KR20120031932A - Vacuum degassing device for molten glass, and method for producing molten glass using same - Google Patents

Abstract

A pressure reduction defoaming apparatus which can remove the aggregate formed of the gas component from the molten glass attached to the window part formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing, and the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing surrounding it, without stopping operation.
At least one tank opening part is formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction degassing tank, At least one window part is formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction housing at the position which corresponds to the position of the said horizontal direction of the said tank opening part, The said window part, A housing opening formed in the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing, and a transparent window fitted into the housing opening, the transparent window having a window opening, the window opening being closed by a stopper made of heat resistant rubber, and made of heat resistant rubber The stopper has a hole which is oriented in the same direction as the window opening, and a foreign matter removing means made of a metal rod-shaped member is inserted into the hole.

Description

Vacuum degassing apparatus of molten glass, and molten glass manufacturing method using the same {VACUUM DEGASSING DEVICE FOR MOLTEN GLASS, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING MOLTEN GLASS USING SAME}

This invention relates to the vacuum degassing apparatus of the molten glass which removes a bubble from the molten glass continuously supplied, and the clarification method of the molten glass using the same.

Conventionally, in order to improve the quality of the molded glass product, the clarification process which removes the bubble which generate | occur | produced in the molten glass is formed before shape | molding the molten glass which melt | dissolved the raw material in the melting furnace with the shaping | molding apparatus.

In this clarification process, a molten glass is introduce | transduced in a reduced pressure atmosphere, the bubble in the continuously molten glass flows largely growing in this reduced pressure atmosphere, the bubble contained in a molten glass is floated, and a bubble is blown off and removed from the molten glass surface. And the vacuum degassing | defoaming method discharged | emitted from a pressure reduction atmosphere after that is known (refer patent document 1).

The general structure of the conventional pressure reduction defoaming apparatus used when implementing a pressure reduction defoaming method was shown in FIG.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, the cylindrical pressure reduction degassing tank 120 is arrange | positioned in the pressure reduction housing 110 so that the long axis may orientate in a horizontal direction. The rising pipe 130 which is oriented in the vertical direction is attached to the lower surface of the upstream side of the pressure reduction degassing tank 120, and the falling pipe 140 is attached to the lower surface of the downstream side. In addition, the upstream and downstream of the pressure reduction degassing tank 120 mean the upstream and downstream side in the flow direction of the molten glass G which flows through the pressure reduction degassing tank 120. As shown in FIG. A part of the uprising pipe 130 and the downfalling pipe 140 is located in the pressure reduction housing 110.

 The riser 130 communicates with the vacuum degassing tank 120 and is an introduction means for introducing the molten glass G from the dissolution tank 300 into the vacuum degassing tank 120. For this reason, the lower end part of the riser 130 is inserted in the opening end of the upstream pit 320, and is immersed in the molten glass G in this upstream pit 320. As shown in FIG.

The downcomer 140 communicates with the vacuum degassing tank 120, and the derivation means which lowers the molten glass G after vacuum degassing from the vacuum degassing tank 120 to lead to a treatment tank (not shown) of a later step. to be. For this reason, the lower end part of the downcomer 140 is inserted in the opening end of the downstream pit 340, and is immersed in the molten glass G in this downstream pit 340. As shown in FIG.

In the pressure reduction housing 110, the heat insulating material 150, such as a heat insulation brick which heat-insulates these, is arrange | positioned and formed in the circumference | surroundings of the pressure reduction degassing tank 120, the rising pipe 130, and the downfalling pipe 140.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 110 carries out vacuum suction by a vacuum pump (not shown) etc., and the suction for maintaining the inside of the pressure reduction housing 110 in a reduced pressure state is shown. The opening 200 is formed.

In the ceiling of the vacuum degassing tank 120 accommodated and arranged in the pressure reduction housing 110, the tank opening part 160a, 160b for maintaining the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 120 in a reduced pressure state is formed. The jaw opening part 160a is located above the riser tube 130, and the jaw opening part 160b is located above the descending pipe 140. As shown in FIG.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-130442

In the vacuum degassing apparatus, it is preferable that the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing is provided with the window part for observing the inside of a pressure reduction degassing tank, and monitoring. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a vacuum degassing apparatus in which a window portion is formed.

In the pressure reduction degassing apparatus 100 'shown in FIG. 5, window parts 170a and 170b for monitoring the inside of the pressure reduction defoaming tank 120 are formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 110. As shown in FIG.

The window parts 170a and 170b are formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 110 above the tank opening part 160a, 160b, and include the housing opening parts 180a and 180b formed in the ceiling part of this pressure reduction housing 110. As shown in FIG. Transparent windows 190a and 190b are fitted into the housing openings 180a and 180b formed in the ceiling of the pressure reduction housing 110 so that the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 120 can be observed through the tank openings 160a and 160b. Put in. In addition, the window portions 170a and 170b include a structure including housing openings 180a and 180b formed in the ceiling of the decompression housing 110 and transparent windows 190a and 190b fitted into the housing openings 180a and 180b. Point to.

When performing pressure reduction defoaming using the vacuum degassing apparatus 100 'shown in FIG. 5, a gas component (henceforth "a gas component from a molten glass") generate | occur | produces by bubbles | bubble on the molten glass surface, but melting Gas components from the glass may adhere to the ceiling portions of the window portions 170a and 170b and the decompression housing 110 around them as aggregates. Moreover, the product by which the member of the window parts 170a and 170b and the surrounding pressure reduction housing 110 and the gas component from a molten glass react, and the aggregate of the product or the gas component from a molten glass were denatured by heat. The product may be attached to the ceiling of the pressure reducing housing 110.

Hereinafter, in the present specification, when the aggregates are attached to the ceiling portions of the window portions 170a, 170b, 17a, and 17b or the pressure-sensitive housings 110 and 11 around them, the aggregates of the gas components from the molten glass are formed by the window portions 170a, In addition to being attached to the ceiling of the decompression housing 110 in the vicinity of 170b, 17a, 17b), the reaction product or the product by thermal denaturation may be formed in the window 170a, 170b, 17a, 17b or in the vicinity of the decompression housing ( 110, 11).

When such agglomerates adhere to the window portions 170a and 170b, in particular, the windows 190a and 190b, it becomes difficult to monitor the pressure reduction degassing tank 120 inside.

Moreover, when the aggregate adhered to the ceiling part of the window part 170a, 170b or the surrounding pressure reduction housing 110 falls in the pressure reduction degassing tank 120, and mixes with the molten glass which distributes the pressure reduction degassing tank 120, It becomes foreign matter of molten glass.

For this reason, it is necessary to periodically remove the agglomerates adhering to the ceiling portions of the window portions 170a and 170b and the decompression housing 110 in the vicinity thereof. This operation needs to be performed by stopping the operation of the pressure reduction degassing apparatus. In view of this, the productivity and the yield of the glass product are reduced.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to solve said problem, this invention makes the aggregate of the gas component from the window part formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing, and the molten glass adhering to the ceiling part of the decompression housing around it, without stopping operation of a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus. It is an object to provide a vacuum degassing apparatus that can be removed.

MEANS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM In order to achieve the said objective, this invention is formed in communication with the pressure reduction degassing tank which is formed in the pressure reduction housing | suction which suctions under reduced pressure, the pressure reduction defoaming tank which performs pressure reduction defoaming of molten glass, and the said pressure reduction defoaming tank, As a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass which has the introduction means which introduce | transduces the previous molten glass into the said vacuum degassing tank, and is formed in communication with the said vacuum degassing tank, and the derivation means which leads the molten glass after pressure reduction degassing from the said vacuum degassing tank,

At least one tank opening part is formed in the ceiling part of the said vacuum degassing tank,

At least one window part is formed in the ceiling part of the said pressure reduction housing for pairing with the said tank opening part, and monitoring the inside of the said pressure reduction degassing tank,

The window portion is composed of a housing opening formed in the ceiling of the decompression housing, and a transparent window fitted into the housing opening,

The transparent window has a window opening, the window opening is closed by a heat-resistant rubber stopper, the heat-resistant rubber stopper has a hole oriented in the same direction as the window opening, and a metal rod shape in the hole. The foreign matter removal means which consists of members is inserted, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass is provided.

In addition, pairing with the said tank opening part means that the horizontal position of the said tank opening part corresponds to the horizontal direction position of the said window part. In this case, the horizontal position of the said tank opening part and the horizontal position of the said window part do not correspond, and the case where the inside of the said pressure reduction degassing tank is monitored from the inclined direction is included. Even when monitoring from the inclined direction, the inside of the said vacuum degassing tank can be observed.

Moreover, this invention is formed in the pressure reduction degassing | defoaming housing which pressure-reduced pressure reduction suction, the pressure reduction degassing tank which is formed in the said pressure reduction housing, and performs the pressure reduction defoaming of molten glass, and the said pressure reduction defoaming tank, The said molten glass before pressure reduction defoaming said As a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass which has the introduction means introduce | transduced into a pressure reduction degassing tank, and is formed in communication with the said pressure reduction degassing tank, and the extraction means which derives the molten glass after pressure reduction defoaming from the said pressure reduction defoaming tank,

At least one tank opening part is formed in the ceiling part of the said vacuum degassing tank,

At least one window part is formed in the ceiling part of the said pressure reduction housing at the position which matches the position of the said tank opening in the horizontal direction,

The window portion is composed of a housing opening formed in the ceiling of the decompression housing, and a transparent window fitted into the housing opening,

The transparent window has a window opening, the window opening is closed by a heat resistant rubber stopper, the heat resistant rubber stopper has a hole oriented in the same direction as the window opening, and the hole is made of a metal rod. The foreign matter removal means which consists of a shape member is inserted, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass is provided.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus of the molten glass of this invention, it is preferable that the foreign material collection means is formed in the edge part of the side which exists in the said pressure reduction housing of the said foreign material removal means.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus of the molten glass of this invention, it is preferable that the transparent window which has the said window opening part is removable in the state which kept the inside of the said pressure reduction housing in a reduced pressure state.

Moreover, it is preferable that the said heat resistant rubber stopper consists of at least 1 sort (s) chosen from the group of silicone rubber and fluororubber.

Moreover, this invention provides the vacuum degassing method of the molten glass using the said vacuum degassing apparatus.

Moreover, this invention is a method of degassing a molten glass using the above-mentioned pressure reduction degassing apparatus, At least any one of following (1) and (2) is provided, The pressure reduction defoaming method of the molten glass characterized by the above-mentioned. do.

 (1) Process of removing the aggregate attached to the said window part or its peripheral part using the said foreign matter removal means.

 (2) A step of removing the aggregate attached to the window portion or the peripheral portion thereof by using the foreign matter removing means, and collecting the removed aggregate by the foreign matter collecting means.

Moreover, this invention provides the molten glass manufacturing method using the above-mentioned pressure reduction defoaming method.

Moreover, this invention is a pressure reduction degassing | defoaming process by the above-mentioned pressure reduction defoaming method, a raw material melting process as a previous process of the pressure reduction defoaming process, a shaping | molding process as a post process of the pressure reduction defoaming process, and a post-process of the shaping process A method for producing a glass article having a slow cooling process is provided.

In the pressure reduction degassing apparatus of this invention, in order to remove the aggregate formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing and the ceiling of the pressure reduction housing of the periphery, it is not necessary to stop operation | movement of a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus, and productivity and the yield of glassware This is improved.

Moreover, when using a foreign material removal means in which foreign matter collection means is formed, when the aggregate is removed from the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing around the window portion, the removed aggregate is mixed into the molten glass flowing through the vacuum degassing tank, and the foreign matter of the molten glass. This can be prevented, and the quality of the glass product manufactured is excellent.

1: is sectional drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of the vacuum degassing apparatus of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the vicinity of the window portion 17a of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a window that can be attached and detached in a state in which the inside of the pressure reduction housing is maintained in a reduced pressure state.
4 is a cross-sectional view showing one configuration example of a vacuum degassing apparatus of a conventional example.
5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a vacuum degassing apparatus in which a window portion of a conventional example is formed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1: is sectional drawing which shows the example of 1 structure of the vacuum degassing apparatus of this invention. In the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is arrange | positioned in the pressure reduction housing 11 so that the long axis may orientate in a horizontal direction. A rising pipe 13 oriented in the vertical direction is attached to the lower surface on the upstream side of the vacuum degassing vessel 12, and a downcoming tube 14 is attached to the lower surface on the downstream side. In addition, the upstream and downstream of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 mean the upstream and downstream side in the flow direction of the molten glass G which flows through the pressure reduction degassing tank 12. As shown in FIG. A part of the rising pipe 13 and the falling pipe 14 is located in the pressure reduction housing 11.

As shown in FIG. 1, the riser 13 communicates with the reduced pressure degassing tank 12, and is an introduction means for introducing the molten glass G from the dissolution tank 300 into the reduced pressure degassing tank 12. For this reason, the lower end part of the riser 13 is inserted in the opening end of the upstream pit 320, and is immersed in the molten glass G in this upstream pit 320. As shown in FIG.

The downcomer 14 communicates with the vacuum degassing tank 12, and the derivation means which lowers the molten glass G after vacuum degassing from the vacuum degassing tank 12 and leads it to the processing tank (not shown) of a post process. to be. For this reason, the lower end part of the downcomer 14 is inserted in the opening end of the downstream pit 340, and is immersed in the molten glass G in this downstream pit 340. As shown in FIG.

In the pressure reduction housing 11, the heat insulating material 15, such as a heat insulation brick which heat-insulates these, is arrange | positioned and formed around the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, the uprising pipe 13, and the downfalling pipe 14.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 carries out vacuum suction by a vacuum pump (not shown) etc., and the suction for maintaining the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 in a reduced pressure state is shown. The opening 20 is formed.

In the ceiling part of the vacuum degassing tank 12 accommodated and arranged in the pressure reduction housing 11, the tank opening part 16a, 16b for maintaining the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 in a reduced pressure state is formed. The tank openings 16a and 16b are also openings for monitoring the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, the tank opening part 16a is located above the riser tube 13, and the tank opening part 16b is located above the descending tube 14. As shown in FIG.

However, in the vacuum degassing apparatus of this invention, at least 1 tank opening should just be formed in the ceiling part of a vacuum degassing tank, and the number of the tank openings formed in the ceiling part of a vacuum degassing tank, and the position of a tank opening are FIG. It is not limited to the aspect shown to.

Therefore, what formed only one of the tank opening part 16a, 16b may be sufficient. Instead of the tank openings 16a and 16b, one of the bath openings may be formed in a portion other than these (for example, an intermediate portion of the vacuum degassing tank 12).

Moreover, in addition to the tank opening part 16a, 16b, the 3rd tank opening part (or 4th, 5th tank opening part) is used for the site | parts other than the tank opening part 16a, 16b (for example, of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12). Intermediate portion).

However, in the vacuum degassing tank 12, the communication part of the riser 13 in which the molten glass G from the dissolution tank 200 is introduce | transduced, and the vacuum degassing tank 12, and the molten glass G after vacuum degassing | defoaming are carried out. The communicating part of the downcomer 14 and the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 guide | induced to the processing tank of a post process is especially for confirming the molten glass state in the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, more specifically, the molten glass surface. It is important. Therefore, for the purpose of monitoring by observation both upstream and downstream of the vacuum degassing tank 12, the tank openings formed in the ceiling part of the vacuum degassing tank 12 are the tank openings 16a, 16b shown in FIG. As described above, it is preferable to form at least above the rising pipe 13 and the falling pipe 14.

The shape of the tank opening part 16a, 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 does not have a problem in monitoring the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, and does not lead to the fall of the strength of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12. The shape is not particularly limited, and various shapes such as circular, elliptical, and rectangular can be selected.

The dimensions of the tank openings 16a and 16b formed in the ceiling of the vacuum degassing tank 12 also have no problem in monitoring the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12, and do not lead to a decrease in strength of the vacuum degassing tank 12. It is not particularly limited. When viewed as a circle diameter or outer diameter of a polygon, for example, 30? 400 mm, More preferably, it is 40? 350 mm, More preferably, it is 50? 300 mm.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 of this invention, the window part 17a, 17b for monitoring the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11. It is preferable that the position of the window parts 17a and 17b correspond with the horizontal position of the tank opening part 16a, 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12. As shown in FIG.

The window portions 17a and 17b are composed of housing openings 18a and 18b formed in the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing 11 and transparent windows 19a and 19b sandwiched between the openings 18a and 18b. In addition, it is preferable that the transparent windows 19a and 19b sandwiched in the opening part 18a, 18b have heat resistance, pressure resistance, acid resistance, etc. As a material which satisfy | fills these, quartz glass, sapphire glass, transparent crystallized glass, etc. are mentioned, for example.

In the pressure reduction degassing apparatus of this invention, at least 1 window part should just be formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction degassing tank at the position corresponding to a horizontal opening in the tank opening part formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction degassing tank, and formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction degassing tank It is not necessary to form the jaws opening and the same number of windows in the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing. Therefore, any one of the window portions 17a and 17b may be formed.

However, considering that one of the purposes of forming the tank openings 16a and 16b in the ceiling of the vacuum degassing tank 12 is to monitor the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12, as shown in FIG. It is preferable to form the same number of window parts 17a, 17b in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 with respect to the tank opening part 16a, 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12. As shown in FIG.

In addition, in monitoring the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, the position of a window part does not necessarily need to correspond with the position of a substantially horizontal direction of a tank opening part, and the horizontal position of a tank opening part is a horizontal position of a window part. It may be a pair corresponding to the above, and the horizontal position of the two parts may be shifted so that the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank can be monitored from the inclined direction. However, the shorter distance from the jaw opening to the window portion shortens the optical path. Therefore, it is preferable that the position of the window coinciding with the position of the jaw opening substantially horizontally structurally.

The shape of the window parts 17a and 17b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11, More specifically, the shape of the housing openings 18a and 18b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 as the window parts 17a and 17b is There is no problem in monitoring the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12 by observation, and it is not particularly limited as long as it does not lead to a decrease in strength of the vacuum degassing tank 12, and various shapes such as circular, elliptical, and rectangular can be selected. Can be. However, the shape of the tank opening part 16a, 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 and the shape of the housing opening part 18a, 18b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 as window parts 17a, 17b match. Or the like is preferable for monitoring the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12.

Dimensions of the window portions 17a and 17b formed on the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing 11, and more specifically, dimensions of the housing openings 18a and 18b formed on the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing 11 as the window portions 17a and 17b. There is no problem in monitoring the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12 by observation, and it will not specifically limit, unless it leads to the fall of the strength of the vacuum degassing tank 12. However, the dimension of the tank opening part 16a, 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 and the dimension of the housing opening part 18a, 18b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 as window parts 17a, 17b are substantially the same. It is preferable to monitor the inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12.

Therefore, the dimensions of the housing openings 18a and 18b formed in the ceiling of the pressure reduction housing 11 as the window portions 17a and 17b are different from the dimensions of the jaw openings 16a and 16b formed in the ceiling of the vacuum degassing tank 12. It is preferable that it is the range described.

In addition, when removing the foreign matter adhering to the window portions 17a and 17b, the window portions 17a and 17b and the housing opening portion (in order to prevent foreign matter from falling into the openings 16a and 16b of the vacuum degassing tank 12). The dimension of 18a, 18b may be larger than the dimension of opening part 16a, 16b.

Moreover, when observing the molten glass state in the upper direction of the uprising pipe 13 and the downfalling pipe 14 of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 of this invention, and wants to monitor the state, it is as FIG. 1, 3 And the window portion 17a formed on the ceiling of the pressure reduction housing 11 and the jaw opening 16a formed on the ceiling of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, and the window portion 17b formed on the ceiling of the pressure reduction housing 11; It is preferable to set it as the structure which communicates longitudinally through the tubular body etc. so that the tank opening part 16b formed in the ceiling part of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 may be peeked and observed from the window parts 17a and 17b. In addition, when observing and monitoring the molten glass state which flows in the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 of the pressure reduction degassing apparatus 10 in the horizontal direction, and monitors it, in the place where it wants to observe, to the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 The tank opening part 16a may be formed in the ceiling part of the window part 17a and the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 of the vertical downward or inclined downward, and may be made the structure which communicates the window 17a and the tank opening part 16a.

The vacuum degassing apparatus 10 of this invention shown in FIG. 1 uses the foreign material removal means 24a, 24b for removing the aggregate which adheres to the window part 17a, 17b, and the ceiling part of the pressure reduction housing 11 in the vicinity. Have The foreign material removal means will be described with reference to FIG. 2, which is a partially enlarged view near the window portion 17a of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1. In addition, although the foreign matter removal means 24a is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2, the foreign material removal means 24b is also substantially the same structure.

In Fig. 2, the transparent window 19a has a window opening 21, and the window opening 21 is closed by a stopper 22 made of heat resistant rubber. As such a heat resistant rubber, at least one selected from the group of silicone rubber and fluorine rubber is particularly preferable. The stopper 22 made of heat resistant rubber has a hole 23 oriented in the same direction as the window opening 21, and the hole 23 is made of metal, for example, made of precious metals such as stainless steel, platinum, and aluminum. The foreign material removal means 24a which consists of rod-shaped members, such as copper and the like, is inserted. In addition, in FIG. 1, the stopper 22, the window opening 21, and the hole 23 are abbreviate | omitted. By setting it as such a structure, even when the following operation | movement is performed with respect to the foreign material removal means 24a, the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 is maintained in a reduced pressure state.

Since the foreign matter removing means 24a is inserted into the hole 23 formed in the stopper 22 made of heat resistant rubber, the foreign matter removing means 24a uses the elasticity of the stopper made of heat resistant rubber so as to move and tilt in the vertical direction. A pivot about the longitudinal axis of the removal means 24a is possible. In addition, compared with the vertical movement and the turning around the longitudinal axis, the movable range is restricted, but the lower end of the foreign matter removing means 24a can also be moved in the horizontal direction. Silicone rubber and fluororubber exemplified as the material of the stopper 22 are preferable because they have sufficient elasticity even at high temperatures and are excellent in heat resistance, chemical resistance, durability and gas sealing properties.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus of the present invention, at the lower end of the foreign matter removing means 24a, the foreign matter removing means 24a is moved in the vertical direction, the pivot about the longitudinal axis, and the horizontal direction of the lower end thereof. , The aggregate attached to the window portion 17a and the ceiling portion of the decompression housing in the vicinity thereof while scratching the window portion 17a and the ceiling of the decompression housing in the vicinity thereof while keeping the inside of the decompression housing 11 in the depressurized state. Can be removed. Since the foreign matter removing means 24a is inserted into the heat resistant rubber stopper 22 which closes the window opening 21 formed in the transparent window 19a, the above operation is performed while viewing the internal state from the window 19a. It can be carried out. In addition, what is necessary is just to perform the process of removing the said aggregate part adhered to the said window part or its periphery part using the said foreign substance removal means when the removal of an aggregate is needed in the pressure reduction defoaming of a molten glass.

Therefore, the aggregate adhering to the ceiling part 17a and the ceiling part of the decompression housing around it can be removed, without stopping operation of a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus.

In addition, by the foreign matter removal means 24a, aggregates adhered to other sites in the vacuum degassing apparatus 10, for example, aggregates adhered to the periphery of the tank openings 16a and 16b can also be removed.

Although the foreign material removal means 24a shown in FIG.2, 3 has shown the example in which the foreign matter collection means 25 mentioned later is formed in the front-end | tip, it does not need to be equipped with such a foreign material collection means 25, of course. . The tip of the foreign matter removing means not provided with the foreign matter collecting means 25 may be a structure suitable for removing foreign matter, may be simply a rod-shaped body, an enlarged tip, or the tip is curved or curved. The shape may be sufficient, and a suitable shape is employable.

As for the foreign material removal means 24a shown in FIG. 2, the foreign material collection means 25 is formed in the lower end. The foreign matter collecting means 25 is a curved portion or a bent portion similar in shape to the tip of the earpick formed at the lower end of the foreign matter removing means 24a, and downwardly removes the aggregates removed from the ceiling portion 17a and the ceiling of the decompression housing around it. Can be collected without falling.

The foreign matter remaining in the foreign matter collecting means 25 may be taken out of the pressure-sensitive housing by, for example, the following method. What is necessary is just to form the hole which communicates with the exterior of the pressure reduction housing through the inside of the foreign substance removal means 24a from the surface containing the part which collects the foreign substances in the foreign substance collection means 25, and it will take out by suction from the exterior of the pressure reduction housing. In addition, according to the method mentioned later, the foreign material after collection can be taken out of the pressure reduction housing, maintaining the pressure reduction state.

If the removed aggregate falls when removing the aggregate adhered to the ceiling of the window portion 17a or the decompression housing around the window portion 17a, it falls in the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 from the bath opening 16a located below the window portion 17a. There exists a possibility of mixing in the molten glass which distributes the pressure reduction degassing tank 12. When the aggregate mixes in the molten glass which distributes the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, it becomes a foreign material of a molten glass.

By using the foreign substance removal means 24a in which the foreign matter collection means 25 was formed, the molten glass which distribute | circulates the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 when removing the aggregate adhered to the ceiling part of the pressure-sensitive housing of the window part 17a and its surroundings The aggregate can be prevented from mixing.

Collection of the removed aggregate may be difficult depending on the size, hardness, adhesion strength, viscosity, and the like of the aggregate attached to the window portion 17a and the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing around the window 17a. In such a case, the lower end of the foreign matter removing means 24a may have a shape suitable for removing the aggregate. Specific examples of shapes suitable for removing aggregates include a screw shape, a flat plate shape similar to a spatula, a needle shape with a tapered tip, a shape similar to a saw, and the like.

Moreover, what is necessary is just to perform the process of collecting the agglomerate adhering to the said window part or its peripheral part using the said foreign matter collection means, when the collection of agglomerates is needed in the vacuum degassing of a molten glass.

In FIG. 2, although the window opening part 21 is formed in the vicinity of the left end part of the transparent window 19a, the position of the window opening part formed in a transparent window is not limited to this. For example, a window opening may be formed near the right end of the window 19a, or a window opening may be formed near the center of the window 19a. Moreover, you may provide a window opening part in the vicinity of the front edge part and the inner edge part about a figure. However, when the window opening is formed in the vicinity of the center of the window 19a, the stopper made of a heat-resistant rubber that closes the window opening and the foreign matter removing means inserted in the stopper monitor the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, Since there is a risk of obstruction when operating the foreign matter removal means while looking at the internal state from the window 19a, the vicinity of the side end of the transparent window 19a (near the left end, near the right end, near the front end with respect to the drawing, or It is preferable to form a window opening in the inner end vicinity).

Moreover, when monitoring the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, the stopper 22 of the heat resistant rubber which closes the window opening 21, and the foreign material removal means 24a inserted in the stopper 22 are obstructed. In order to prevent that, the window 19a having the window opening 21 is preferably detachable in a state in which the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 is kept at a reduced pressure.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a configuration in which the window 19a having the window opening 21 is detachable in a state in which the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 is kept at a reduced pressure. In the structure of FIG. 3, the ball valve 26 which can be opened and closed during operation of a pressure reduction degassing apparatus is formed below the window 19a. In addition, when setting the window 19a of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 to the structure of FIG. 3, it is preferable to set it as the window 19b and the structure of FIG.

In the configuration of FIG. 3, at the time of normal operation, the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is provided by providing the window portion 17a with a transparent window having no window opening, such as the windows 190a and 190b of FIG. 5. It can be easily monitored. When removing the aggregate attached to the ceiling portion of the window portion 17a or the decompression housing around the window 17a, the window opening is not provided in the state in which the ball valve 26 is closed in order to keep the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 in a reduced pressure state. After removing the transparent window from the window portion 17a, the window having the foreign matter removing means, that is, the opening portion 21, and the stopper 22 made of heat-resistant rubber is inserted into the window opening 21, and the plug What is necessary is just to open the ball valve 26 after attaching the window 19a in which the foreign material removal means 24a was inserted in the window part 17a to the window part 17a.

In addition, by applying the configuration of FIG. 3 to the suction opening 20 for maintaining the inside of the pressure reduction housing 11 in a reduced pressure state, the aggregates attached to the ceiling of the suction opening 20 or the pressure reduction housing in the vicinity thereof can be removed. It may be. Moreover, by using the ball valve 26, the foreign matter remaining in the foreign matter collection means 25 and the foreign matter collection means 25 after collection can be taken out directly out of the pressure reduction housing while maintaining a reduced pressure state.

In addition, in order to prevent a part of aggregate from falling into a molten glass, and to become a foreign material at the time of removing aggregate, you may provide the shutter for fall prevention in the opening part of a tank opening part.

Hereinafter, the component of the vacuum degassing apparatus of this invention other than the window part of this invention, a foreign material removal means, and a foreign material collection means is demonstrated.

In the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, since the pressure reduction degassing tank 12, the rising pipe 13, and the downfall pipe 14 are the conduits of molten glass G, heat resistance and corrosion resistance with respect to a molten glass It is produced using this excellent material. For example, it is a hollow tube made of platinum or a platinum alloy, a cylindrical tube, and other cylindrical tube of each shape. Specific examples of the platinum alloy include a platinum-gold alloy and a platinum-rhodium alloy. Another example is a hollow tube, a cylindrical tube made of ceramic-based nonmetallic inorganic material, that is, a dense refractory material, and a cylindrical tube of each shape. As a specific example of a dense refractory material, for example, electric pole refractory materials, such as an alumina pole refractories, a zirconia pole pole refractory, an alumina- zirconia-silica pole pole refractory, and a dense alumina base refractory, a dense zirconia-silica refractory body And dense calcined refractory materials such as dense alumina-zirconia-silica refractory materials. The pressure reduction housing 11 which accommodates the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 and accommodates a part of the uprising pipe 13 and the downfalling pipe 14 is metal, for example, stainless steel.

The dimension of each component of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 of this invention can be suitably selected as needed. The size of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 does not depend on whether the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is a platinum agent, a platinum alloy, or a dense refractory agent, and uses the shape of the pressure reduction defoaming apparatus 12 and the pressure reduction defoaming tank 12 used It can select suitably according to. In the case of the cylindrical pressure reduction degassing tank 12 shown in FIG. 1, an example of the dimension is as follows.

? Length in the horizontal direction: 1? 20 m

? Inner diameter: 0.2? 3 m (cross section)

When the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is made of platinum or a platinum alloy, it is preferable that thickness is 4 mm or less, More preferably, it is 0.5? 1.2 mm.

The pressure reduction degassing tank is not limited to the cylindrical shape of cross section circular shape, The cross-sectional shape may be an elliptical or semi-circular substantially cylindrical shape, or the cross section may be a rectangular cylindrical shape.

The rising pipe 13 and the falling pipe 14 can be suitably selected according to the pressure reduction defoaming apparatus to be used, regardless of whether it is a platinum agent, a platinum alloy agent, or a dense refractory agent. For example, in the case of the vacuum degassing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1, an example of the dimension of the uprising pipe 13 and the downfalling pipe 14 is as follows.

? Inner diameter: 0.05? 0.8 m, more preferably 0.1? 0.6 m

? Length: 0.2? 6 m, more preferably 0.4? 4 m

In the case where the rising pipe 13 and the falling pipe 14 are made of platinum or a platinum alloy, the thickness is 0.4? It is preferable that it is 5 mm, More preferably, it is 0.6? 4 mm.

The vacuum degassing method of the molten glass using the vacuum degassing apparatus of this invention can be performed on the conditions similar to the vacuum degassing method of the conventional molten glass. For example, at the time of performing vacuum degassing | defoaming, the inside of the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is 1100 degreeC? 1600 ° C., especially 1150 ° C.? It is preferable to heat so that it may become a temperature range of 1500 degreeC. The inside of the vacuum degassing tank 12 is 38? It is preferable to depressurize to 460 mmHg (51 to 613 hPa), More preferably, it is 60? It is preferable to depressurize to 350 mmHg (80-467 hPa).

Moreover, the flow volume of the molten glass G which distributes the pressure reduction degassing tank 12 is 1? 2000 tons / day is preferable in terms of productivity.

It is preferable that the molten-glass manufacturing method using the vacuum degassing method of this invention is equipped with a raw material melting process as a previous process of the vacuum degassing method of this invention, and a molding process is provided as a post process. This raw material melting process should just be a conventionally well-known thing, for example, It is a process of melting a raw material by heating to about 1400 degreeC or more according to the kind of glass, for example. The raw material to be used is not particularly limited as long as it is a raw material suitable for the glass to be produced. For example, raw materials obtained by combining conventionally known ones such as silica sand, boric acid, limestone, etc. according to the composition of the final glass product can be used. You may contain it. Moreover, this molding process should just be a conventionally well-known thing, for example, A float molding process, a roll out molding process, a fusion molding process, etc. are mentioned, for example. The glass after molding is annealed by a slow cooling means so as not to leave residual stress inside the glass solidified after molding (slow cooling step), further cut as necessary (cutting step), or else through a polishing step as necessary. It becomes a glass product. In addition, a slow cooling process, a cutting process, and a grinding | polishing process are well-known techniques.

The molten glass manufactured by this invention is not restrict | limited in composition as long as it is glass manufactured by the heat-melting method. Therefore, an alkali free glass may be sufficient and alkali glass, such as soda-lime silica type glass and alkali borosilicate glass represented by soda-lime glass, may be sufficient. The present invention is particularly suitable for producing alkali-free glass, and further, alkali-free glass for liquid crystal display substrates.

Moreover, according to this invention, since the glass product excellent in bubble quality can be obtained, it is suitable as a manufacturing method of glass products, such as a glass substrate for FPD.

Industrial availability

According to the vacuum degassing apparatus for glass manufacture of this invention, the state of the molten glass in a pressure reduction degassing tank is observed and monitored from the said window part at any time, and the operation state of a pressure reduction degassing apparatus can be grasped | acquired correctly, and it was formed in the ceiling part of a pressure reduction housing. In order to remove the condensate of the gas component from the molten glass attached to the ceiling of the window or the surrounding pressure reducing housing, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the vacuum degassing apparatus, so that the productivity of the glass and the yield of the glass product are improved. Therefore, it is useful about production of the glass which requires the pressure reduction defoaming treatment.

According to the present invention, when the aggregates are removed from the ceiling or the ceiling of the pressure-sensitive housing in the vicinity of the window portion by using the foreign matter removing means having the foreign matter collecting means, the removed aggregates fall on the molten glass surface flowing in the pressure-sensitive housing, It is useful for the production of glass that requires a reduced pressure defoaming treatment because it can be prevented from being mixed into the glass and becoming a foreign matter of the molten glass, and the quality of the glass product to be produced can be improved.

In addition, all the content of the JP Patent application 2009-146513, the claim, drawing, and the abstract for which it applied on June 19, 2009 is referred here, and it introduces as an indication of this invention.

10, 100: vacuum degassing apparatus
11, 110: pressure reducing housing
12, 120: vacuum degassing tank
13, 130: riser
14, 140: down pipe
15, 150: insulation
Jaw openings: 16a, 16b, 160a, 160b
17a, 17b, 170a, 170b: window part
18a, 18b, 18c, 180a, 180b: housing opening
19a, 19b, 19c, 190a, 190b: transparent window
20, 200: suction opening
21: window opening
22: stopper of heat-resistant rubber
23: hole
24a, 24b: foreign matter removal means
25: foreign matter collection means
26: ball valve
300: dissolution tank
320: upstream feet
340: downstream feet
G: molten glass

Claims (9)

A pressure reduction degassing vessel formed in the pressure reduction housing to be suctioned under reduced pressure, the pressure reduction degassing tank for performing vacuum degassing of the molten glass, and the pressure reduction degassing tank, and are formed to introduce the molten glass before the pressure reduction degassing into the pressure reduction degassing tank. As a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass which is connected to the said introduction means and the said pressure reduction degassing tank, and has the derivation means which derives the molten glass after pressure reduction defoaming from the said pressure reduction defoaming tank,
At least one tank opening part is formed in the ceiling part of the said vacuum degassing tank,
At least one window part is formed in the ceiling part of the said pressure reduction housing for pairing with the said tank opening part, and monitoring the inside of the said pressure reduction degassing tank,
The window portion is composed of a housing opening formed in the ceiling of the decompression housing, and a transparent window fitted into the housing opening,
The transparent window has a window opening, the window opening is closed by a heat-resistant rubber stopper, the heat-resistant rubber stopper has a hole oriented in the same direction as the window opening, and a metal rod shape in the hole. The foreign matter removal means which consists of members is inserted, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass characterized by the above-mentioned. A pressure reduction degassing vessel formed in the pressure reduction housing to be suctioned under reduced pressure, the pressure reduction degassing tank for performing vacuum degassing of the molten glass, and the pressure reduction degassing tank, and are formed to introduce the molten glass before the pressure reduction degassing into the pressure reduction degassing tank. As a pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass which is connected to the said introduction means and the said pressure reduction degassing tank, and has the derivation means which derives the molten glass after pressure reduction defoaming from the said pressure reduction defoaming tank,
At least one tank opening part is formed in the ceiling part of the said vacuum degassing tank,
At least one window part is formed in the ceiling part of the said pressure reduction housing at the position which matches the position of the said tank opening in the horizontal direction,
The window portion is composed of a housing opening formed in the ceiling of the decompression housing, and a transparent window fitted into the housing opening,
The transparent window has a window opening, the window opening is closed by a heat-resistant rubber stopper, the heat-resistant rubber stopper has a hole oriented in the same direction as the window opening, and a metal rod shape in the hole. The foreign matter removal means which consists of members is inserted, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass characterized by the above-mentioned. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The degassing apparatus of the molten glass, The foreign material collection means is formed in the edge part of the side of the metal rod-shaped member which exists in the said pressure reduction housing of the foreign material removal means. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The transparent window which has the said window opening part is removable in the state which kept the inside of the said pressure reduction housing in a reduced pressure state, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass characterized by the above-mentioned. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said heat resistant rubber stopper consists of at least 1 sort (s) chosen from the group of silicone rubber and fluororubber, The pressure reduction defoaming apparatus of the molten glass characterized by the above-mentioned. The pressure reduction defoaming method of the molten glass using the vacuum degassing apparatus of the molten glass of any one of Claims 1-5. A method of vacuum degassing a molten glass using the vacuum degassing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least any one of the following steps (1) and (2). Vacuum defoaming method.
(1) Process of removing the aggregate attached to the said window part or its peripheral part using the said foreign matter removal means.
(2) A step of removing the aggregate attached to the window portion or the peripheral portion thereof by using the foreign matter removing means, and collecting the removed aggregate by the foreign matter collecting means. The molten glass manufacturing method using the vacuum degassing method of Claim 6 or 7. The pressure reduction defoaming process by the pressure reduction defoaming method of Claim 6 or 7, and the raw material melting process as a previous process of the pressure reduction defoaming process, the shaping process as a post process of the pressure reduction defoaming process, and the post-process of the shaping process A method for producing a glass article having a slow cooling process.

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