16 Herstellung eines quarzglaskörpers in einem hängenden sintertiegel Withdrawn EP3390306A2 (de)

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KR20180095879A (ko) 2015-12-18 2018-08-28 헤래우스 크바르츠글라스 게엠베하 ＆ 컴파니 케이지 상승된 온도에서 탄소-도핑된 실리카 과립을 처리하여 실리카 과립의 알칼리 토금속 함량의 감소
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TWI812586B (zh) 2015-12-18 2023-08-21 德商何瑞斯廓格拉斯公司 石英玻璃體、其製備方法與應用、及用於控制烘箱出口處之露點
JP2019502633A (ja) 2015-12-18 2019-01-31 ヘレウス クワルツグラス ゲーエムベーハー ウント コンパニー カーゲー 均質な石英ガラス製のガラス繊維および母材
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WO2017103114A2 (de) 2017-06-22
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US20190092676A1 (en) 2019-03-28

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