JP2023043108A - Raw material powder supply device, raw material powder mixing device, glass product manufacturing apparatus, raw material powder supply method, raw material powder mixing method and glass product manufacturing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a raw material powder supply device capable of reducing the moisture absorption of a raw material powder.SOLUTION: A raw material powder supply device includes: a raw material powder storage part for storing raw material powder having hygroscopicity; a measurement part for measuring the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage part; a first supply passage for connecting the raw material powder storage part with the measurement part to transfer the raw material powder to the measurement part from the raw material powder storage part; and a second supply passage connected to the measurement part and for transferring the raw material powder to the outside from the measurement part. At least one of the first and second supply passages includes a heating part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a raw material powder supply device, a raw material powder blending device, a glass product manufacturing device, a raw material powder supply method, a raw material powder blending method, and a glass product manufacturing method.

2. Description of the Related Art When mixing a plurality of types of raw material powders at a predetermined mixing ratio, a raw material powder supply device is used to convey the plurality of types of raw material powders. The raw material powder is used, for example, as a raw material for molten glass. Various glass products such as glass substrates are produced by melting the prepared powder, which is a mixture of multiple types of raw material powders conveyed by the raw material powder feeder, in a melting furnace, and then cooling the obtained molten glass while forming it into a predetermined shape. is manufactured.

As a raw material powder supply device, for example, a first storage container for storing cullet, a second storage container for storing a raw material batch, and the raw material batch in the second storage container are metered into the first storage container. An apparatus is disclosed which comprises a metering device for dosing and an unloading device for conveying a mixture of cullet and raw material batches to a glass melting facility (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In this apparatus, the raw material batch that has fallen into the metering device in the second storage container is conveyed into the take-out hopper of the first storage container by the screw, and the mixture of the raw material batch and cullet in the first storage container is It is conveyed into the glass melting facility by the screw.

JP 2016-30721 A

However, the apparatus of Patent Literature 1 does not control humidity in passages or the like through which raw material powders such as cullet and raw material batches are conveyed. Therefore, in the apparatus of Patent Document 1, when the raw material powder is hygroscopic, at least a part of the raw material powder reacts with moisture in the air and dissolves in the metering device and the unloading device, so that the raw material powder is separated from each other. It may caking. If the raw material powders are agglomerated, they adhere to the walls, screws, etc., in the metering device and the unloading device, making it difficult to convey the raw material powders and causing a failure.

An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a raw material powder supply apparatus capable of reducing moisture absorption of the raw material powder.

One aspect of the raw material powder supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a raw material powder storage unit for storing hygroscopic raw material powder, a measuring unit for weighing the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage unit, and the raw material powder. a first supply passage that connects the storage unit and the weighing unit and moves the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage unit to the weighing unit; and a second supply path to be moved, and a heating unit provided in at least one of the first supply path and the second supply path.

One aspect of the raw material powder supply device according to the present invention can reduce moisture absorption of the raw material powder.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the raw material powder supply apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the raw material powder supply device of FIG. 1. FIG. It is an explanatory view showing a state in which the damper is opened. It is a figure which shows an example of another structure of a heating part. 4 is a flow chart of a raw material powder supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a raw material powder blending apparatus. FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6; 4 is a flow chart of a raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a glassware manufacturing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9; It is a flow chart of a glass product manufacturing method concerning this embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing, and overlapping descriptions are omitted. Also, the scale of each member in the drawings may differ from the actual scale. Unless otherwise specified, "-" indicating a numerical range in this specification means that the numerical values before and after it are included as lower and upper limits.

<Raw material powder supply device>
A raw material powder supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the raw material powder supply device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the raw material powder supply device of FIG. 1 and 2, a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system with three axial directions (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction) is used, and the height direction of the raw material powder supply device is the Z-axis direction. In a plane perpendicular to the direction, one of two directions perpendicular to each other is defined as the X-axis direction, and the other is defined as the Y-axis direction. The direction from the bottom to the top of the raw material powder supply device is the +Z-axis direction, and the opposite direction is the -Z-axis direction. In the following description, the +Z-axis direction may be referred to as upward or upward, and the −Z-axis direction may be referred to as downward or downward, but this does not represent a universal vertical relationship.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the raw material powder supply device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a raw material powder input section 10, a raw material powder storage section 20, a weighing section 30, a first supply path 40A, a second supply path 40B, A dry gas introduction section 50 , a heating section 60 , a thermo-hygrometer 70 , a pressure gauge 80 and a control section 90 are provided.

The raw material powder supply device 1 moves the hygroscopic raw material powder P from the raw material powder storage unit 20 to the outside through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. The passage 40A and the second supply passage 40B are heated. As a result, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the humidity in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, thereby suppressing moisture absorption of the raw material powder moving in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. , it is possible to suppress the raw material powders from sticking together.

The raw material powder P may be a hygroscopic powder. mentioned.

The raw material powder P is preferably a deliquescent powder among hygroscopic powders. Hygroscopicity includes deliquescence. Hygroscopicity refers to the property of a substance to absorb or adsorb water molecules, and deliquescence refers to the property of a substance to change into a state such as a solution after absorbing or adsorbing water molecules. A deliquescent powder is more suitable than a hygroscopic powder for the raw material powder supply device 1 that can suppress the solidification of the raw material powders moving in the first supply passage 40A and the second supply passage 40B.

A deliquescent powder means a powder whose saturated aqueous solution has a water vapor pressure lower than the atmospheric water vapor partial pressure, preferably a powder whose saturated aqueous water vapor pressure at 20° C. is 2.7 kPa or less. Examples of the deliquescent powder include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ammonium chloride, strontium chloride and the like among the substances listed above as the hygroscopic powder.

As shown in FIG. 2, the raw material powder input unit 10 is provided above the raw material powder storage unit 20, temporarily stores the raw material powder P input from the outside, and stores at least part of the stored raw material powder P. is put into the raw material powder storage unit 20 .

The raw material powder input unit 10 includes a storage unit 11, a lid unit 12, a damper 13, and a gas introduction hole 14. By controlling the opening and closing of the damper 13, the raw material powder P is stored and the stored raw material powder P is stored. Controls input to unit 20 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the storage part 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape and stores the raw material powder P inside. Note that the cylindrical shape may be circular or polygonal in a plan view of the storage unit 11 . A circular shape includes not only a perfect circle but also an ellipse in a plan view of the storage unit 11 . The storage unit 11 is formed in a truncated cone shape.

The storage unit 11 has an opening (insertion port) 11a and an opening (discharge port) 11b at its upper and lower ends. The inlet 11a is a hole through which the raw material powder P is introduced, and the outlet 11b is a hole through which the raw powder P is discharged. The shape of the inlet 11a and the outlet 11b can be appropriately selected according to the external shape of the storage unit 11, and may be circular, rectangular, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the lid portion 12 is provided on the upper portion of the storage portion 11 and closes the inlet 11 a of the storage portion 11 . The lid portion 12 blocks the inside of the storage portion 11 from the external atmosphere by closing the inlet 11a of the storage portion 11 . By closing the inlet 11a of the storage section 11 with the lid section 12, the raw material powder P in the storage section 11 is suppressed from being scattered to the outside, and the contamination of dust and the like into the storage section 11 is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the damper 13 is provided in the middle of the passage inside the storage section 11 . The configuration of the damper 13 is not particularly limited as long as the size of the cross-sectional area of the passage in the storage unit 11 can be adjusted, and a general damper can be used. In this embodiment, the damper 13 includes a vertically rotatable movable plate. The damper 13 controls storage and dropping of the raw material powder P introduced into the storage unit 11 by adjusting its inclination.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the damper 13 is arranged substantially horizontally in the storage section 11, there is almost no gap between the damper 13 and the inner wall of the storage section 11, and the damper 13 allows the storage section 11 to move. passage is closed. Therefore, the raw material powder P is stored above the damper 13 in the storage unit 11 .

As shown in FIG. 3, when the damper 13 is arranged substantially vertically in the storage section 11, a gap is generated between the damper 13 and the inner wall of the storage section 11, and the passage of the storage section 11 is opened by the damper 13. be. Therefore, the raw material powder P stored in the storage unit 11 by the damper 13 drops due to its own weight and moves downward (in the −Z-axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 2, the gas introduction hole 14 is a through hole provided in the side surface of the storage unit 11, and is connected to the gas introduction pipe 52A. The dry gas CA that has flowed from the dry gas introduction part 50 (see FIG. 1) into the gas introduction pipe 52A is supplied to the interior of the storage part 11 through the gas introduction hole 14 .
The gas introduction hole 14 may have a size that allows the gas introduction pipe 52A to be removably fitted therein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the raw material powder storage section 20 has the upper end of the raw material powder storage section 20 connected to the lower end of the storage section 11, and the lower end to the first supply path 40A. The raw material powder storage unit 20 stores the raw material powder P that has fallen from the storage unit 11 and moved. The raw material powder storage unit 20 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a space A in which the raw material powder P dropped from the storage unit 11 is stored.

The raw material powder storage unit 20 may have a diameter that gradually decreases from the top to the bottom when viewed from the front. The raw material powder storage section 20 may be formed in a cylindrical shape and have the same diameter from top to bottom when viewed from the front.

The raw material powder storage unit 20 has a powder inlet 20A at its upper portion and a powder discharge port 20B at its lower portion. The raw material powder storage unit 20 is connected so that the discharge port 11b of the storage unit 11 is positioned above the powder inlet 20A, and the first supply path 40A is horizontally arranged below the powder discharge port 20B. It is connected to the.

The raw material powder P dropped from the storage unit 11 into the raw material powder storage unit 20 accumulates upward in the raw material powder storage unit 20 from the first supply path 40A located below the powder discharge port 20B.

The relative humidity of the space A in the raw material powder storage section 20 is preferably 30% or less, more preferably 15% or less, and even more preferably 10% or less. If the relative humidity is 30% or less, even if the raw material powder P is stored in the raw material powder storage unit 20 for several days (for example, 1 to 7 days), the raw material powder P can be prevented from absorbing moisture.

The relative humidity (unit: %) is a value obtained by dividing the water vapor amount _mw contained in the air by the saturated water vapor amount _mmax of the humidity and multiplying the value by 100 as shown in the following formula (1).
Relative humidity RH (%) = mw _{/ mmax} x 100 (1)

The relative humidity of the space A in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be set by the gas amount of the dry gas CA supplied into the storage section 11 by the dry gas introduction section 50 . The dry gas CA is supplied to the space A through the interior of the storage section 11 from the gas introduction pipe 52A connected to the gas introduction hole 14 provided on the side surface of the storage section 11 . By increasing the amount of the dry gas CA supplied into the space A, the relative humidity of the space A can be set low.

As shown in FIG. 2, the weighing unit 30 has a cylindrical container 31 having a space inside and a weighing device 32 provided on the side surface of the container 31 . Raw material powder P is supplied through the first supply path 40A. By measuring the amount of change in the load applied to the weighing device 32 and measuring the amount of change in the mass inside the container 31, the amount of the raw material powder P supplied from the raw material powder storage unit 20 is measured. A load cell or the like is used as the weighing device 32 . The weighing device 32 is connected to the control unit 90 to send the measurement results.

In addition, the weighing unit 30 can use a generally used weighing machine. The amount of the raw material powder P in the container 31 may be measured by installing a level sensor 32 and measuring the amount of change in the height of the raw material powder P.

The size of the weighing unit 30 is not particularly limited, and can be designed to any size as appropriate.

The weighing unit 30 is connected to the first supply path 40A on the upper side of one side (−Y axis direction), and is connected to the second supply path 40B on the lower side of the other side (+Y axis direction). The raw material powder P is supplied from the upper side inside the weighing section 30 through the first supply passage 40A, and is discharged outside the weighing section 30 through the second supply passage 40B.

The weighing unit 30 may include a gas introduction hole 311 above the other (+Y-axis direction) side surface of the container 31 to which the gas introduction pipe 52B may be connected. The dry gas CA that has flowed from the dry gas introduction portion 50 (see FIG. 1) into the gas introduction pipe 52B is supplied from the gas introduction hole 311 into the storage portion 11 . Note that the gas introduction hole 311 may have a size that allows the gas introduction pipe 52B to be removably fitted therein.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first supply path 40A is a tubular passage that connects the raw material powder storage section 20 and the weighing section 30 and moves the raw material powder P from the raw material powder storage section 20 to the weighing section 30. The first supply path 40A may be rectangular or circular when viewed in the axial direction. The first supply path 40A has an upper opening 401A at a position corresponding to the powder discharge port 20B of the raw powder storage section 20, and is connected to the raw powder storage section 20 substantially horizontally. One end of the first supply path 40A is connected to an injection hole 312 provided in the side wall of the container 31 of the weighing section 30. As shown in FIG.

The upper opening 401A may have substantially the same shape and size as the powder discharge port 20B in plan view, may have a size including the powder discharge port 20B, or may be smaller than the powder discharge port 20B.

40 A of 1st supply paths have 41 A of 1st powder supply parts inside. The first powder supply section 41A only needs to have a mechanism capable of transporting the raw material powder P in a substantially horizontal direction, and a screw feeder, rotary feeder, electromagnetic feeder, or the like is used. In this embodiment, the first powder supply section 41A is configured by a screw feeder, and may have a conveying screw 411A and a driving section 412A that rotationally drives the conveying screw 411A.

The conveying screw 411A conveys the raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A in a substantially horizontal direction toward the weighing section 30 side.

A motor or the like is used as the drive unit 412A.

The raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A is moved to the weighing section 30 by driving and rotating the conveying screw 411A by the driving section 412A.

The first supply path 40A is preferably provided substantially horizontally at the bottom of the raw material powder storage section 20 . As will be described later, the heating unit 60 is provided on the outer circumference of the first supply path 40A. Therefore, the first supply path 40A is provided substantially horizontally, so that the first supply path 40A can be heated according to the heating condition of the first supply path 40A. Since the moving amount of the raw material powder P passing through the 1 supply path 40A can be appropriately adjusted, the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second supply path 40B is connected to the discharge port 313 of the container 31 of the weighing unit 30, and supplies the raw material powder P from the weighing unit 30 to the outside (for example, the blending unit 110 in FIGS. 6 and 7). It is a tubular passage through which the The second supply path 40B has an upper opening 401B at a position corresponding to the discharge port 313 of the container 31 and is connected to the weighing section 30 substantially horizontally.

The second supply path 40B has a second powder supply section 41B inside. The second powder supply section 41B may be configured similarly to the first powder supply section 41A. That is, the second powder supply section 41B, like the first powder supply section 41A, only needs to have a mechanism capable of transferring the raw material powder P in a substantially horizontal direction, and a screw feeder, a rotary feeder, an electromagnetic feeder, or the like can be used. . In the present embodiment, the second powder supply section 41B may be composed of a screw feeder, similar to the first powder supply section 41A, and may have a conveying screw 411B and a driving section 412B for rotationally driving the conveying screw 411B.

As with the first supply path 40A, the second supply path 40B is also preferably provided substantially horizontally at the bottom of the weighing section 30 . As will be described later, the heating unit 60 is provided on the outer circumference of the second supply path 40B. Therefore, the second supply path 40B is provided substantially horizontally, so that the second supply path 40B is heated according to the degree of heating of the second supply path 40B. Since the moving amount of the raw material powder P passing through the second supply path 40B can be appropriately adjusted, the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dry gas introduction part 50 is connected to the gas introduction hole 14 (see FIG. 2) provided in the side surface of the storage part 11 of the raw material powder introduction part 10, and is connected to the raw material powder introduction part 10 and the raw material powder storage. A dry gas CA is introduced into the section 20 .

Dry air, nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or the like is used as the dry gas CA.

The dry gas introduction unit 50 connects the gas supply unit 51 that stores the dry gas CA, the gas supply unit 51, the storage unit 11 and the measurement unit 30, and conveys the dry gas CA into the storage unit 11 and the measurement unit 30. It may have a gas introduction pipe 52 for connecting the gas.

As the gas supply unit 51, a gas tank or the like that stores the dry gas CA is used.

The gas introduction pipe 52 has a gas introduction pipe 52A that connects the gas supply unit 51 and the storage unit 11, and a gas introduction pipe 52B that connects the gas supply unit 51 and the container 31 of the weighing unit 30. you can The gas introduction pipe 52A supplies the dry gas G into the storage unit 11 from its tip, and the gas introduction pipe 52B supplies the dry gas G into the container 31 from its tip. The gas introduction pipe 52 may include a control valve (not shown) in the middle of the gas introduction pipes 52A and 52B to control the flow rate of the dry gas CA flowing through these pipes. The gas introduction pipe 52 may have only the gas introduction pipe 52A and may not have the gas introduction pipe 52B.

The gas introduction pipe 52</b>A may be provided so that its tip is positioned substantially at the same position as the inner wall of the storage section 11 , or may protrude into the space inside the storage section 11 . As with the gas introduction pipe 52A, the gas introduction pipe 52B may also be provided so that its tip is positioned substantially at the same position as the inner wall of the container 31, or may protrude into the space inside the container 31.

In the present embodiment, the dry gas introduction section 50 connects the gas introduction pipe 52A to the raw material powder input section 10, but a through hole is provided in the side surface of the raw material powder storage section 20 so that the side surface of the raw material powder storage section 20 , and the dry gas CA may be supplied directly to the space A in the raw material powder storage unit 20 . In addition to the gas introduction pipes 52A and 52B, the dry gas introduction part 50 may have another gas introduction pipe connected to the side surface of the raw material powder storage part 20 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the heating section 60 has two heating sections 60A and 60B. 60 A of heating parts are provided in the outer periphery of 40 A of 1st supply paths, and heat 40 A of 1st supply paths. The heating unit 60B is provided on the outer periphery of the second supply path 40B and heats the second supply path 40B. The heating unit 60 may include either the heating unit 60A or 60B, and may be provided only on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A or the second supply path 40B.

The heating unit 60A has a heat transfer member 61A that heats the first supply path 40A and a thermometer 62A that measures the temperature of the first supply path 40A. It has a heat member 61B and a thermometer 62B for measuring the temperature of the second supply path 40B.

The heat transfer members 61A and 61B are arranged on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B while being in contact with the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. As the heat transfer members 61A and 61B, a ribbon heater in which a heater wire is stitched to a heat-resistant cloth or ribbon and integrated can be used. Instead of the ribbon heaters, the heating units 60A and 60B may use planar heaters, ceramic heaters, or the like, in which heater wires are sewn together with heat-resistant cloth or ribbons.

The thermometers 62A and 62B are provided on the outer periphery of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B so as to be positioned between the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B and the heat transfer members 61A and 61B. is preferred. As the thermometers 62A and 62B, those generally used as thermometers can be used, such as thermocouples. Thermometers 62A and 62B are connected to control unit 90 to send measurement results. Since the temperatures of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B are measured by the thermometers 62A and 62B, the heating temperature of the heat transfer members 61A and 61B can be appropriately adjusted to any temperature.

The heating unit 60 heats the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, thereby transferring heat to the air inside the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, thereby heating the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. The air inside the second supply path 40B is heated. As a result, the saturated water vapor pressure of the air inside the first supply channel 40A and the second supply channel 40B can be increased, and the amount of moisture present in the air inside the first supply channel 40A and the second supply channel 40B can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the raw material powder P reacts with moisture present in the air in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B and causes moisture absorption.

The heating unit 60 may be provided over the entire length of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, or may be provided only partially. For example, the heating unit 60A is not provided at a position directly below the raw material powder storage unit 20, and the upper opening 401A provided at a position corresponding to the powder discharge port 20B of the raw material powder storage unit 20 and the wall surface of the weighing unit 30 may be placed in between. The heating unit 60B may not be provided directly below the weighing unit 30, but may be provided outside the wall surface of the container 31 and the upper opening 401B provided at a position corresponding to the discharge port 313 of the container 31. Areas other than directly under the raw material powder storage section 20 and the weighing section 30 are particularly likely to be cooled by the outside air, and tend to be prone to moisture, because the areas where the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B contact the outside increase. be. A heating section 60A is provided between the upper opening 401 and the wall surface of the weighing section 30, a heating section 60B is provided outside the upper opening 401B and the wall surface of the container 31, and the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B are provided. By heating the air inside, the saturated water vapor pressure of the air can be increased, and the formation of moisture in the air can be efficiently suppressed. Also, the heating unit 60A and the heating unit 60B can be easily attached and detached.

As shown in FIG. 4, the heating units 60A and 60B may include heat insulating materials 63A and 63B covering the heat transfer member 61A and the thermometer 62A, and the heat transfer member 61B and the thermometer 62B. The heat insulating materials 63A and 63B can be used after being molded into sheets. By covering the heat transfer member 61A and the thermometer 62A, and the heat transfer member 61B and the thermometer 62B with heat insulating materials 63A and 63B, the heat generated in the heating portions 60A and 60B can be suppressed from radiating to the outside. Therefore, the heating efficiency of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B is enhanced.

As the heat insulating materials 63A and 63B, general heat insulating materials such as inorganic fibers, organic fibers and resin foams can be used. The inorganic fiber can be a composite material containing an inorganic fiber material such as glass fiber, ceramic fiber, silica fiber, etc., and an inorganic binder such as colloidal silica, alumina sol, sodium silicate, etc., if necessary. Aramid, polyamide, polyimide and the like can be used as organic fibers. A silicone resin, a fluorine resin, or the like can be used as the resin foam. The thickness of the heat insulating materials 63A and 63B is not particularly limited as long as they cover the heat transfer member 61A and the thermometer 62A, and the heat transfer member 61B and the thermometer 62B.

The thermo-hygrometer 70 is provided in the space A inside the raw material powder storage section 20 . The thermo-hygrometer 70 is not particularly limited, and any measuring instrument that can measure the temperature and humidity in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be used. The thermo-hygrometer 70 is connected to the control unit 90 to send the measurement results.

The pressure gauge 80 is not particularly limited, and any pressure gauge that can measure the pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 can be used. The pressure gauge 80 is connected to the control unit 90 to send the measurement results. The dry gas CA is supplied from the storage unit 11 into the raw material powder storage unit 20, and the air pressure inside the raw material powder storage unit 20 is maintained at a positive pressure. When the raw material powder P drops from the raw material powder storage unit 20 into the first supply passage 40A and moves, the dry air CA in the raw material powder storage unit 20 is also discharged to the outside, and the air pressure in the raw material powder storage unit 20 becomes negative. It can be pressure. When the air pressure in the raw material powder storage section 20 becomes negative pressure, a force is applied from the measuring section 30 to push back the raw material powder P toward the raw material powder storage section 20 side, and the raw material powder P flows from the first supply passage 40A to the measuring section 30. It may become difficult to supply smoothly. The pressure in the raw material powder storage unit 20 is measured by the pressure gauge 80, and the supply amount of the dry gas CA and the raw material powder P from the storage unit 11 are adjusted so that the air pressure in the raw material powder storage unit 20 becomes positive. By adjusting the supply amount, the movement speed of the raw material powder P in the first supply path 40A, and the like, the raw material powder P can be smoothly supplied from the raw material powder storage unit 20 through the first supply path 40A to the weighing unit 30. keep the status.

The control unit 90 communicates with each member constituting the raw material powder supply apparatus 1, such as the weighing device 32, the dry gas introduction unit 50, the heat transfer members 61A and 61B, the thermo-hygrometer 70, and the pressure gauge 80, by any method. connected as possible. The controller 90 is connected to the heat transfer members 61A and 61B so as to be able to control the heat transfer members 61A and 61B. The control unit 90 has storage means for storing control programs and various types of storage information, and calculation means for operating based on the control programs. The control unit 90 is realized by reading out and executing a control program or the like stored in the storage means by the calculation means.

In this embodiment, when the raw material powder P is a raw material for molten glass, the raw material for molten glass is composed of molten glass. The composition of molten glass is not particularly limited. The molten glass may be any of soda-lime glass, alkali-free glass, mixed alkali glass, borosilicate glass and other glasses.

In the case where the molten glass is soda-lime glass used for plate glass for buildings or vehicles, etc., the molten glass contains SiO ₂ : 65 to 75% and Al ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 3 in percentage by mass based on oxides. %, CaO: 5-15%, MgO: 0-15%, Na ₂ O: 10-20%, K ₂ O: 0-3%, Li ₂ O: 0-5%, Fe ₂ O ₃ : 0- 3%, TiO ₂ : 0-5%, CeO ₂ : 0-3%, BaO: 0-5%, SrO: 0-5%, B ₂ O ₃ : 0-5%, ZnO: 0-5%, It is preferable to have a composition of ZrO ₂ : 0-5%, SnO ₂ : 0-3%, SO ₃ : 0-0.5%.

When the molten glass is non-alkali glass used for substrates such as liquid crystal displays, the molten glass contains SiO ₂ : 39 to 75%, Al ₂ O ₃ : 3 to 27%, B It preferably has a composition of ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 20%, MgO: 0 to 13%, CaO: 0 to 17%, SrO: 0 to 20%, and BaO: 0 to 30%.

When the molten glass is mixed alkali glass used for substrates of plasma displays and the like, the molten glass contains SiO ₂ : 50 to 75%, Al ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 15%, and It is preferable to have a composition of MgO+CaO+SrO+BaO+ZnO: 6-24% and Na ₂ O+K ₂ O: 6-24%.

When the molten glass is borosilicate glass used for heat-resistant containers or instruments for physics and chemistry, etc., the molten glass contains SiO ₂ : 60 to 85% and Al ₂ O ₃ : 0 to 5% in terms of percentage by mass based on oxides. , B ₂ O ₃ : 5-20%, and Na ₂ O+K ₂ O: 2-10%.

Thus, the raw material powder supply device 1 includes the heating units 60 on the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. As a result, the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 heats the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B with the heating unit 60 to increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the air in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, Relative humidity can be low. Therefore, the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 prevents the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air while the raw material powder P passes through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Moisture absorption can be reduced.

Among the members constituting the raw material powder supply device 1, such as the raw material powder storage unit 20, the weighing unit 30, the first supply passage 40A, and the second supply passage 40B, the raw material powder absorbs moisture in each member through which the raw material powder P passes. Then, the raw material powder P absorbs moisture and adheres to solid matter, which may cause an abnormality in the supply of the raw material powder P to the outside. For example, in the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, etc., the conveying screw 411A of the first powder supply section 41A and the second powder supply section 41B cannot be driven or sufficiently driven to rotate, and the raw material powder P It may not be possible to move. Since the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P, it is possible to stably supply the raw material powder P to the outside in a preset amount.

The raw material powder supply device 1 includes a raw material powder introduction section 10 and a dry gas introduction section 50 , and the dry gas introduction section 50 can be connected to the raw material powder introduction section 10 . The raw material powder supply device 1 introduces the dry gas CA into the raw material powder storage unit 20 from the storage unit 11 of the raw material powder input unit 10 and supplies the dry gas CA into the raw material powder storage unit 20. Mixed with existing air. By reducing the concentration of the air in the raw material powder storage unit 20 and increasing the concentration of the dry gas, the humidity of the air in the raw material powder storage unit 20 is lowered. contact with moisture inside can be reduced. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can further reduce moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20 .

The raw material powder supply device 1 can use dry air, nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or the like as the dry gas. Since these airs or gases do not contain moisture and have low humidity, these airs or gases are used as dry gases and mixed with the air in the raw material powder storage section 20 to obtain the air in the raw material powder storage section 20. concentration can be more reliably lowered. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reliably prevent the raw material powder P from coming into contact with the moisture in the air in the raw material powder storage unit 20, so that the raw material powder P absorbs moisture in the raw material powder storage unit 20. can be more reliably reduced.

In the raw material powder supply device 1 , the raw material powder input section 10 can include a storage section 11 , a lid section 12 , a damper 13 and a gas introduction hole 14 . As a result, the raw material powder supply device 1 can easily maintain the airtight state of the space inside the raw material powder input section 10 . Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can prevent the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder introduction unit 10 from coming into contact with moisture in the air at the stage of moving from the raw material powder introduction unit 10 to the raw material powder storage unit 20. Moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be further stably reduced. Further, by closing the damper 13, the raw material powder supply device 1 can store the raw material powder P while keeping the space in the storage unit 11 in a sealed state. Furthermore, a predetermined amount of raw material powder P can be dropped into the raw material powder storage unit 20 at an arbitrary timing for use. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can prevent the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder introduction unit 10 from coming into contact with the outside air during storage and use of the raw material powder P introduced into the raw material powder introduction unit 10. Moisture absorption of the raw material powder P during storage in the raw material powder input section 10 can be reduced.

The raw material powder supply device 1 can set the relative humidity in the raw material powder storage unit 20 to 30% or less. As a result, the raw material powder supply device 1 prevents the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air even when the raw material powder P is put into the raw material powder storage unit 20 . Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can more stably reduce the occurrence of moisture absorption of the raw material powder P in the raw material powder storage section 20 .

In the raw material powder supply device 1, the heating section 60 can be provided with a ribbon heater as a heat transfer member. The ribbon heater is wound around the outer peripheries of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can be easily attached while maintaining the state in which the ribbon heater is in contact with the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, and the length thereof can be easily adjusted. Thereby, the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 can reliably heat the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B in the axial direction within a predetermined range. Therefore, the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 can appropriately lower the relative humidity in the air by increasing the amount of saturated water vapor in the air passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. Therefore, the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 can prevent the raw material powder P from absorbing moisture in the air while the raw material powder P passes through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. To effectively suppress the occurrence of moisture absorption.

The raw material powder supply device 1 can cover the heating unit 60 with a heat insulating material 61 . As a result, the raw material powder supply device 1 reduces the heat leakage of the heating unit 60 to the outside, and the state where the heating unit 60 is fixed in contact with the outer circumferences of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B is maintained. can be maintained. Therefore, since the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 can increase the heating efficiency of the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B, the relative humidity in the air can be reliably reduced. Therefore, since the raw material powder supply apparatus 1 can more reliably suppress the raw material powder P passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B from absorbing moisture in the air, the moisture absorption of the raw material powder P can be further suppressed. It can be stably reduced.

The raw material powder supply device 1 can use a molten glass raw material as the raw material powder P. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the raw material powder supply device 1 can reduce the moisture absorption of the molten glass raw material during glass production, so that glass products can be produced stably.

<Method of supplying raw material powder>
A raw material powder supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The raw material powder supply method according to this embodiment is performed using the raw material powder supply device 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the raw material powder supply method according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the raw material powder supply method according to the present embodiment, the lid portion 12 is opened, the raw material powder P is put into the storage portion 11 with the damper 13 closed, and the damper in the storage portion 11 is 13 (raw material powder storage step: step S11).

Next, the damper 13 is opened to drop the raw material powder P stored in the storage unit 11 downward by its own weight, depositing it on the first supply path 40A at the position of the upper opening 401A. It is stored in the supply path 40A and the raw material powder storage unit 20 (raw material powder storage step: step S12).

Next, the feed screw 411A moves the raw material powder P from the raw material powder storage unit 20 to the weighing unit 30 through the first supply path 40A (first supply step: step S13). At this time, the first supply path 40A is heated by the heating unit 60A to heat the air in the first supply path 40A and increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the air, thereby lowering the relative humidity in the air. Reaction of the powder P with moisture in the air is suppressed.

Next, the raw material powder P supplied from the raw material powder storage unit 20 is weighed by the weighing unit 30 (weighing step: step S13).

Next, the feed screw 411B moves the raw material powder P from the weighing unit 30 to the outside through the second supply path 40B (second supply step: step S14). At this time, the second supply path 40B is heated by the heating unit 60B to increase the saturated water vapor pressure of the air in the second supply path 40B, thereby suppressing the reaction of the raw material powder P with moisture in the air.

In the raw material powder supply method according to the present embodiment, the heating unit 60 heats the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B in the first supply step (step S13) and the second supply step (step S15). The saturated water vapor pressure of the dry air CA passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B can be increased to lower the relative humidity. As a result, in the raw material powder supply method according to the present embodiment, the raw material powder P can be prevented from absorbing moisture in the air while passing through the first supply path 40A and the second supply path 40B. reduce moisture absorption.

<Raw material powder blender>
A raw material powder blending apparatus equipped with a raw material powder supply device according to the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a raw material powder blending apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the raw material powder blending device 100 includes a plurality of raw powder feeders 1-1 . 1-N (N is an integer of 1 or more) in FIGS. 6 and 7 indicate the raw material powder supply device 1 shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 shows it simply.
Mixing section 110.

As shown in FIG. 7, raw material powder supply devices 1-1 . 1-N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) are provided with heating units 60B-1 . . . 60B-N in the respective second supply paths 40B-1 . , and the heating units 60B-1 . . . 60B-N each include heat transfer members 61B-1 . . . , 1-N are the above-described raw material powder supply device 1, and therefore the details thereof are omitted. In raw material powder supply devices 1-1, . and Figure 2) need not be used.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the preparation unit 110 is connected to the second supply paths 40B-1 . . . 40B-N of the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 . A plurality of raw material powders P supplied by the raw material powder supply apparatuses 1-1 .

The blending unit 110 may be any device that can mix and synthesize a plurality of raw material powders P at an arbitrary blending ratio. may be provided with a drive unit 113 that drives to rotate the .

The raw material powder blending apparatus 100 may store the blended powder P1 in the blending tank 111, or may store it in an external blended powder storage tank (not shown) or the like.

In the present embodiment, any one of the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 . .

The raw material powder blending apparatus 100 includes the blending section 110, so that the plurality of raw material powders P discharged from the plurality of raw material powder supply devices 1 can be blended by mixing them in an arbitrary ratio. Moisture absorption of the raw material powder P is suppressed in the plurality of raw material powder supply apparatuses 1 , so fluctuation in the amount of the raw material powder P discharged from each raw material powder supply apparatus 1 is suppressed. Therefore, since the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 can appropriately supply an arbitrary amount of raw material powder P from each raw material powder supply device 1 to the blending unit 110, the blending unit 110 can supply a plurality of raw material powders P at an arbitrary ratio. A prepared powder P1 containing Therefore, the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 can produce the blended powder P1 with excellent quality.

<Raw material powder preparation method>
A raw material powder preparation method including a raw material powder supply method according to the present embodiment will be described. The raw material powder blending method according to this embodiment is performed using the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in the raw material powder preparation method, a plurality of raw material powders are supplied from the raw material powder supply devices 1-1 . Each raw material powder supply step (step S21) is the same as the raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment described above, except that the type of raw material powder P is changed, so details will be omitted.

Next, a plurality of raw material powders P are mixed and blended in the blending section 110 (blending step: step S22).

Next, by blending the plurality of raw material powders at arbitrary mixing ratios in the blending unit 110, a blended powder P1 containing the plurality of raw material powders at arbitrary ratios is obtained.

In the raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment, in the preparation step (step S22), the plurality of raw material powders P discharged from the plurality of raw material powder supply devices 1 in the plurality of raw material powder supply steps (step S21) are mixed. Can be compounded. Since the raw material powder P is supplied while suppressing moisture absorption in the plurality of raw material powder supply steps (step S21), variation in the amount of the raw material powder P discharged from each raw material powder supply device 1 is suppressed. Therefore, in the raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment, in the preparation step (step S22), an arbitrary amount of raw material powder P can be appropriately supplied to the preparation unit 110 from each raw material powder supply device 1, so that a plurality of raw materials can be prepared. A blended powder P1 containing powders P in arbitrary proportions can be produced. Therefore, the raw material powder blending method according to the present embodiment can produce the blended powder P1 with excellent quality.

<Glass Product Manufacturing Equipment>
A glass product manufacturing apparatus equipped with a raw material powder blending apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In addition, the case where the mixed powder containing raw material powder is glass raw material powder is demonstrated.

9 is a diagram showing an example of a glass product manufacturing apparatus, which is a plan view of FIG. 10. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 includes a raw material powder blending apparatus 100 , a melting section 210 and a forming section 220 . The raw material powder blending apparatus 100 is the same as the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and thus details thereof are omitted. 1-N (where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1) in FIGS. Similar to FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are simply shown.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the melting section 210 melts the blended powder P1 obtained by the raw material powder blender 100 to produce molten glass (glass melt) G1. Melting section 210 may be a typical glass melting apparatus and includes a melting vessel 211 and burners 212 .

The dissolving tank 211 is made of a heat-resistant material such as refractory bricks and has a hollow structure. The mixed powder P1 is conveyed inside the dissolving tank 211 .

The dissolving tank 211 has a raw material inlet 211A and a raw material outlet 211B on its side surface.

The prepared powder P1 introduced into the melting tank 211 through the raw material inlet 211A is heated by the heat of the flame of the burner 212 and gradually melts into the molten glass G1 accommodated in the melting tank 211 . The molten glass G1 is discharged from the raw material discharge port 211B and moves to the shaping section 220 .

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the shaping section 220 shapes the molten glass G1 produced in the melting section 210 into a plate shape. The molding section 300 may be a general device, such as a float molding device, a fusion molding device, or the like. The float forming apparatus continuously supplies the molten glass G1 to the surface of the molten tin in the bath to form the molten glass G1 into a strip shape. The fusion molding device continuously supplies the molten glass G1 into the inside of the gutter having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the molten glass G1 overflowing from the gutter to both the left and right sides is joined at the lower edge of the gutter to form a strip. to mold.

The molded glass molded in the molding unit 300 is slowly cooled and then cut into a predetermined size to be a glass product such as a glass plate.

The glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 is provided with a melting section 210 and a molding section 220, so that glass products can be manufactured using the blended powder P1 obtained by the raw material powder blending apparatus 100. FIG. Since the raw material powder blending apparatus 100 can manufacture the blended powder P1 containing a plurality of raw material powders P in an arbitrary ratio, the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 uses the blended powder P1 in the melting section 210 and the molding section 220. , can produce high quality glass products.

<Glass product manufacturing method>
A glass product manufacturing method including a raw material powder preparation method according to the present embodiment will be described. The glass product manufacturing method according to this embodiment is performed using the glass product manufacturing apparatus 200 according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the glass product manufacturing method according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, in the glass product manufacturing method, a plurality of raw material powders are blended (blending step: step S31). Since the blending step (step S31) uses the raw material powder blending method according to the present embodiment, details thereof are omitted.

Next, the mixed powder obtained in the raw material powder mixing step (step S31) is fed into the melting tank 211 from the raw material inlet 211A to obtain molten glass G1 (melting step: step S32).

Next, the molten glass obtained in the melting step (step S32) is discharged from the raw material discharge port 211B of the melting tank 211 and conveyed to the molding section 220, where it is molded into a desired predetermined shape (molding). Process: step S33).

Next, the compact after molding is slowly cooled (slow cooling step: step S34) and cut into a predetermined length (cutting step: step S35).

Thereby, a glass product having a target size is manufactured.

The glass product manufacturing method according to the present embodiment can manufacture glass products using the blended powder P1 obtained in the blending step (step S31) in the melting step (step S32) and the molding step (step S22). In the compounding step (step S31), the compounded powder P1 containing a plurality of raw material powders P can be produced in an arbitrary ratio. In S22), by using the prepared powder P1, glass products with excellent quality can be manufactured.

As described above, the embodiment has been described, but the above embodiment is presented as an example, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiment. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various combinations, omissions, replacements, changes, etc. can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1, 1-N Raw material powder supply device 10 Raw material powder input unit 11 Storage unit 12 Lid unit 13 Damper 14 Gas introduction hole 20 Raw material powder storage unit 30 Measuring unit 40A First supply channel 40B Second supply channel 50 Dry gas introduction unit 51 Gas supply unit 52 Gas introduction pipe 60 Heating unit 100 Raw material powder blending device 110 Blending unit 200 Glass product manufacturing device 210 Melting unit 220 Molding unit

Claims (13)

a raw material powder storage section for storing raw material powder having hygroscopicity;
a weighing unit for weighing the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage unit;
a first supply path that connects the raw material powder storage unit and the weighing unit and moves the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage unit to the weighing unit;
a second supply path that is connected to the weighing unit and moves the raw material powder from the weighing unit to the outside;
A raw material powder supply device comprising a heating section in at least one of the first supply path and the second supply path. a raw material powder input unit for inputting the raw material powder into the raw material powder storage unit;
2. The raw material powder supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a dry gas introduction section connected to the raw material powder storage section or the raw material powder input section and introducing a dry gas into the raw material powder storage section. 3. The raw material powder feeder according to claim 2, wherein the dry gas includes at least one of dry air, nitrogen gas and oxygen gas. The raw material powder input unit is
a storage unit formed in a cylindrical shape for storing the raw material powder;
a lid portion that closes the opening at the upper end of the storage portion;
a damper provided in the storage unit for adjusting the falling amount of the raw material powder;
a gas introduction hole provided on a side surface of the storage unit for supplying a dry gas to the inside of the storage unit;
The raw material powder supply device according to claim 2 or 3, comprising: The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relative humidity in the raw material powder storage unit is 30% or less. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the heating unit includes a ribbon heater. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a heat insulator covering the heating section. The raw material powder supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the raw material powder is a raw material for molten glass. a plurality of raw material powder supply units for supplying raw material powder;
a blending unit that mixes and blends the plurality of raw material powders supplied from the plurality of raw material powder supply units to obtain a blended powder;
with
A raw material powder blending apparatus, wherein at least one of the plurality of raw material powder supply units is the raw material powder supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A raw material powder blending apparatus according to claim 9;
a melting section that melts the blended powder obtained by the raw material powder blender to produce molten glass;
and a molding unit for molding the molten glass to obtain a glass product. a raw material powder storage step of storing a hygroscopic raw material powder in a raw material powder storage unit;
a weighing step of weighing the raw material powder supplied from the raw material powder storage unit with a weighing unit;
a first supply step of moving the raw material powder from the raw material powder storage unit to the weighing unit through a first supply path connecting the raw material powder storage unit and the weighing unit;
a second supply step of moving the raw material powder from the weighing unit to the outside through a second supply channel connected to the weighing unit;
A raw material powder supply method, wherein the raw material powder is heated by a heating unit in at least one of the first supply path and the second supply path. a plurality of raw material powder supply steps for supplying a plurality of raw material powders from a plurality of raw material powder supply units;
a blending step of mixing and blending the plurality of raw material powders supplied from the plurality of raw material powder supply units in a blending unit to obtain a blended powder;
including
A raw material powder preparation method using the raw material powder supply method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of raw material powder supply steps uses the raw material powder supply method. A melting step of melting the blended powder obtained by using the raw material powder blending method according to claim 12 to prepare molten glass;
A method for producing a glass product, comprising a forming step of forming the molten glass to obtain a glass product.

Images